Where all stories start, regardless of technology - the blank page. Image via Pixabay.

ASKING THE AWKWARD QUESTIONS

October 12, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Asking the Awkward Questions is one of those titles that says it all really. My rebellious fairy godmother, Eileen, is the expert at this and as a result always lands herself in it it. Characters like that are huge fun to write about. But in this post I list a few awkward questions that could be asked within the magical world. One example is “can’t you use your magical powers to end hunger, all diseases etc?” How would you get your magical characters to answer that? Can you add to my list?

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

The Musical Arts explores more on music within your fictional world and the status of musicians/composers. I explain why I don’t have a favourite composer and ask what role music would play in the feasts and festivals your fictional setting would have.

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I discuss why I don’t have one overall favourite story/book but also nominate the one how-to writing book I happily recommend to anyone! Inconsistent? Moi? Surely not! But I find it impossible to name any one fictional work I’d always put above any others. The Lord of the Rings is probably the closest but even then I have to be in right mood for an epic quest! Still that is the great thing with stories – there really is at least one out there to suit every mood!

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Well, what IS your story? Image via Pixabay.

THE WIZARDING CONFERENCE

October 11, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Part 3 of my mini series on conferences in the magical world looks at what would be on offer for the wizards. Not sure I’d like to go to one though. I suspect there would be a clash of egos! What do you think?

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

A fairly short post tonight but I hope to expand further on the theme of the arts in the fictional world in further posts. I ask if the arts are supported by central/local government in your settings and if all characters have access/can take part in the arts or if this is restricted. Whatever your world, there should be some form of art in it somewhere. The more intelligent the creature the more need there is to express itself. And that is where art does come into its own.

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I discuss how a good piece of writing makes me feel and relish the challenge of trying to produce good writing myself. Can I make others laugh? Can I make them think? Can I entertain them? The great thing is whether you write fiction or non-fiction (0r both), challenging yourself to produce the best work you can is good for (a) your writing and (b) you yourself. Why? Stretching yourself mentally is good for the brain.

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Notebooks old and new – image via Pixabay. Ideas have to be jotted down somewhere!

The modern way to read - the Kindle. Image via Pixabay.

IF THERE WERE A FAIRYTALE WITCH’S CONFERENCE…

October 10, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I continue with the theme of conferences and look at what might be on offer for an event held for fairytale witches. This, of course, assumes you could get enough fairytale witches together who would not squabble or curse each other for long enough to get through the day itself in one piece. Frankly this is assuming a lot…

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

I discuss classical music in tonight’s post and how I now love listening to it as I write. There was a time when I couldn’t write with music in the background at all. I found it was affecting my mood and therefore how/what I wrote! But classical does not seem to have that affect. It’s either that or I’ve matured a bit as a writer to block out distractions! From a writing viewpoint, I ask how music comes into play (some pun intended!) in your fictional creations.

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I’m feeling chuffed I’ve managed to catch up with some reading today. I discuss that and advances in technology when it comes to books (whether reading or writing them) in tonight’s post.

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My own library is not on this scale but isn’t this a fabulous place? Image via Pixabay (of Leeds Castle).

If there were such a thing as a conference for fairy godmothers, maybe one workshop would discuss how to ensure a good supply of ingredients (to definitely include pumpkins!). Image via Pixabay.

FAIRY (AND OTHER) CONFERENCES

October 9, 2016October 9, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I returned from a wonderful day at the Association of Christian Writers’ conference in London on Saturday 8th October. The theme of conferences is on my brain for all my posts tonight but the FWB one is a fun look at what would be available if fairies had their own conferences. See what you think! Do you agree with me? What workshops would the magical beings in your fictional world have?

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Here I talk about what I like about writing days/conferences. Again do you agree with me? Can you add to my list?

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I discuss my hope to do some more print reading this week. I nearly always read from my Kindle just before settling for the night (and love this) but I like to read traditional print too and always wish I had more time. Now granted I could make more time if I didn’t write as much as I do but the problem is I don’t want to give that up either! Oh well. I do hope to do better in that regard this week.

And I’m looking forward to carrying out an interview later this week with someone who has done so much to help writers over many years. This in time is due to appear on Chandler’s Ford Today. I also discuss the current CFT post I’m working on, which is about a special creative writing project.

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Brainstorming ideas, just one of many good things to come from well run writing conferences and the exercises set there. Image via Pixabay.

Learning with others in a writing conference is huge fun. Image via Pixabay.

PUNISHMENTS AND CRIMES

October 8, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I talk about punishments in tonight’s post. My fictional Fairy Kingdom likes a rough justice kind of approach. If you offend someone more magically powerful than you in the world I’ve set out you are (a) going to know about it and (b) the results are definitely going to hurt. (All that’s open to question is just how much your punishment is going to hurt). I list some of the typical punishments meted out. The clever bit here is to ensure you are never caught like this.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

On the flip side I look at crimes and discuss why breaking someone else’s magical talking mirror is not a great idea. I list some of what are considered the worst things you could do.

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I discuss my day out today at the Writers’ Day held by the Association of Christian Writers in London today. I learned a lot, talked with old friends, talked with new ones and had a wonderful time!

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A typical writing conference room. Image via Pixabay.

The Hayes Conference Centre, Derbyshire.

THE DANGERS OF REVIEWING MAGICAL BOOKS

October 7, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

There are some jobs that the sensible would avoid at all costs. One of these is being a magical book reviewer. Tonight’s FWB post looks how a magical book reviewer might set about their task – and yes, carefully is one answer!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Spreading the Word discusses (briefly) the need that all authors have to do what they can in this regard. I do take my own advice (!) and share news of the latest anthology my work appears in on my News page. (The Best of Cafelit 5 published by Chapeltown Books and available in print and electronically. There! I’ve taken my own advice again – links on my website!).

From a fictional viewpoint, this post discusses how your characters might spread the word. The post asks how technology has developed in your story worlds and, if it hasn’t, asks why not? Is the media controlled in your settings? Are stories still told in the oral tradition? Answering these questions could trigger some really good stories. (Orwell’s 1984 being the ultimate re the media control one I think).

CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

I discuss what makes a good writing conference in tonight’s CFT post and share my thoughts based on my experience of attending the Winchester and Swanwick conferences. I share some of my photos taken at Swanwick. The conference there is held at The Hayes Conference Centre in Derbyshire. The grounds are lovely and the accommodation very comfortable. Only trouble? I ate far too much when I was away there! Still it is a nice trouble to have…and I certainly wasn’t the only one!

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My FB author page tonight shares the link with my Chandler’s Ford Today post where I discuss good writing conferences. I share what I have learned about what to look out for, based on my experience of the Winchester Writers’ Festival and, for the first time this year, the Swanwick Summer Writers’ School. Hope the post helps those who are considering going to a conference for the first time.

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One of the lakes at The Hayes Conference Centre, Derbyshire, which is home to the Swanwick Summer Writers’ School. Image taken by me this year. Lovely place to walk around.

Come sunrise the fairies must vanish. Image via Pixabay.

IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA BUT…

October 6, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

My post Fairytale Hints and Tips shares advice on not judging others by their species or their size. It also stresses the importance of knowing where your fruit comes from and what exactly has gone into your food and drink. In a magical world, you really cannot be too careful!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

My post Ideas that seemed good at the time but… lives up to its title and shares examples from well known fairytales. Why Little Red Riding Hood never thought to question the whole idea of a wolf talking to her remains a mystery…

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A little bit of advance notice for this week’s Chandler’s Ford Today post which will be about what I look for in a good writing conference. I also look forward to what will hopefully be a great day at the Association of Christian Writers Day in London on Saturday.

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The way into the magical realm perhaps? Image via Pixabay.

Hard at work. While writing should always be fun, the work of getting it fit for publication shouldn't be underestimated. Image via Pixabay.

FAVOURITE STORIES

October 5, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

A character’s favourite stories can tell you a great deal about the character so this can be useful in helping to portray them as fully rounded beings. What makes the favourite stories so well loved by your characters? What legends are they brought up on and which would be their sacred texts? I ask these questions and others in tonight’s post. There are stories to be had writing the story behind the story!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

What every character wants is the theme here tonight. Are you giving your characters what they want?! My short check list may be a useful place to start!

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I talk about my methods of writing a short story, sending it off to a competition (usually) and then immediately starting another one. Sometimes I write a story and later a suitable competition comes up so I send the piece off. But this method of working means by the end of a year, I have written a reasonable number of stories. I tend to write flash fiction in small batches. I don’t know why but it seems to work for me.

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Where stories used to start – P.G. Wodehouse and Agatha Christie, two of my favourite authors, must have produced billions of words between them on typewriters. Image via Pixabay.

Where stories emerge. Image via Pixabay.

TASKS AND CHORES

October 4, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Tonight’s post takes a fun look at what daily magical tasks an apprentice in a fairytale world is likely to have to carry out.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Tasks and Chores looks at those day to day things we all have to do and asks what do our characters have as their favourites/absolutely loathe and why. Are our characters planners or do they everything “on the fly”? What happens on those occasions when they must act contrary to the way they usually would?

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I discuss what I am up to writing wise at the moment and moan about the fact I’m not having much time for reading right now (though I hope to rectify that later this week, God willing. Things have not entirely gone to plan so far this week so I’m not taking anything for granted. I usually make time for a good read of writing related things as part of my writing session. I read fiction at bedtime. These things I see as crucial to helping me improve my own writing so it has been a bit frustrating not being able to read as much this week).

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The Kindle. I read from it at bedtime and have a wide variety of non-fiction and fiction books on it. Image via Pixabay.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

October 4, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly are all found in classic fairytales, probably the best example is Beauty and the Beast. The good is Beauty, the bad is the witch who cursed the prince and Beast is the ugly one, though I’ve always loved this tale for its message that what you look like should not be the be all and end all. (A side message is be careful when offending someone who looks harmless as they might not be and turning someone else into a monstrous being is one of their specialities!). How can you use these elements? I have a look at that in this post.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

I look at rituals and habits in At the End of the Day and ask what do your characters do at the end of their day? Do they follow their own habits or is everyone expected to follow a set routine? (If the latter, you know the world you’ve created is run by a control freak!). How your characters wind down for the night (or day as appropriate) can reveal much about them and how they differ from others in stories.

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Today saw one of those lovely moments in the life of a writer: that moment when you open a parcel of books you’ve ordered but your story is in them! My flash fiction piece, Telling the Time, is in The Best of Cafelit 5 (available in print and electronically). The link takes you to the Amazon page. My story is one of my 100 word stories but there’s a lovely mix of very short stories like that and longer ones so there should be something to suit all tastes in short story length!

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The old way of writing a story! Image via Pixabay