#writingtips – Page 13 – Jean's Writing

Do you think music inspires you when you write?

Published on October 5, 2017October 5, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell24 Comments

Or do you feel as to if the sound of music distracts you from your project?

For me, music is a distraction.

However, I’ve read a lot of articles from many writers about how music can set the tone and mood for their story.

Today one such post caught my eye and I thought maybe, just maybe I’m missing out on an important writing tool.

Read and tell me what you think.

8 Styles of Music to Help You Focus While You Write by DANA SITAR

I love music, country music is my favorite, although I’ve been known to listen to all types. From Bach to Jay-Z with lots of Willie Nelson and Jimmy Buffet in the mix. Yeah, my taste run wide. All depends on my mood at the moment, and of course the song.

Oh, one exception might be polka. Meh, not a fan.

So, after reading this post I began to think maybe, you who enjoy writing to music are on to something.

Writing with Music Issues:

Dance music. Tempted to dance instead of writing. Did I mention I love Country/Western?
Oldies. Drifting down memory, lane not good for writing a murder mystery. Love the Beatles. See, very eclectic.
Soundtrack. Now, this has possibilities. Will have to give this idea consideration.
Folk, Pop. See #1.
Jazz or Classical. Time for a nice glass of Rose on the back porch. So easy to procrastinate.
Electronic. Never considered this type of music. But I’m gonna say it is close to Polka on my scale.
Music in a foreign language. Ooh-la-la. Dim the lights and pour the champagne. No writing tonight.
Video Game or Movie Soundtracks. Yes! This is a keeper and great links.
Ambient Noise. Nope. I’ll be drooling on my laptop. Noise machines are what we use for the grandkids to help them sleep.

Somehow I ended up with one more than Dana but you get the idea.

What I want to know is does music help your writing? Or do you find it another avenue for procrastination?

Do you write more, or less, when the room is filled with music?

What is your favorite musical style to write by?

Let me know which works for you. I’m really interested.

You can always 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.

Here is the largest list of creative tools in one place

Published on September 29, 2017September 29, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell12 Comments

Wow and what fun!

Some of these generating tools are familiar, but some are new. Well, new to me.

Choose from Games, Exercises, Techniques or Poetry. Language Virus is a website with something to fit everyone’s need.

Beware! That sucking sound is the black hole of fun you may find yourself in once you begin clicking.

black-hole-1224028_1280

My favorite was the Poem Generator. Hmm, wait a minute there are more than one of those too. Who knows, I may be a poet but don’t know it. LOL

Struggling with your book title?

Try Title-o-Matic!

Or do you love the classics?

How about a Shakespearean Sonnet Generator

Want to learn to write Haiku?

Interactive Haiku is just one of 5 generators to help you.

Maybe you would like to write about Fae?

Fairy Tale Writing Prompts Inspiration

fairy-309929_1280

Or maybe you’re a visual person. So how about inspiration from my favorite city? Paris.

Visual Inspiration: Paris

Did I mention this website has something for everyone? Even something called Text Manipulation.

Click on the link and dive right into Prompts, Experiments, Quotes, and Inspiration presented by a host of authors.

Creative Writing Exercises at Language is a Virus

Ready? Well get inspired and…

Create

Did you see anything interesting? Something new or different?

Do you ever use generators for character names or places?

Which of these do you think is helpful?

I thought it was cool to find so many in one place. What do you think?

Talk to me in the comments, I loved to read your thoughts.

Please stop by my other locations (I’ve made some snazzy new icons) 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?

Are you disciplined and organized?

How many words do you strive for in a day? Or do you set a word goal?

Talk to me in the comments, I loved to read your thoughts.

Please stop by my other locations (I’ve made some snazzy new icons) and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.

Or click the “write me” tab and send me an email.

Looking for new inspiration for your muse?

Published on September 22, 2017September 22, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

Well, how about 50 new ideas?

If you’ve read many of my blogs, you’ll know I love prompts. My muse gets as excited as I do over a good prompt.

Jump for joy — Image courtesy of Pixabay

And finding new, different and interesting prompts gets my muse excited. So without further ado.

Check out…

50 Mystery Plot Ideas and Writing Prompts! by Bryn Donovan

Did you find one that made you think?

Prompts #4, #29, #42 and #45 just went in my story idea file.

Now you, which one did you add to your idea file?

Okay, now leave me a comment, then I hope you’ll head over and “like” my Facebook page at Facebook at jeanswriting . Or connect with me, click the “write me” tab. Don’t forget you can also follow me on StumbleUpon, on Twitter @jeancogdell , and Amazon.com.

Please stop by and say “hey!” I’ll leave a light on.