Facebook – General

The challenge of finding new ideas for stories, is, of course, ongoing but the great thing is there are so many avenues to explore.

Proverbs and sayings can give themes for stories. Someone coming out with a strange way of expressing something can be an inspiration. (I was on the receiving end of one of these this week. Am certain I can get a flash fiction story out of it – will keep you posted!).

How about taking advertising slogans and changing a word or two to get your own theme? Instead of the old egg advert which said “Go to Work on an Egg”, how about “Go to Work on a Unicorn”. Now there’s a fantasy story or several behind that. Have fun (I intend to with that one as well).

Items of clothing (for example an odd shaped hat) can lead you wondering about the kind of character who would wear such a thing and what they might get up to while wearing it!

Keep your eyes and ears open. I’ve found, over time, when I hear or see something that could be useful for a story, I tend to hone in on it. It’s almost as if you develop a kind of antenna for this so be open to it. If the ideas don’t work out, well you’ve lost nothing but time trying them. (And I would be surprised if you didn’t get something out of them, if only the core for a stronger story you write up later).

Whenever and whatever you read, enjoy. Image via Pixabay.

Studying to see if all the corrections have been dealth with. Pixabay image.

Characters no matter what their world should resonate with readers. Image via Pixabay

Assemble your characters, assemble your world. Image via Pixabay

Finding time to follow social media is difficult so pick the one or two you like the most. Image via Pixabay

Don’t drop it! Pexels image.

Pictures in text the old fashioned way. Image via Pixabay.

What characters will you come up with? Image via Pixabay

Your blog, your topic, your theme – just be sensible on copyright and libel issues. Image via Pixabay.

I love stories that mirror others as long as it is done well. The play I saw on Wednesday was a great example of that. More details in my CFT post on Friday. The play was influenced heavily by one of Shakespeare’s finest which confirms something I’ve believed for a long time.

Reading widely is so important for anyone wanting to write. Indeed, it is more than that. It is NECESSARY.

Not only can you see how writers set things out, you DO learn by reading what others have done. You take in things like ratio of dialogue to narrative, where passive tense IS used appropriately, and how the writer you’re reading uses drama and cliffhangers in chapters to make you keep on reading so you have to find out how the story ends. That’s just a few things you take in when reading.

Also, by reading widely you are supporting the industry you want to join so it makes sense on so many levels. Ideas for your own stories come from all over the place and the theme of a novel you love may well be one you’d like to also write about, albeit in a totally different way.

Reading non-fiction can open your mind to ideas that you would want to bring into your fictional world. For example you read about how the phone came into being. Okay, how would that happen on the world you’re creating? What is their equivalent of the phone? Reading history (fictional and otherwise) can not only give you a sense of the past so much so you will want to set your own stories there, but there’s absolutely nothing to stop you writing about a minor character in the court of a monarch. Equally you could take your knowledge of how the court of Elizabeth 1 operated and set up a similar style of government in the world you’re creating.

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Facebook – From Light to Dark and Back Again

Flash fiction, because it has to be character led, can deal with “issues” but, obviously, briefly. That can often work better than a longer story where the writer can feed more into the tale. Short and to the point is what flash fiction does and, with stories that pack a punch like this, I believe brevity is best. No danger of repeating yourself either!

Social media has made the world a smaller place. Image via Pixabay.

Books should keep you gripped and that is down to the characters. Image via Pixabay

A good book will illuminate some truth. Image via Pexels

The precursor to blogging – journal keeping, Image via Pixabay.

The art of the flash (fiction). Image via Pixabay

Would Dickens have loved technology like this? Image via Pixabay

From Light to Dark and Back Again. Image taken by Allison Symes

Love a good journal! Image via Pexels

Flash fiction can take you anywhere
You like in terms of worlds, time or space.
Readers find out how your people fare
In whatever word count fits the case.
As long as it is under one K,
You and your story will be okay!

Allison Symes – 29th July 2018

Connections to what you read and what you write. What are yours? Image via Pixabay.

Escape with a good book. Image via Pixabay.

Stories are magical and inspire other stories. Image via Pixabay.

Says it all really and applies to non-fiction equally as fiction. Image via Pixabay.

Is the truth welcome in your fictional world? How does your community react to it?. Image via Pixabay.

Use personal reviews to help you generate characters and story outlines. Image via Pixabay.

Can’t beat the notebook and pen for quick notes. Image via Pixabay,

COMING UP NEXT TIME…

Guest Post from crime writer, Val Penny

I’m looking forward to sharing with you on Tuesday, 31st July a guest post from friend and crime writer, Val Penny.  She is behind the Hunter Wilson/Edinburgh Mysteries series and shares with us an extract from her forthcoming novel, Hunter’s Revenge.  It is very good but don’t just take my word for it.  See what you think from the extract on Tuesday!