FAIRYTALES WITH BITE
Truth and Lies looks at the crucial role these play in fiction (no crime fiction would be complete without them, just to name one genre!). They are often the spark for the conflict which is the story. I look at how your “lying” characters should be able to have good reasons for being this way. They have to be able to “carry it off” so need to be able to justify, if only to themselves, their lies and the way they act. Sometimes, of course, it isn’t a case of “lying” as such but one character needing to change their perspective and there can be some interesting stories to write on that theme. In a clear black and white truth and lie situation (as is often the case with fairytales), this conflict has to be resolved. There has to be a clear “good guy” and “bad guy”. I think this is one reason why fairytales will always be popular with children. There is usually a clear sense of right and wrong and that can be comforting when, even at a young age, you do know the world isn’t always like that. Thoughts and comments welcome on this…
THIS WORLD AND OTHERS
The Joy of Editing (another of my titles that say it all!) discusses my three stages of editing. I start with gettig rid of the typos and grammatical errors. This is probably my least favourite of the editing stages I do so am glad to get it done (though I do have a final overview to check I have picked these all up). The second is to check the story or article makes sense. The third is to ensure any additions work. (These are usually put in because I spot something in the second edit that needs clarifying or I have inserted another, stronger idea I know will improve the piece). The post gives more details but I would love to hear your thoughts and comments on editing. Do you like it/hate it? What do you find works best for you?
CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY
Finally! The perfect topic for a fiction writer to blog about – a Storytelling Festival! This is taking place in the Borough of Eastleigh (of which Chandler’s Ford is part) across ten local libraries and a local theatre. It is being held between 10th – 22nd April and there are plenty of things to interest younger ones.
There are creative writing and other workshops (one I would have loved to have gone to had this been around when I was growing up is about Fairytales and Monsters and involves games and play!).
The Story Shuffle app, a project which digitised versions of the story of Sir Bevis of Hampton as written by school children across the Borough, is now being opened up to the public. The children taking part initially had their own code so they could access their own and the other tales on the app but had to go to their local libraries to do so. The same libraries are rerunning this but the public can now try this app.
I very much hope that everyone going to the Festival has a wonderful time and that reading for pleasure is encouraged by events like this.
FACEBOOK PAGE
I share news of my CFT post.
ALL IMAGES SUPPLIED BY EASTLEIGH BOROUGH COUNCIL. MANY THANKS TO THEM.
I hope all who go to this have a fantastic, fictional time! Image supplied by Eastleigh Borough Council.
Allison Symes: Collected Works 