#writingtips – Page 16 – Jean's Writing

How can you make your blog more user friendly?

Published on August 28, 2017August 21, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell10 Comments

Simple things can improve your blog.

Make your blog easy for readers.

for a more user-friendly blog…

Read – From Myths of the Mirror comes… 7 Steps to a User-Friendly Blog

You might find a couple that will help readers find and click through your blog.

Numbers 3 & 6 helped me.

I added the translate button. It had never occurred to me that not every browser gives you the option to translate a page. Good to know. Also, I hadn’t thought about limiting the number of posts to show up on the first page. My blog now loads faster since I limited that to 3 posts.

Which one of the 7 do you need to change on your blog?

Leave me a comment and let’s talk.

Please head over and “like” my Facebook page at Facebook at jeanswriting . Or to connect with me, click the “write me” tab. Don’t forget you can follow me on StumbleUpon, on Twitter @jeancogdell , and Amazon.com.

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

Google drops domain hosting for infamous neo-Nazi site the Daily Stormer

Do you know the right amount of information to share?

Published on August 25, 2017August 21, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell5 Comments

About your characters?

We all know how important descriptions and details are in a story. But how much is too much?

This a really good blog post that reminds us not to sweat the minute by minute mundane details of our life of our characters.

Take it away Budgie.

Budgie’s Journal #69 – Where Does the Poop Go?

How much is too much information?

Should we add in more or less of everyday functions?

I like to hear your thought. Leave me a comment and let’s talk.

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

Do you need to do more than Google it?

Published on August 23, 2017August 21, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Sometimes Google is not the end all be expert.

Although, in our family, the go-to phrase is, “Google it.”

However, on occasion, we need more. But, Facebook and Twitter as a news authority? Really?

Like most people, I love reading Facebook and Twitter but, we need to always check the source. Too many times an opinion piece is considered news. Remember, check the origin of that article your Aunt Sue tagged you in. And if unsure, there are plenty of websites you can run the truth meter. Snopes, and FactCheck are just two.

What have I learned from Facebook and Twitter? Writing an eye-catching title is important. Not easy but important.

So where do we look for answers to our burning questions?

Read this post by Jacqui Murray. She gives us several places to get the facts straight.

Unconventional Research Sites for Writers by Jacqui Murray

My favorite on her list?

How Stuff Works and Info Please

And here is another you can add to her list. How It’s Made. Click on the link to watch the episodes.

What is your go to information resource?

Do you Google for everything?

Which of her suggestions do you find interesting?

I like to hear yours. Leave me a comment and let’s talk.

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

Do you know what to expect?

Published on August 16, 2017August 15, 2017 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

When hiring an editor or proofreader?

The prices are all over the map, so to speak, but thanks to Dan Alatorre we now have a good idea what to expect. Dan broke the prices down so even I could understand what to expect. I mean, no one likes to get hit with sticker shock. Finding the right editor or proofreader for the right price is a delicate balancing act for each writer. Even a children’s picture book requires a professional touch.

Read Dan’s blog post and tell me what you think. I really want to know. Although my novel is not ready for prime time yet I hope by years end to be editor shopping myself.

Have you ever hired an editor? How was your experience?

Do the prices jive with Dan’s?

How did you find your editor?

Do you know what publishing costs to expect?