FURTHER FAIRYTALE HEADLINES

January 31, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Further Fairytale Headlines is another lighthearted post, following on from yesterday’s one. See what Santa and Cinderella, amongst others, might have to say to the press.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Decisions, Decisions looks at how one decision by a character should be the pivot for the whole story. See Frodo Baggins’s example of deciding he would go to Elrond’s house with the Ring of Power in The Lord of the Rings. Okay having the Ringwraiths sent after Frodo did help speed up the decision making process here, but it is the one vital choice Frodo made and it led to consequences for others, especially Sam. So what vital decisions are your characters making?

BOOK NEWS – FROM LIGHT TO DARK AND BACK AGAIN

And talking of decisions, I am in the middle of working out with my publisher the kind of launch I would like for my debut flash fiction collection, From Light to Dark and Back Again (Chapeltown Books). Last week I had the great joy of choosing my book cover (which looks fab and yes I know I’m biased, but I look forward to being able to share the image at a later date). It is an exciting journey as it has taken a very long time for me to get to this point. More details later… am currently building a book page on my websites as well.

FACEBOOK PAGE

And away from the written word (a bit), I discuss the joys of swimming. I had thought I would use the time in the pool to mentally work out plots, characters and so on but it hasn’t worked out like that.

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After a swim, I’m soon back at the keyboard. Image via Pixabay.

FAIRYTALE HEADLINES

January 30, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Fairytale Headlines shares some lighthearted ideas as to what headlines you might see in a magical world newspaper, magazine, or advertising supplement. I include tabloid reaction to the tale of the Elves and the Shoemaker and how the Three Bears might be involved in these publications. Hope you enjoy!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Getting Feedback gives useful advice on something that should be of immense value to writers – reaction to what you have written! I share what I look for when seeking feedback and also general pointers on competitions. For example, I always look for a competition’s track record before deciding to enter it. And while I haven’t mentioned it in this post (as I forgot!), I will add for newly set up competitions, I look at the people behind it. There will be a track record somewhere for you to judge whether you have a go at the competition or not and, if in any doubt, always check things out with a reputable writing body such as, in the UK, the Society of Authors.

FACEBOOK PAGE

I talk about music in my post here tonight, what I listen to as I write and how this has changed over time.

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I listen to wonderful classical music concerts in the comfort of my own home. Image via Pixabay.

Where stories emerge these days... Image via Pixabay

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

January 29, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Under the Influence asks who influences your characters and whether they break away from that or not. Plenty of story ideas there. I also go on to suggest who some of my favourite fairytale and other characters were influenced by. For example, Humpty Dumpty was clearly influenced by the Acrobatic Society who told him it was feasible for an egg to be balanced on a wall and, more importantly, stay balanced. There are times when you can’t be more wrong!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Making an Impact looks at what impact your stories and characters have on you and your readers. Is it the impact you intended? Is there more beneath the surface than you at first realized with your tale (generally that is a good thing)? And I share a tip I’ve found useful in putting your work aside for a while before re-reading it. Does the story have the same impact on you as it did when you read it the first time?

FACEBOOK PAGE

I share an amusing incident today with regard to one of my darker tales in From Light to Dark and Back Again, my forthcoming flash fiction collection (Chapeltown Books).

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ideas-the-spark-for-writing-competitions-image-via-pixabay

Ideas are wonderful but are your stories making the impact you intended? Image via Pixabay

You can't beat a good book. Image via Pixabay.

WHO MAKES THE RULES?

January 28, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Who Makes the Rules? is one of those apparently simple questions that can generate lots of answers. I discuss why in the post and ask about conventions and traditions in your fictional world and what happens to those that flout them. Plenty of story ideas there!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

How to Spot a Writer is one of my more lighthearted posts. I list 10 things to look for and admit I’m guilty of most of them. How many are you guilty of and can you add to the list?

CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

Last week’s post on Classic Books has one problem with it in that the topic almost inevitably leads to the article being biased in favour of fiction. So I redress the balance with this week’s post – Fiction -v- Non-Fiction? No Contest!

FACEBOOK PAGE

I share more on my Chandler’s Ford Today post.

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This week’s Chandler’s Ford Today post. Image via Pixabay.

How do your characters handle matters when forced to change direction and take a path they had not expected or wanted? Image via Pixabay.

FAVOURITE STORIES

January 27, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Robin Hood, which I went to see a pantomime of this evening, is one of my favourite stories because it focuses on wrongs being righted. This probably is my favourite overall theme in fiction. So tonight’s post discusses Favourite Stories. The post looks at what would be your fictional world’s favourite tales and whether they are based on fact or not. I also look at how favourite stories affect your characters.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

I sometimes find it useful to review why I write at all and it can be helpful if you’ve hit a difficult patch. Reviewing why you write can be an encouragement to keep going. In my post, Why Write? I list my reasons for writing. Comments – and your reasons for writing – would be very welcome.

CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

This week’s post will go up later tomorrow evening as I am slightly behind schedule but it is a post I’ve wanted to write for a while. It will look at why non-fiction reading is absolutely crucial for fiction writers and where inspiration can come from. More tomorrow…

FACEBOOK PAGE

I discuss going to the pantomime and why I didn’t wave my arms about much! See the post for the reason why…

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A way into the magical realm, perhaps? Image via Pixabay.

I went to see Robin Hood, the pantomime, tonight. This isn’t Sherwood Forest but the story of its most famous resident is one of my all time favourites. Image via Pixabay.

WHAT FAIRYTALES GIVE US

January 25, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

What Fairytales Give Us could easily have been called My Ten Reasons for Loving Fairytales. In my list, I include my love of the fact that in fairy stories, justice and truth will always win in the end (so unlike life!) and that background doesn’t matter when it comes to there being a hero/heroine in the story. Think of Cinderella, of the miller’s son in Puss and Boots, then up to royalty for the prince transformed into a beast in Beauty and the Beast. Can you add to my list? Comments welcome!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Working Methods takes a look at some of my writing methods but also asks about how your characters work. Is it all done by manual labour, magic, machinery or any combination of these? I also share why I start my characters off by looking at their main trait and worry about the physical description later.

FACEBOOK PAGE – AND BOOK NEWS!

My first volume of flash fiction stories, From Light to Dark and Back Again, is currently in production by independent press, Chapeltown Books. I share some further news about this on my Facebook page and will share more as and when I have it but, as you can imagine, I am thrilled about this. Chapeltown will be bringing out a series of books with their own branding and mine is going to be the first of them. Very much ongoing news story here!

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Books make wonderful gifts. Image via Pixabay.

Books are wonderful – whether in print or electronic, whether as audio stories or told by a storyteller. Image via Pixabay.

The world of the imagination should play a role in your stories. I can't imagine any world without some form of the arts. Image via Pixabay.

MISTAKES THAT COST

January 25, 2017January 26, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Mistakes that Cost lists some of the things certain fairytale characters could’ve done to avoid meeting their truly horrible fate. Still, it is easy to be wise after the event.. not a lot of good in the case of these characters but it is easy!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Writing Tips I learned – eventually! lists three major points. I discuss First Drafts, the character versus plot debate, and whether it is worth planning a piece of work. In my view the answer to the last one is very simple – yes! Of course, how much planning you do can vary. I don’t plan all the last details in any story but simply work out the main points that I’ve got to have so the story is as I envisaged it to be.

FACEBOOK PAGE

Unless I’m writing for a competition, I don’t usually write to a theme. I write to my main character and it is their main traits that drive the story. I talk about this and what my favourite kind of characters are.

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There must be some truly fantastic fiction here. Image via Pixabay.

When I'm not at my desk, I'm likely to be in the swimming pool or walking the dog (never both at the same time!). Image via Pixabay.

FAIRYTALES IN ONE LINE

January 24, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Fairytales in One Line sums up some fairytales, 1 nursery rhyme and a pantomime favourite in one line. See what I make of Cinderella, Mother Goose and Robin Hood to name some of those in this post.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

The Working Day looks at how your characters organise their time, what kind of work is important to your fictional world and asks just what do your characters do in terms of income so their needs are met. The questions here I hope make for some good writing prompts!

FACEBOOK PAGE

I discuss a pantomime I’m due to see on Thursday. Our local theatre group, The Chameleons, will be staging Robin Hood. This is one of my favourite stories. I also mention my favourite Sheriff of Nottingham performance too.

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The magic of stories. Image via Pixabay

TEN THINGS TO AVOID ON A MAGICAL HOLIDAY

January 23, 20172 Comments

WEEKEND SUMMARY FOR FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I was at a conference over the weekend and in case you missed the links to my website posts, I put them here for both websites.

http://fairytaleswithbite.weebly.com/blog—kingdom-life/when-characters-wake-up-to-reality This post talks about redemption and a character’s need to repent.

http://fairytaleswithbite.weebly.com/blog—kingdom-life/the-flash-fantastic Here I talk about keeping a sense of realism in even the most fantastic of stories. There should be no coincidences and when magical things/appearances are going to happen, it should be established early on this is the kind of world where these things are expected.

AND BACK TO TODAY… FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Ten Things to Avoid on a Magical Holiday is full of those useful hints and tips that could save you a lot of misery and possibly your life too. Dragons are the obvious ones to avoid but then there are the evil stepmothers who may want to carry out a dummy run before getting rid of the person they really want to remove. The important thing here is to ensure you are not the dummy. See my list of the other things it would be good to avoid.

WEEKEND SUMMARY FOR THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

http://allisonsymes-thisworldandothers.weebly.com/blog—creating-worlds/writing-books-ive-found-useful Here I share my favourite how-to-write books. Some are funny, others are serious, all of them are well worth reading. I’ve learned lots from each of them.

http://allisonsymes-thisworldandothers.weebly.com/blog—creating-worlds/what-to-expect-when-a-good-supernatural-being-enters-your-world

This post probably is my contender for the longest title! However, I share a few things you can expect should a good supernatural being enter your world. Trouble to start with… these visitations are not always popular especially with those in power.

AND BACK TO TODAY… THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Rejection is something every writer can expect. I found that discovering rejection is never personal helped enormously. I share some reasons why rejection might happen.

CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY AND FACEBOOK PAGE

Later than usual, due to my conference, I share the links to my current Chandler’s Ford Today post, which is all about classic books. What makes a classic book? Does age matter? I also list my Top 10.

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Classic Books – this week’s Chandler’s Ford Today post. Image by Pixabay.

QUICK BLOG SUMMARY

January 21, 2017January 20, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE and THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Just to say I’ve needed to schedule posts to appear on both of my websites and my Facebook page for a day or so. Back to normal on Sunday evening! Have a fabulous weekend. Have put up the links to the Blog page on my websites so you should get to see the latest post as each one appears (I hope!).

http://fairytaleswithbite.weebly.com/blog—kingdom-life

http://allisonsymes-thisworldandothers.weebly.com/blog—creating-worlds