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Description—How to Make Readers Fall In & Never Escape

Published on July 3, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell

Reading Kristen Lamb’s blog is like taking an online writing course that is jam packed with vital information.

Sidewalk chalk art near Regent’s Canal in London.

Today we’re going to address a topic that—GASP—I don’t believe we’ve ever covered in almost 800 blogs. Namely because it is a tricky one to address. We’re going to talk about description. For those who never use description or very sparse description? Don’t fret. That’s just your voice. Readers like me who looooove description will probably gravitate to other books and that is OKAY.

Personally, I’m not a fan of austere modern houses with stainless steel everything and weird chairs no human could sit in and most cats would avoid, but? There are plenty of people who dig it. I also don’t like a lot of knick-knacks and clutter. Makes me want to start cleaning.

Same with books. Not too little or too much. Yeah, I’m Literary Goldilocks.

Plain fact? We can’t please everyone. Description (or lack thereof) is a component of…

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Writers light your fireworks!

Published on July 2, 2014July 2, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell

English: Fireworks on the Fourth of July (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The fourth of July is a great time to set sparks flying and write a sizzling fireworks showstopper of your own.

Light up the sky, and stop those summer blahs from getting to you.

Your muse is gonna love the show.

Here is the website to help get those creative juices flowing and make this your hottest summer ever with a list of Fire Starters.

What are you reading?

Published on June 29, 2014June 29, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

In the spirit of David Abrams’s “Sunday Sentence” project, sharing the best sentence I’ve read during the past week, “out of context and without commentary.”

“The breeze eased its way through a window like a considerate guest wiping his feet before entering, bringing in the transitional smell that comes when windows are opened for the first time in the spring.”

Source: Dana King, A Small Sacrifice, A Shamus Nominated Nick Forte Mystery