writing – Page 23 – Jean's Writing

How to speed up your word count

Published on November 6, 2017November 3, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this month?

Well, congrats! You’re a week in now.

Not doing NaNoWriMo but still, need to write a lot more words every day?

Although I’m not participating this year, I’m here to cheer you on! And to help you up that word count, check out this post by Louise Foerster.

Ways to Thrive During NaNoWriMo: Bolstering Word Count

When the clock is ticking, and your muse isn’t talking, this article may help move your story along.

What I gleaned from this article?

All you need is words, so type some.
Remember a good editor can fix a lot of mistakes.
Use techniques and tools other writers have provided.
- What tools or techniques?
- Quotes from other publications. Prose, comments, verses or documents.
- Send your characters into the world and show what they see and hear. Don’t forget to add their reactions.
- Let your characters talk. You never know what they might say or where it will lead.
- Use cringeworthy tricks.
  - You have to read her article for these.

Like I said, I’m not doing NaNoWriMo but, I plan on using some of her ideas for my writing.

What do you think? Are these tips helpful?

Do you need to write faster?

I really want to know so leave me a comment.

Also, if you can please stop by my other locations and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

OR CLICK THE “WRITE ME” TAB AND SEND ME AN EMAIL.

Do you have fun being you?

Published on October 18, 2017October 18, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell8 Comments

Do you enjoy practicing your creativity?

Well, time to practice and have fun at the same time.

Because we’ve all heard practice makes perfect, right?

Maybe you’re like me and always equated practice with drudgery. Not fun. Trust me, anyone mentions I need to use my treadmill for anything other than hanging laundry and we’re gonna have to talk. Not gonna happen.

But if we practice what we love, what we enjoy, what makes us happy that puts a whole different spin on the concept. Too bad I don’t enjoy running.

The point is, don’t let your writing become work or an exercise you dread waiting until inspiration strikes. That spark from your muse may not show up each and every day but you can still enjoy your talent and the art of becoming a writer. At least according to Kurt Vonnegut.

What did I learn from her article?

Not writing makes me miserable, so write something, anything.
Writing doesn’t have to be hard unless I make it difficult.
Every time I string words together, I’m practicing. WOW.
Enjoy the trip, not the destination.
Stop comparing myself to others.

Now I’m gonna go practice becoming a writer. What about you?

I hope you enjoy the following encouraging article as much as I did.

Click and read…

This 2-Word Quote From Writer Kurt Vonnegut Will Change the Way You Work Jessica Stillman/Oct 11, 2017

What did you think about Vonnegut’s two words of encouragement?

Are you practicing becoming?

Tell me what you think, I’m interested.

I’d love it if you’d stop by my other locations and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

OR CLICK THE “WRITE ME” TAB AND SEND ME AN EMAIL.

How to avoid a scam? Pay attention and read

Published on October 9, 2017October 10, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell22 Comments

Don’t skim emails, read carefully and you can avoid big mistakes.

Thanks to Terry Ambrose I realized October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

Why is this important?

Because those little ghosts and goblins ringing your bell this month aren’t the only spooky gremlins out to trick you. Nope.

There are hackers are lurking in our inboxes, on web browsers and social media just waiting to pounce.

So pay attention people.

Keep your computer security updated. Remember what happened when Equifax put off updating theirs when alerted? Yikes!

I know it is so overwhelming. Write blogs, read blogs, read and sort emails, pay bills, and in-between all of that finish the damn novel. I’m tired just writing this to-do list. Well a few days ago up popped on my computer screen these dreaded words, WARNING YOUR SECURITY HAS BEEN BREACHED SHUT DOWN AND UPDATE.

I have no idea what I clicked on! But I spent the rest of that day updating and cleaning up files, not writing.

But back to the post by Terry Ambrose. His great post came a day late for me but is a great humorous reminder that we just need to pay attention.

So, hop over and read

McKenna’s Take by Terry Ambrose

His reminder, to stay alert and pay attention, will make you smile.

Now tell me…

Did you know that October was NCSM?

Is your computer secure? Need to check on that? I’ll wait.

Do you click and scan emails or read carefully before clicking from unknown senders?

Has your computer been infected recently?

My inquiring mind wants to know…

Here are additional links to read more about Cyber Security Month.

Inception of National Cyber Security in 2004

Cyber Security Awareness Planning Toolkit

October is a spooky month for cybersecurity awareness

I’d love it if you’d stop by my other locations and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

OR CLICK THE “WRITE ME” TAB AND SEND ME AN EMAIL.

How many words can one person write in a day?

Published on September 27, 2017September 27, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell24 Comments

Are you just too busy to write that dang book?

Seems like my summer passed in a flash and I got diddly squat accomplished. That’s Southern for not much.

cat laptop

Then along comes an article that made my jaw drop.

How I Write 10,000 Words Per Day, Every Day by Nicolas Cole

Now, while his tips and advice are worth noting, who the hell is going to do my laundry while I write 10,000 words a day?

He is one organized dude. God, I wish I was half as organized as he is. Just reading his schedule made me tired. Is it my nap time yet?

working

Okay, maybe he has a point. Maybe turn off my phone (but what if one of the kids needs me?) and turn off social media (but I’ll miss all the cute cat memes) I might get more writing done.

But….

Never mind you don’t want to hear all of my excuses. What about you?