#writingtips – Page 45 – Jean's Writing

Are you looking for writing competitions? Check these out

Published on November 9, 2016November 2, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

I haven’t submitted to any all year.

Just too busy with life events and trying to get my next children’s picture book published.

Image result for writing contest images — Image Source

But if you’re ready, brave and willing here are places to submit your story during November and December.

Good luck!

November 2016 Type: Fiction (Short Short Story) Hosted by: Writer’s Digest Deadline: November 15, 2016 (early-bird) Entry Fee: $20 Type: Fiction (Fall) Hosted by: The Masters Review Deadline: Novem…

Source: November/December 2016 Writing Contests

When was the last time you submitted a story for publication?

Do you submit to a lot of contests or magazines?

I’d love to hear from you, let me know how you’re doing! Leave a comment or click the “write me” tab or look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Do you need help with blogging ideas?

Published on November 4, 2016November 3, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell17 Comments

I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I try to think of a new blog, and like a dry well, I come up empty. well-145661_640

My brain can’t think of a damn thing y’all might want to know.

Does that ever happen to you?

I’ve got story ideas, but some days the blogging ideas just won’t come.

blog-stick-figure-1018599_640 — Pixabay.com

Well, if that’s the case, head over to See Jane Write and…

Let’s #bloglikecrazy!

She’ll give you a bunch of tips on keeping your blog fresh and current.

Need more? Keep reading!

Blog Post Ideas for Writers: Solving the “What Do I Blog About?” Conundrum by Kimberley Grabas

47 BLOG POST IDEAS FOR WRITERS, CREATIVES, AND BLOGGERS by CATHY PRESLAND

101 Fabulous Blog Topic Ideas by Molly Greene

40 Blog Post Ideas For Novelists, Poets, And Creative Writers

Where do you find blogging ideas?

How do you write a blog post day after day?

I’d love to know!

Leave a comment or click the “write me” tab or look for me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Do you know how to publish an ebook with pictures?

Published on November 2, 2016March 25, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell38 Comments

Using MS-Word?

Success at last! When I loaded it up to KDP, everything worked!

If you write children’s books or comic books, I’m sure you’ve heard of Kindle Kids’ Book Creator. This program is terrific. However, the program limits which electronic devices that can open and read the book.

I wanted my picture books to be available on e-readers and tablets. I found out after using KKBC for A Most Reluctant Princess; this wasn’t possible. Using KKBC limits which electronic devices available. Since publishing my first picture book, I’ve read tips, blogs, instructions, and watched videos searching a way to use MS-Word.

No one had the answers I needed. So, I began experimenting until I figured out a process that worked.

My new book, A Reluctant Little Prince, in e-book form, is written on MS-Word and can be read on a Kindle. Yay!

For the print version, I use a great program called Serif PagePlus and published it with Ingram Sparks. But that’s for another blog post.

Want to know my secret?

Put the picture inside of a text box! So simple!

Did this help?

What do you think?

Do you have a tip for adding pictures to ebooks?

Watch for my new children’s ebook! Coming Soon!

Please remember to share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Why is Halloween and Horror Fiction so popular?

Published on October 31, 2016October 23, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

Maybe it’s the rush we feel when frightened.

Maybe it’s a sense of relief when we realize we are safe. crime-268896_640

Maybe it’s a peek into the darkest corners of the human mind.

Whatever the reason, should you consider writing this genre?

Me, I love to read a good horror book. But hate watching it come to life on the big screen. There’s just something about seeing the story played out in gory colors that is a step too much for me.

My grandson just recently saw his first horror flick. My fault. I loved the book Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and recommended it to my daughter. So off they go to the movie theater. Oops, I’d no idea the movie was more of a horror flick than the book.

Whether it’s Steven King, Ransom Riggs, R.L. Stine, or vampire horror by Anne Rice reading books that scare us are popular for a reason.

Fear, laughter, relief, joy. Horror fiction stirs our emotions.

A recent blog post by Kristen Lamb, How Horror Fiction Can Make Us Better Writers made me think that maybe I could use this genre to help my general fiction.

13 Quotes On Writing From Horror Authors, Because Scaring Readers Is No Easy Feat

Writing over the top emotions that stir the soul and strike fear in the reader may be just what I need to become a better writer.

What do you think, would dabbling in Horror Fiction help your writing?

Got a Halloween story lurking in the back of your mind?

Do you have a favorite author that writes horror fiction?

Do share in the comments! I’d love to know.

I’d love to hear from you! Click the “write me” tab or contact me on Twitter @jeancogdell,Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! The lights are on, and I’m waiting.