writing – Page 18 – Jean's Writing

Write like a professional, get the chapters right

Published on April 3, 2018April 5, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell30 Comments

By getting the word count right. How?

Scene by scene.

I’ve written in the past about the word count for books but a book is made up of chapters. And chapters are made up of scenes.

A mixture of really short and really long chapters may give your reader a case of whiplash. Make sure that doesn’t happen.

There is nothing wrong with varying chapter length or writing a book with all short chapters, but I’d avoid the extreme. Scenes set the pace and like stepping stones lead your reader through the book.

Randy Ingermanson on Advanced Fiction Writing, reminds us to think SCENES not CHAPTERS.

Controlling Chapter Lengths in Your Novel

Things from his post I want to remember:

Chapters are stepping stones to take the reader through your book.
Chapters consist and are controlled by SCENES.
Varying scene length is okay. But be consistent.
A good average word count for a scene is 1000-1500.
- A little more or a little less the Keyword is average.
A good scene count for a chapter is driven by the scenes.
My writing style dictates the word count for scenes.
Chapter word count is determined by the number of chapters in the book.
- 70,000 ÷ 3,000 = 23 chapters
- 70,000 ÷ 2,000 = 28 chapters
- ? ÷? =? chapters (you do the math.)
Don’t pad a scene with words just for the sake of the count.
Only add words to a scene that move the story forward.

Be sure and click on Randy’s link above and read his article. He has lots more to say about writing scenes that add up to a book.

Do you think in scenes when writing a chapter?

What do you think is a good length for a chapter?

Do you write the scenes first and then divide up into chapters?

Have a tip about finding that chapter/scene balance? Do share.

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Unique, beautiful or strange; how do you select the best name?

Published on March 27, 2018April 5, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell18 Comments

Naming characters can be hard. Is for me. I worry over them like newborn babes.

So…

Just how important is choosing the right name?

Turns out very! That is if you want to write memorable characters. No writer wants their readers to go whats-his-name killed whois.No, we want our characters to come alive on paper. Well, how do we select really good names? I don’t know all the answers but Anne R. Allen wrote a post…

10 Tips for Finding Memorable Character Names for your Fiction

In her post, she gives us ten things to consider when selecting names.

Name only star players.
- I love this tip. A delivery guy is just a delivery guy.
Don’t confuse readers with same sounding names.
Don’t change names in the middle of the story.
- Nickname? State it up front and go with it. I need to give this some thought.
Make sure the name fits the century.
Check the spelling and name is familiar in the country, state you’re writing about.
Don’t make up fake names unless writing fantasy.
- Only works for fake worlds.
Run your chosen names through Google.
- Good advice. Don’t want the name to be a real person living around the corner.
Avoid overused names.
- Hmm, may have a problem here. Got work to do.
Try name generators.
- I like Scrivener generator but there are several on the web.
- Check the obituaries for a cool name.
If you decide to change a name mid-stride of your WIP, do a search and replace to catch each one.

I believer her tips could also apply to places.

Click on Anne’s link above and read her entire post, she gives a lot more information and a few great resource links.

Well? What did you think?

Do you need to change a characters name?

Think you are better prepared to select a name?

Do you have any good tips to share for picking the perfect name?

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How to write a good one-sentence pitch

Published on March 22, 2018April 10, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell18 Comments

Don’t you just love how-to writing instructions?

I know I do!

You must admit, DIY is a lot easier with a little help from friends.

Working Men cartoon characters Jeanswriting.com

That’s why I absolutely love an article from Karen Cioffi and Writers On The Move!

I admit, writing a one-sentence pitch is hard and something I’ve yet to completely agree. But I keep working on it. That’s why I was so excited to read this easy explanation of what does and does not work. And why!

When selecting a book to read, the first thing I read is the pitch. If that is too confusing or convoluted I pass. Why? Because that pitch is a good indicator the story inside will be more of the same.

Karen gives examples of how and how not to write a pitch/logline for your book. She explains why one is so important and even gives us a formula. I just love formulas.

Be sure and click on the link below and write your one-sentence pitch.

The One Sentence Pitch for Your Manuscript

Got it?

What did you think?

Did her tips help you write a better pitch?

Now you show me yours and I’ll show you mine. Ha Ha. Me Bitmoji Tee hee Jean M Cogdell

All kidding aside, share your pitch in the comments I’d love to read it.

Here is a one-sentence pitch/logline for my WIP. Here goes…

An aspiring author is thrilled when she meets a literary agent and mystery buff who agrees to become her mentor; thrills turn to chills when the agent shares a story plot about two women who get away with murder – a fictional plot, the agent plans to become a reality with the writers help.

What do you think? Be gentle, I bruise easily.

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What is the best word for restaurant?

Published on March 20, 2018April 5, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Do you use the best word to describe an eatery?

Like everything else in the world, one word doesn’t fit every location. And that includes where your characters choose to have a meal. I mean how many times can you write “they went to a restaurant?”

If you’ve followed my blog very long, you know I love lists.

I make lists for everything. Grocery lists, to-do lists, bills due, birthday lists, belated birthday lists, and then there are my writing lists. Like special words lists, descriptive words, adjectives, character lists, names to consider, see I love lists.

The problem is I often forget a list. Like arriving at the grocery store and leaving my must-have list on the fridge.

The good thing about writing is so many of errors can be fixed or changed during rewrite and edits. Thank God for rewrites! Or not. Wish I were a great writer that could spew prose like a whale clearing its blowhole. One and done. No rewrite needed! Now that would be something.

Well, I’ve rambled on enough. Without further ado here is another list for you guys. Thanks to my favorite Ape sharing a great writing tip sheet, by Mark Nichol, listing a lot of different words for a restaurant. Click on the link below to read all 60.