writing – Page 57 – Jean's Writing

Need a good read for the weekend?

Published on November 12, 2015November 11, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

Well, I’ve got two for you!

First up, I received an advance copy of this book and boy am I glad.

The Knowing by Ninie Hammon is a hold on to your seat, gripping story that will give you nightmares.

She is the author of one of my all time favorite books, The Memorie Closet. Her new release The Knowing is just as amazing. Can’t wait for the next one.

Page one and I was hooked! Ripped from the headlines, this book is every parents nightmare, Shooter on campus of elementary school. The impact of the shooting on the characters will give any reader pause. Lives are changed as everyone searches for answers.

I’m not a big believer in angels or demons and so I rarely read books on the subject. But, I could not put down The Knowing. The writing and her ability to weave a remarkable story, kept me reading. Move over Stephen King there’s a new bestseller in town.

Congrats! To Ninie Hammon, she hit this one out of the park.

My next recommendation is-

Take Off Your Pants – Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker.

If you are like me, you’ve more “how to” books than you’ll ever read. But this is one you must add to your library. She makes planning your book simple.

Don’t like to outline? No problem.

Prefer to write by the seat of your pants? No problem.

This book gives a plan for combining the best of both writers.

Plus, Ms. Hawker explains “character arc” in terms even a kid can understand. For the first time ever, I “got it.”

This book changed my entire thought process on mapping out a book.

If you’ve had trouble with outlines and characters, I recommend you read Take off Your Pants!

So there you have it, two books for your weekend reading pleasure.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think, read any good books lately? And please join me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!
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PS:

Coming soon! My children’s book Tryouts for Ben!

Is all the advice confusing?

Published on November 9, 2015November 8, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

Sometimes my head hurts from reading all the how-to blogs, books and emails on how to write.

This morning I scanned my emails and spotted one from my sister, mentor, critique partner, tense monitor and friend. Her emails take priority over the latest opportunity from a prince in Nigeria.

Okay, back to her email. Sheila wanted to make sure I hadn’t missed Chuck Wendig’s post about writing advice. We both love his blog. Chuck keeps it real. If you don’t get his posts, you’re missing out. Be sure and hop over to Sheila’s blog Cow Pasture Chronicles, you’ll be glad you did.

What is the matter with me today? I keep veering toward the ditch as wobbly as an old Chevy truck with bald tires.

Any who, after reading his post, I wondered if Chuck had tapped our phone lines. Sheila and I had just had this conversation. Cue the twilight zone music.

We talked about all the confusing, and sometimes nutty writing advice that floats around like party balloons. I don’t know about y’all, but my Kindle has more books on writing than any other subject. The worst ones are the books that insist their way is the only way to write. I agree with Chuck, bullshit!

If you write, you are a writer. Good, bad or mediocre, but non the less a writer.

Me, my name hasn’t shown up on the NYT Bestsellers list, (but hope blooms eternal) nor am I an expert on anything other than making mistakes. Although, I’m quickly becoming an expert on rejects but that’s for another post.

Here on this blog, I do my best to post Writing Tips that I find interesting and helpful. I hope my readers feel the same. But as Chuck points out, all advice, tips or opinions should be taken with a grain of salt. Pick what works for you and throw out the rest.

Just keep writing.

That’s why I’ve only read a few pages of many of those books that clutter my Kindle and bookshelves. Some just aren’t for me.

Head over to Terrible Minds and read Chuck’s post, Writing, Advice is Bullshit, for yourself.

What do you think? Is most writing advice a waste of time? Does it confuse you more than help? What is your favorite how-to book on writing?

Let me know what you think in the comments section and join me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!
Don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

PS:

The labor pains have been exhausting for this little guy, but he’s almost here.

Coming this week! Fingers crossed!

Do you remember that first?

Published on November 6, 2015November 6, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

As the flames leapt skyward, I closed my eyes, took another sip and relaxed in your warm embrace. A full moon with a star filled sky ordered special for tonight matches the stars in your eyes. Sweet kisses that taste of strawberries, wine and sex. Firsts are wonderful. The first kiss, first touch, first embrace, first love.

I stood, wrapped the blanket around my breast and stared into the dying fire. Would the second time be wonderful? As the ashes reached toward the dawn, and the wind chilled my skin, I walked away, as the sweet taste of first lingered on my lips.

As luck would have it, I killed two birds with one stone. LOL

This is my contribution to two blogs:

The Prompt, over at Mom Turned Mom Prompt – Week 89 “Fire”

and

Julia’s Place 100WCGU – Week #173 The prompt was… as the flames leapt skyward…

If you’d like to join in the fun, just click on the above links.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think. You can find me @jeancogdell on Twitter and jean.cogdell on Facebook!
Don’t forget, pay it forward with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.