Tag: #writingtips

How to avoid embarrassing grammar mistakes?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell15 Comments

I wish I knew. 

Thank God for grammar programs and Beta readers. Because I make mistakes every time I write, and lots of them. Maybe all the social media short hand is to blame, or maybe the slang we fall back on. But I do know for me grammar is hard work.

A recent post by Christina DesMarais on the 43 Embarrassing Grammar Mistakes Even Smart People Make is terrific. So I thought I’d it share with you guys because I can’t be the only writer who struggles with grammar. Except for maybe my daughter and my sister. They are two grammar nerds that are always nipping at my writing, the little know-it-all.

What I like most is Christina picks words and phrases that even seasoned writers often get wrong. I’ve seen a few of these in books by well-known writers. Uh, no I’m not going to name names.

Even though we may use some of these words and phrases in everyday conversations, it most certainly does not make them correct. Here are a few of my favorites.

  • Number 1, can’t wait to share with a clerk. LOL
  • Okay, guilty of using Number 3 in conversation.
  • Number 7, it’s been misused a lot lately.
  • I love Number 20, take that, adverb haters.
  • Well, do tell. Number 22. How about from bad to worse?
  • When I read Number 24, I chuckled.
  • What Southerner hasn’t used Number 25 wrong? LOL
  • Number 36, kids love this word and use it a lot.
  • Number 38 was new to me, love learning something new.

Read Christina’s article and tell me which ones jumped out at you.

 43 Embarrassing Grammar Mistakes Even Smart People Make

Any favorites?

Do you think social media has hurt grammar?

Any additional reminders to help us?

Do you have any grammar pet-peeves? Do share!

Laugh as you learn grammar tips from this video.

Talk to me, I love reading your comments.

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. 

 

How to find the write answers at the right time

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell15 Comments

Stop struggling to write and wait.

Or write something else, or read.

That’s right, sometimes you just have to wait for the answer to find you. If you know me, waiting is not my strong suit. Sigh…

I’d been struggling, writing and rewriting a specific scene. I bet I’ve rewritten that one scene twelve ways to Sunday and wasn’t happy with either of them. The more I struggled to find the answer the more mired in the mud I got, unable to move past that scene. Google didn’t even help.

What to do, what to do?   And then just when it looked darkest…

A wonderful blogger/writer came to my rescue. God, I love y’all!

BECCA PUGLISI over at Writers Helping Writers posted a terrific article that pulled my WIP right back on track.

Today I spent all morning mapping out the rest of my story. Have I decided on which of the twelve scenes I’m going to use that sent me off the rails? No. I’ve moved past it and will let my characters decide later. I’m too busy writing the book.

Following Becca’s instructions, I…

  • opened Excel sheet
  • listed my characters
  • listed days of the week
  • jotted down what each character did on what day. Just a few words.

Next, I use each of these notes to write a scene. As time goes by, I’ll add more notes to the spread sheet and write more scenes. Many of you may use a similar technique with note cards or sticky notes but to see it in a spread sheet really helped me jump past that muddy ditch and keep going. As the story plays out, I’ll know how to move past that tricky part. Click on her link and read the whole article.

Plotting for Pantsters Posted  by BECCA PUGLISI

Do you have a trick for getting past a sticky story part?

What do you do to stay on track?

Give me your tips, I need all the help I can get.

 

Talk to me, I love reading your comments.

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. 

How to start tweeting like a pro right now

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

And boy o boy, I need to start tweeting more.

Up until now, I’ve been so lame. That’s right, a lame tweeter. But not for long.

Why? I want to be good on social media and don’t want to do anything half-assed. Even tweeting.

This morning I was excited to read an email from Suzanne Bowditch on how to do just that, tweet like a pro.(click to tweet)

Suzanne gave five good tips on what to do to engage with others on Twitter. Here is what mined from her great post.

  1. People love freebies- so promote free products even if it’s not yours.
  2. Ask a question- yes but also answer questions with questions.
  3. Want retweets, ask for them true- but don’t forget to retweet others.
  4. Use the right hashtag- but don’t go hashtag crazy.
  5. Learn from other successful tweeters.
  6. Mine – Keep tweeting, don’t give up.

Now head over to Suzanne’s blog and read her post. I’d love to hear what you think.

5 tips to get you tweeting like a pro! by Suzanne Bowditch

Did you learn something new about tweeting?

Are you ready to tackle Twitter now?

How often do you Tweet? Every day, once a week, or when?

Do you have any good twitter tips?

 

Talk to me, I love reading your comments.

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. 

Do you think technology is good for writers?

Published on by Jean M. Cogdell35 Comments

Where would you be as a writer without your computer?

Just think about it for a minute. We have come to rely on little electronic robots in every stage of our lives from the grocery store to the gas pumps. So of course, we come to rely on technology to enable us to write faster and better stories.

 

One of my favorite bloggers Ryan Lanz posted an article about robots taking over the world of writers.

The thought made my imagination whirl like a carnival ride.

Not too long ago, we were told computers would make us a paperless society and save the trees. Uh, no hasn’t happened. In fact, I believe it’s had the reverse effect. Yesterday I was at the vets picking up medicine for the dog. The receptionist took forever, or so it seemed, to look up and enter in the computer my information before printing it out in duplicate. No short cut there.

But back to writing. I love many of the automated writing programs. I’ve become dependant on spell-check and use at least three grammar check programs. Some of the books I’ve read or tried to read lately could benefit from a few of these robot programs too. I think this advancement is a good thing.

I agree with Ms. Sotnikova, technology will need for writers to become more creative. We will need to add more of ourselves to our writing, make our stories unique. Separate the man from machine. 

Whether you are analyzing data, running spell-check, or using a program to mimic Hemingway, use the technology to advance your writing skills. To learn, to promote, to help you succeed in every possible way.

I don’t see the robotic age as a negative. No, I see it as a wonderful tool for writers.

Pop over to A Writers Path and read Ms. Sotnikova’s post.

Robots Will Change The Way We Write  By Nadia Sotnikova

What do you think?

Are robots changing the way you write?

Is the coming changes a good or bad thing?

Talk to me, I love reading your comments.

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.