Tag: writing

Let me entertain you

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell

Are you looking to entertain or win a Pultizer?

A big shout out of thanks to Kristen Lamb for reminding me of my goal. I want to entertain you, to make you my readers smile, cringe, laugh or cry. But above all be entertained. As a lover of books, I want my readers to one day love something I’ve written.

In my effort to achieve this goal I often found myself in a ditch on the side of the road, out in the middle of nowhere, wondering how I ended up so far off course. The answer was simple. I’d taken another detour. Insteading of writing I’d become distracted with “fixing“.

Detours fill my Inbox daily, many with wonderful writing tips from successful authors and some well meaning writers. But as Kristen points out so many of these tips should be held for after the first draft is finished.

So back to my drawing board, I mean my keyboard. I need to reve my engine, get my juices flowing and remind myself to go fast and faster. Should I fall off the edge it will only hurt for a short time. Failing to finish hurts longer. Fast and Furious! Maybe I’ll finish.

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Happy Hour

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments
We’ve all joked about having a stiff one at the end of the day. And I’m sure most of you know Jimmy Buffett’s popular song, “It’s five o’clock somewhere”.
Today it’s time to get drunk. Life can be hard and life can be fun, if you’re drunk it doesn’t matter. Yes, you heard me right. So, I’m gonna dust myself off and grab the gusto while I still can.
Pick a passion, grab it with both hands and hold on for dear life. The word drunk means intoxicated, and under the influence but not just on margaritas. Think of who and what influences you every day. The people, or things that put a smile on your face and help you make it through the night. Then get drunk on life.
My thanks to Flash Fiction Chronicles for reminding me to look for these things today and for the thought provoking works of Charles Baudelaire.
Be Drunk
 
translated by Louis Simpson
You have to be always drunk. That’s all there is to it—it’s the only way.
So as not to feel the horrible burden of time that breaks your back and bends you to the earth, you have to be continually drunk.
But on what? Wine, poetry or virtue, as you wish. But be drunk.
And if sometimes, on the steps of a palace or the green grass of a ditch, in the mournful solitude of your room, you wake again, drunkenness already diminishing or gone, ask the wind, the wave, the star, the bird, the clock, everything that is flying, everything that is groaning, everything that is rolling, everything that is singing, everything that is speaking. Ask what time it is and wind, wave, star, bird, clock will answer you: “It is time to be drunk! So as not to be the martyred slaves of time, be drunk, be continually drunk! On wine, on poetry or on virtue as you wish.”
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Springtime in Texas

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments
I sat in the bleachers watching him walk from the dugout carrying a red and silver bat almost as long as he was tall.
My breath caught as the ball flew over home plate.
Flinching, I clenched my fist in anger as the deep voice of the umpire’s call echoed through the air.
In the stands I mumured a prayer, bit my lip and watched my small man stood his ground.

The next ball went flying through the air, and my grandson around the bases toward home as I shouted untill my voice became but a whisper.

This was my contribution to Five Sentence Fiction. If you would like to join in the fun just click on the link.

Five Sentence Fiction – Home

Jun 12, 2013 ~ 1 Comment ~ Written by lillie
What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week I will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.
This week: HOME
Photo by Bina Sareen photography
Jean M Cogdell    Photo by Bina Sareen photography

 

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The Antagonist Part One–Introducing the Big Boss Troublemaker

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

One of the best writing tips I’ve read in a long time on the Antagonist for your story by Kristen Lamb. A must read for Writers

Author Kristen Lamb's avatarKristen Lamb's Blog

Conflict is the core ingredient to fiction, even literary fiction. Conflict in any novel can have many faces and often you will hear this referred to as the antagonist. The antagonist is absolutely essential for fiction. He/she/it is the engine of your story. No engine, and no forward momentum. Like cars, plots need momentum or they are dead. The antagonist provides the energy to move the story forward. Yet, the antagonist has many, many faces and that is what trips up most new writers.

Think of your antagonist like ice cream–infinite colors, flavors, and complexities. The antagonist is not always evil. Villains are only a flavor of antagonist, much like chocolate is only one flavor of ice cream. And, even in chocolate, there are still limitless varieties. Guess what? Same with villains. We’ll talk about them later.

This series is to explore the many facets of the most important element in…

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