writing – Page 55 – Jean's Writing

How to add sizzle and sparkle

Published on November 23, 2015November 19, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell

Is your writing sometimes too vanilla?

I’m not talking about ice cream. Although Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla is my all time favorite. Not everyone likes that flavor. When it comes to writing as a reader, I prefer a little more spice, action and color.

With just a few changes turn that vanilla into Rocky Road.

Sometimes it’s hard to add tasty, sizzling descriptions without bogging everything down in purple prose. No one wants something that is all purple.

Instead, we want to see a kaleidoscope of color.

Words that paint a picture bright and cheery or dark and threatening can be as effective as a 3D movie. Readers want the sparkle that keeps them turning the pages.

Do you ever have problems keeping the rhythm of your writing from slowing to a boring waltz? I do. Now don’t get me wrong, I love a beautiful waltz, and done right can be exciting and romantic.

But listening to elevator music will eventually put me to sleep, and so too will our readers.

This post over at Copy Blogger, is a great reminder to keep the razzle, dazzle, sparkle in our writing to the delight of our readers.

4 Delightful Editing Tips to Make Your Words Dazzle and Dance by HENNEKE

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Are you Timid, Nervous or Couragous?

Published on November 20, 2015November 19, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell8 Comments

I’ll admit, I fall somewhere between Timid Tammy and Nervous Nell.

For a positive, happy person, blowing my own horn is not easy. I don’t like to ask for help or favors. I’m a terrible salesperson. I believe in me, but the idea that others might find value in what I’ve accomplished sounds a bit far-fetched.

Hiding behind a computer screen is a lot easier than speaking face-to-face with a group of strangers. I fumble with “the ask.”

I even found it difficult to help my daughter sell her Girl Scout Cookies. Now that’s just plain pitiful. I mean, who can’t sell GS cookies. Everyone loves them. But I ended up buying more than we sold. Of course loving the Peanutbutter patties helped.

I wonder, do all authors get a case of the jitters when it comes to selling their work?

Surely, I’m not the only writer out there who fears rejection. Maybe I’m not the only one who relates to the Lion in Oz.

I’m curious. Let me know where and how did you market your book?

Did you go to a local bookstore? Library? Call all your friends and relatives?

Spatter Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media sites?

What was your experience? Are you a good salesperson?

I found this article very encouraging, I hope you do too.

Opinion: Asking Takes Courage posted on ALLI November 16, 2015 by Mohana Rajakumar

Talk to me in the comments and please remember to check me out at my @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!

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How to join in the holiday rush

Published on November 19, 2015June 7, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell9 Comments

I’d love to have a little of that holiday rush head my way.

Now don’t shoot the messenger. I know Thanksgiving comes first and I share your frustration with all the decorations flooding the stores earlier and earlier every year.

snowman holidays

However, thinking about when and how should we market our books take a lot of planning.

A big thank you goes to Nicholas C. Rossis for sending me the link to the article by Taylor at Written Word Media.

If you are wondering when to start, to click on the following link.

Holiday Book Marketing: An Author’s Guide to Black Friday and Beyond

These are great tips on when and how you might want to focus marketing your book.

Are you going to release, or market your book on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

To discount or not to discount?

These are important questions and Taylor gives us the answer.

So what are your plans? Or have you given it much thought?

Share your thoughts in the comments section. Please follow me at @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!

And don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Do you want paper or electronic?

Published on November 18, 2015November 16, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

Remember the question, “Paper or plastic?”

What does this have to do with reading and writing?

Because I don’t believe hardback or paperback books are going the way of the dinosaurs.

I’ve two daughters, two son-in-laws, and five grandchildren. Although, they each have e-readers everyone of them prefers paper books to ebooks. They like the feel of a book. They all enjoy browsing the library stacks and bookstore shelves.