Tag: writing tips

One of the best explanations about ISBN

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell

You read right.

This article provides the best argument and explanation I’ve ever read about why you need to buy an ISBN.

DNA Strand
DNA Strand

Every writer wants to know the difference in a Free ISBN and a Purchased ISBN. Well, now you have it.

One authorized place to purchase an ISBN is at Bowker.com.

Click and read a terrific article on ISBN for your books…

An ISBN is a birth certificate for your book

Where do you stand on ISBN? Free or Purchased?

 

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Want to know how to shorten the road to novel publication?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

Try your hand at writing Flash. 

You heard right. Writing Flash can ease the way to publication.

 

For one, writing snippets of fiction can help you finish that novel and make much-needed contacts in the industry.

 

Have you written a good flash piece? Submitted it for publication? Print or eZine? 

BECCA PUGLISI from Writers Helping Writers,  article link below, shares 5 ways writing and submitting flash fiction can shorten the road to novel publication.

My take away on the benefits of writing flash…

  • Exposes you to editors.
  • Win or lose, contacts with industry professionals is invaluable.
  • Flash comes in many forms. Fiction, non-fiction, and memoirs.
  • Writing flash is good practice.
  • A Flash story can be expanded to a full novel.

Read Becca’s entire article and get the nitty-gritty about writing Flash stories. 

What Can Flash Fiction Do For Novel Writers?

 

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How to brainstorm an outline easy and painless

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

We brainstorm ideas all the time. But what about the outline?

I have to admit, outlining a story stops my creative process cold.

Tell me to produce an outline and instant flashbacks to grade school haunt my mind. Yuck! Until now, nothing has helped my phobia of outlines.

It all starts with Brainstorming.

If you too have an adverse reaction to outlines, keep reading. Because Joanna Penn gave me the help I needed and hopefully you’ll get a few good tips to help your aversion too.

What I learned from Joanna Penn…

  • Brainstorming helps you outline. (Who knew?)
  • Think of outlining as a writing recipe. A way to organize your thoughts. (this was an AH HA moment for me.)
  • Brainstorming is throwing out ideas and seeing which ones stick. (Freeing.)
  • There are 6 different styles. (Find yours, I’m number 6.)
    • Joanna gives steps for each style.
  • Finding your specific style will help plan/outline your novel.
  • And… Bullet points are my friend. 

Click the link below and find out what style do you use to write.

Now tell me…

Which style did you relate to?

Do you outline before you write?

How do you plan a book? 

 

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Writing Tips: Learn to Love Outlining by Finding Your Unique Planning Style by 

Click image to read an excerpt…

How to overcome your fear

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

Well, it’s Halloween again and scary things are heading your way.

But do you really need to open the door to find scary things that instill fear?

No, not me. All I have to do is walk over to my desk. 

Because, if you’re a writer, you live with fear. At least I do. Fear of failure, and fear of success. Yep, that’s right. Sitting down at the keyboard is a whole other kind of fear.

 

Is it really fear of writing or is it fear of failure?

Do you suffer from Graphophobia, Scriptophobia, Achievemephobia,  Atychiphobia or some other phobia?

Oh yeah, there is a phobia for everything.

Scriptophobia, fear of writing (in public, class, etc.). I believe a writer can feel this fear because we are expecting someone, someday to read what we’ve written. ie… public.

Graphophobia, fear of handwriting. Okay, this one is a stretch for writers. But, hey you never know, so I threw it in for good measure.

Achievemephobia, fear of success. Hmm, yeah sometimes this does bother me. How would my life change if I wrote a bestselling book? I’m not a big people person, preferring the quiet of my home to a convention floor.

But first I, and maybe you must get over the biggest fear.

Achievemephobia, the fear of failure. If there is a writer anywhere in the world that hasn’t felt a fear of failure at one point in their life, I’d love to meet them.

So, according to Mark Twain, it’s okay to be afraid but not okay to let fear stop us. 

Doesn’t matter what you call it, we can overcome any fear including finishing that manuscript.

How? One word at a time.

What is your biggest fear?

What fear keeps you from writing?

What fear stops you from succeeding?

 

Want to read more about phobias, and how to overcome the fear of writing? Click links at the end of this post.

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3 Tricks to Overcome Your Fear of Writing by 

10 Ways to Harness Fear and Fuel Your Writing By:  

Writers Anxiety 

 Overcoming Fear of Failure – Facing Your Fear of Moving Forward

Fear of Writing Phobia – Graphophobia or Scriptophobia