I’ve had a bit of a dry quiet spell writing wise not life wise- with a flurry of rejections for my short stories from a few mags (on line). One editor was probably trying to be encouraging wh…
Source: Rejections and perseverance-
THE RELUCTANT HERO/HEROINE
FAIRYTALES WITH BITE
The Reluctant Hero/Heroine lists some reasons why I think this kind of character ranks amongst my favourites. Do you agree? Can you add to the list?
THIS WORLD AND OTHERS
A Wonderful Day asks what your characters would consider would make up such a thing. Do they need to have a special meal or to have something happen to make it a special day? Do other characters try to spoil a perfect day and if so, how and why?
FACEBOOK PAGE AND BOOK NEWS
Many thanks to all who have sent congratulations, words of support etc on news of From Light to Dark and Back Again. I also discuss Doctor Who, my Chandler’s Ford Today post due tomorrow and my love of writing about legendary characters.
The chorus from the Chameleons Theatre Company and their Robin Hood panto. I review this in tomorrow’s Chandler’s Ford Today post. Many thanks to the Chameleons for this image and the ones in the CFT post.
LIGHT READING
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Light Reading discusses what your characters might read when they want to escape their cares for a while or are just after literary entertainment. There is very much a place for books and stories that tackle issues but also one for those that “just” entertain. Does your fictional world reflect that?
THIS WORLD AND OTHERS
Creating Images discusses how writers create images. This topic came about as the image for my book cover for From Light to Dark and Back Again, my debut flash fiction collection, came through from Chapeltown Books. Naturally, I take the opportunity to share that too! Hope you like the cover. I know I’m biased but I think it’s fabulous!
FACEBOOK PAGE
Well, my big news is the book cover so I talk about that more here. It has taken me a long time to get to this point in my writing so this is very special.
My debut flash fiction collection from Chapeltown Books
WHAT EVERY GOOD FAIRYTALE SHOULD HAVE
FAIRYTALES WITH BITE
What Every Good Fairytale Should Have lists my five most important criteria. Do you agree with my list? Can you add to it? Characterisation, of course, is vital. I like a good message from a fairytale without it being preachy and I like a clear hero/heroine and villain. I also love a good narrator led story too.
THIS WORLD AND OTHERS
Five Favourite Character Types is another of my titles that sum up the post well! I list the reluctant hero, the heroine who is as worthy as her male counterpart and often better, and the seemingly insignificant character amongst others. Who would you list and why?
FACEBOOK PAGE
I discuss the joys of writing for Chandler’s Ford Today and what constitutes a “works outing”.
Books really are the gatekeepers. Image via Pixabay.
FURTHER FAIRYTALE HEADLINES
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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.
After a swim, I’m soon back at the keyboard. Image via Pixabay.
FAIRYTALE HEADLINES
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.
I listen to wonderful classical music concerts in the comfort of my own home. Image via Pixabay.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE
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).
Ideas are wonderful but are your stories making the impact you intended? Image via Pixabay
WHO MAKES THE RULES?
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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.
This week’s Chandler’s Ford Today post. Image via Pixabay.
FAVOURITE STORIES
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…
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
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!
Books are wonderful – whether in print or electronic, whether as audio stories or told by a storyteller. Image via Pixabay.
Allison Symes: Collected Works 