Tag: writing

Do you know how to write a book review?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell81 Comments

I must confess, writing a book review is very hard for me.

You’d think as a writer, writing a book review would be easy. It’s not.

But reviews are as important to writers as water to fish. Writers need book reviews. The best way to get is to give.

So I set out to learn more about writing a good review.

I used to adhere to the old saying, “If you can’t say something good say nothing.”

Now I go with, “In everything, there is some good. Look for it.”girl-308360_640

When you write a review, it’s important to find that “something” good to say.

Even for books that aren’t my genre, and even for those that make me cringe, I search for something good to say.

Things to look for…

  • Did the title or the cover get your attention?
  • Identify the genre.
  • Identify the audience (age.)
  • Identify the Point of View.
  • Is there a theme or common thread throughout the story?
  • Does the book or authors style remind you of another’s?
  • Review don’t critique.
  • Were characters loveable, believable, scary, or memorable?

Information to include in a review…

  • Include the name of book and author as well as the length of the book.
  • An opening hook. (ask a question, give a hint, etc.)
  • What you enjoyed. (character, line, writing style, etc.)
  • Who might enjoy this type of book?
  • A short summary. But remember this is not a book report.
  • A wrap-up or closing. (If you didn’t particularly like the book, this is a good place to sandwich the bad with good.)

Review example:

(Author’s name) new book, (book title) is (what? funny, sad, moving, thrilling, haunting?) A (genre) in (where or time?) is about (what? war? girl? boy? love? death?)  It’s about (a brief summary.)

(who?) will enjoy reading (book title). I found this book to be (quick, detailed, engrossing, lengthy, informative, etc.) Readers who enjoy (genre) may like (title.)

Final tip:

If you’re unsure how to word your review, read other reviews in the same genre. Go to Amazon.com, Goodreads, or Barnes & Noble.com and read reviews until you are comfortable with the process.

So, do tell…

What advice can you offer to this struggling reviewer? 

Do you find writing book reviews easy or hard?

Keep reading, good articles below on the art of writing a review.

Click to write me or contact me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at  jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on and I’m waiting.

Please remember share this post with your Twitter peeps andFacebook fans.

How to Write a Book Review  by Bill Asenjo 

Writing a Book Review  Contributors: Allen Brizee

Book Review Writing Template  By 

How to keep your computer super organized and problem free

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell22 Comments

It’s Spring Cleaning time. Time to make sure your computer is running its best.

My computer has been a bit sluggish lately, so I guess it’s time to do a bit of housecleaning. (i.e., computer cleaning.)laptop_cleaningjpg

I hate cleaning of all kinds.

Housework is boring as is optimizing my computer. But, like dirty dishes, dirty unused files/programs make a mess.

As a writer, I love finding new programs. Too bad many of these programs don’t work as I expected. As a result, unused programs can clog up my system.

So, what to do?

  • Backup! Whether you use an external drive or an online service, backup your computer. I do this before I delete anything.
  • Go to Programs & Features, find outdated/unused programs and uninstall.
  • Update programs. Stop hitting update later when prompted to update programs you do use. Especially, the antivirus program.
  • Organize documents and files. Just like my closet, this area gets cluttered with things that don’t fit. Time to throw out outdated and unused files.
  • Defrag! This action will free up lots of space enabling your computer to work faster and more efficient.
  • I understand this will take most of your afternoon. However, better to do a little housekeeping than lose that 55,000 word novel in progress.
Below is a detailed article checklist to help you get started.

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Tell me, when was the last time you cleaned up your computer?

Do you have a set schedule for computer housekeeping?

I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! CLICK TO WRITE ME OR CONTACT ME ON TWITTER @JEANCOGDELL, FACEBOOK AT JEAN.COGDELLAND AMAZON.COM, STOP BY AND SAY HEY! THE LIGHTS ARE ON AND I’M WAITING.
PLEASE REMEMBER, SHARE THIS POST WITH YOUR TWITTER PEEPS ANDFACEBOOK FANS.

 

13 WAYS YOU’RE SCREWING UP YOUR COMPUTER 

Do you think blogging hurts or helps your writing?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell24 Comments

For me, the answer is both.

Do you see an end to blogging in your future?

crystal ball 2

I started my blog to practice and hone my skills. It had been years since I’d attempted to write anything other than professional documents and after reaching a point in my life where I had the time to indulge myself, I wanted to write for fun.

My blog evolved and changed as I met other writers/bloggers.

Has your blog changed since you began? Do you write more or less?

Thanks to many wonderful writers sharing their knowledge and skills, I began to gain some confidence. And I wanted to retain as much as possible.  began blogging about what this enormous community taught me. I must confess, blogging and linking back to y’all is my way of not only saying thanks but also preserving the information for myself.

In order to preserve this bounty of information, I began blogging about what this enormous community taught me.  So yes, blogging has taught me a lot about writing. However, the more time I dedicate to blogging the less time I dedicate to actually writing. That’s the hurting side of this two-edged sword.

Finding a balance is hard.

Life takes over and also makes its own demands on our time. 

Will there come a time when my blogging will reach an end? Probably. 

 

What about you? Do you see a change coming? Is your blogging days numbered?

Read the article below on today’s Speak Out Blog over at WOW by Sheila Good, and tell me what you see for the future.

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Friday Speak Out!: Is It Time to Stop Blogging?

by Sheila Good

 

Can you write like a man?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell14 Comments

Or if you’re a man, write like a woman?

Some slip between genders with ease. But for those of us who have to work a little harder, here is a great article by Janice Hardy.

For me, it couldn’t come at a better time, as I’m elbow deep in the companion book to A Most Reluctant Princess and need to get my mind in the head of a “little prince.”frog-prince-398828_640

So do tell, can you slip with ease between genders when you write?

Or do you need a little time to adjust your mindset?

Hope you get as much from her advice as I do.

Take it away Janice. Gender Bending: Writing a Different Gender Than Your Own

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.