REVIEWS – AND WORLD BUILDING PROBLEMS

May 13, 2017May 13, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I discuss world building problems that need to be overcome. These include working out what your system of government is, how well educated (or not) your people are, and what limitations on magic there are. There will need to be some magical limitations as if all problems can be solved with the aid of a wand, there is no conflict and, so, no story. You will also need to work out how people exist in your world

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Odd thing happened tonight. I had written a post on reviews but it vanished. I have since rewritten the post. I discuss the importance of reviews as it links into my Chandler’s Ford Today post this week and ask whether there is any such things as reviews on your fictional world. This kind of thing would give a good indicator to the reader that your world is generally a literate one.

CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY/FACEBOOK GENERAL

I talk about the importance of book reviews in tonight’s post. (I like to spread the word!). I share some wonderfully acerbic comments from Mark Twain (who knew a thing or do about honest writing!). I also share why reviews, if they are going to be meaningful, must be clear and truthful at all times.

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FACEBOOK PAGE – From Light to Dark and Back Again

I share news of my CFT post which is about the importance of reviews. To mean anything though, the reviews have to be honest but they don’t have to be lengthy. If you want to help the writer in your life, reviewing their book is a good way to go!

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GOING AWOL

May 12, 2017May 12, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

In Going AWOL, I discuss why I’ve been off site for a while. (The good news is life has become somewhat hectic and I’m preparing for my physical book launch for From Light to Dark and Back Again). I ask about your characters finding the right balance between promoting material and getting on with writing new material. I know I haven’t got the balance on that one myself!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Back in Business looks at how your characters react to the changes to their lives the story has put them through? How do characters, sent away on a quest, react when they have to come back home and try to resume normality? How do villages etc react to characters coming back to them (especially given all characters change)? Can life ever be as it had been for your characters?

FACEBOOK – GENERAL

I flag up this week’s Chandler’s Ford Today post (appearing tomorrow), which will be about the art of the book review. I also share in this post some wonderfully honest and acerbic comments from Mark Twain. Now there was a man who could write an honest review…!

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FACEBOOK – FROM LIGHT TO DARK AND BACK AGAIN

I share Valerie Penny’s review of my book tonight. It ties in beautifully with my CFT post as a great example of an honest review. I met Valerie at Swanwick last year and will do so again this year! One side benefit of writing events – you get to make friends!

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CONVINCING CHARACTERS

May 9, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I think I’ve just written what will be one of my favourite posts for this site as it combines a review of a Doctor Who episode and talks about characterisation, two of my favourite things. Convincing Characters reviews the recent episode of Doctor Who where the always brilliant David Suchet plays “the Landlord”, a character that is doing evil things but not for evil reasons (he’s actually trying to save someone he loves). I then go on to discuss the importance of our characters being totally convincing with regard to their motivations.

David Suchet is totally convincing with regard to his performance (as he always is – from Lady Bracknell to Poirot!) but the writing of the Landlord character is simply brilliant and brings out the best in him, I feel. The Landlord character, for me, is the definition of a character knowingly doing the wrong things but doing them out of desperation and, as a result, the character IS evil but sad with it. I think most would see where the character was coming from and that is precisely what we all need to do with our characters. Brilliant work all around. Highly recommend seeing this.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Doing One’s Bit discusses character loyalties with one another and I use one of my favourite examples (Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee) to illustrate my point. The Lord of the Rings is so realistic (despite being an epic fantasy!) for showing how the relationship between these two comes to breaking point thanks to the evil influence of that wretched ring. I also ask what makes your characters stay loyal. Have they known betrayal and are determined not to do that themselves perhaps?

FACEBOOK – GENERAL

Many thanks to all who shared the recent piece about From Light to Dark and Back Again in Writing Magazine – and a quick hello to all at Southampton Writers’ Circle too. I discuss my recent review of A Comedy Trio (The Chameleon Theatre Group have put this on their website with permission – they liked it then!) and I am looking forward to hopefully getting to see more National Theatre Live, especially Shakespeare, as the year goes on.

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FACEBOOK PAGE – FROM LIGHT TO DARK AND BACK AGAIN

I share an extract from some notes I wrote for the flash fiction workshop I gave to the Southampton Writers’ Circle earlier this year. I discuss starting lines. Hope you find it helpful.

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Hercule Poirot (based on the style of portrayal of David Suchet. Image via Pixabay)

READING FOR PLEASURE AND QUICK TIPS

May 7, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Reading for Pleasure shares reasons why doing this is one of the most important things any writer can do to improve what they do. (I think it is the most important thing). Reading opens your mind to other worlds and so on. What do your characters read for pleasure? What books and stories would they choose? Use that to explore more about them.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

I share three Quick Tips which I hope you find useful. I discuss reading your work out loud (and why it matters). I also discuss marketing and not panicking about it – if you have a book out, you will be marketing it in different ways (without driving everyone nuts!) not just in the short term but in the long term too. I also discuss the need to find the right balance between marketing, getting on with your writing commitments and finding time to write new work. This last one I am struggling with at the moment but I know I will find the right key eventually. When I do I’ll stick with it!

CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

I didn’t get time to blog much yesterday but my current article for Chandler’s Ford Today is a review of A Comedy Trio staged by the Chameleon Theatre Group. This consisted of three short but very funny plays, all of which I found entertaining and were excellent character studies too. I also enjoyed playing “spot the reference” in some of them. One of the plays in particular had a distinct nod to the Rocky Horror Picture Show! Another had me sympathising with not just a hostage victim but the hostage taker too and yet it was funny. Really well done by the Chameleons and some excellent writing.

FACEBOOK PAGE – GENERAL

Yesterday, Friday 5th May it was about my Chandler’s Ford Today post. Today I discuss the joys of the Kindle and why I always seem to forget to take it with me when travelling because I’m too busy enjoying reading from it the night before and consequently leave it behind! Oh, the joys of human fallibility!

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FACEBOOK PAGE – PUBLICITY NEWS

I’m in Writing Magazine this month in the Members’ News Page plugging both From Light to Dark and Back Again and Baubles, the Bridge House Publishing anthology for 2016. My short story, Helping Out, is in there. The piece looks good and thanks go to friend and fellow Swanwick devotee, Jennifer C. Wilson (author of the excellent Kindred Spirits historical ghost fiction – it’s a great mix, go and have a look!) for sharing the page all over FB!!

Jennifer C Wilson with Allison Symes.

14 hrs ·

Always enjoy spotting a familiar face in Writing Magazine!

FACEBOOK PAGE – FROM LIGHT TO DARK AND BACK AGAIN

Again I share news of the Writing Magazine spot and some images I thought appropriate to go with it (some of which appear in the book trailer).

In a separate post I discuss how I got into flash fiction in the first place.

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Flash fiction should make a positive impression, no matter how brief it is! Image via Pixabay

PLAYING THE GAME

May 5, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Playing the Game means to me how your characters act in their fictional life. Do they play the game well (i.e. do they act honestly and honourably or are they cads?). How do your honourable characters handle those who will cheat and scheme? Do the latter win through their cheating or do the honourable ones win eventually? One thing I love about fairytales is that justice does tend to win out. The villains get their comeuppance and so on. Perhaps this is how we can tell it is a fairytale given what life can be like at times!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

In The Way We Are, I look at whether nature, nuture or a mixture of both make us what we are. I believe it is always a question of both incidentally. I ask what are the mistakes that have shaped us/our characters and which have changed the way we see the world? Why are your characters the way they are? (“Just because” isn’t a good enough answer!!). The great thing with answering a question like this well is it will then give your characters the depth that will make them appeal to your readers so it is worth digging deep and finding out why your characters “tick” the way they do.

CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

My post tomorrow is unique in that I review three short plays in one post! The plays were huge fun and I take the chance to look at why they work in terms of being able to identify with characters, sympathetic portrayals and so on. More tomorrow…

FACEBOOK PAGE – GENERAL

I share news of a book signing event coming up and I am in the pages of a national magazine today too. Writing Magazine has a subscribers’ section where you can share your latest writing news and I, of course, have shared news about From Light to Dark and Back Again. I also shared news of the classes I ran for the Southampton (UK) Writers’ Circle. (One nice thing is I know my publisher also subscribes to WM so she will be pleased when she spots this, especially as there is a nice picture of the book too!).

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FACEBOOK PAGE – FROM LIGHT TO DARK AND BACK AGAIN

As well as the news above, separately on the book’s FB page, I discuss what makes the perfect start to a story. Have a look and see if you agree!

Incidentally there is an Email button on this page so if you would like to contact me directly, this is probably the best way of doing so.

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Is everything in your fictional world as serene as it looks or are there hidden depths? Image via Pixabay

THE “PERFECT” CHARACTER

May 3, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

In The Perfect Character, I point out there is no such thing! What we as writers must do is create the character that is perfect for our purposes. Does every aspect of the character create the picture we are intending to create? Will the reader be convinced the character you’ve got carrying out Action X is actually capable of doing so? In a longer piece of fiction, you often need to write several thousand words before you really know your characters but this is where the rewrite is your friend! (And you can have as many of those as you like!).

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Character Building explores what I think is one of the most fun aspects of writing fiction. You get to create your own people and, unlike Doctor Frankenstein, remain in control of the whole process! I start with the dominant trait of a character, work out whether they would get on well with others or not (and explore the reasons), whether they have a sense of humour or not (doesn’t that tell you so much about someone in itself?). Funnily enough the physical description of a character is nearly always one of the last things Ii think about.

FACEBOOK PAGE – GENERAL

I share news of my book launch (8th July) which will be held at my local railway station. Debut authors makes tracks, anyone?

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FACEBOOK PAGE – FROM LIGHT TO DARK AND BACK AGAIN

I met Jennifer C Wilson (author of the Kindred Spirit series) at the Swanwick Writers’ Summer School last August and got on really well – with Swanwick and with each other! (We’ve already booked for this year’s Summer School!). Jennifer kindly reviewed my book and I share the link to that, though I recommend having a good look at her blog. Fascinating reading – and ideas for trips out in the Sunday Soujourn spot! (And huge amounts of kudos to anyone who has managed to get Soujourn back into usage – it’s a lovely sounding word).

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My debut flash fiction collection from Chapeltown Books

QUIZZING AND IDEAS FINDING

May 1, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

In Quizzing I share some questions that can be put to your characters to help you find out more about them (especially their hidden depths) before you write for/about them. I look at whether they have any regrets (a useful thing to know given regrets can change/inhibit behaviour) and what they really want. There are, of course, lots of questions you could put to a character but I think the three I’ve shared here are amongst the most useful you could ask.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Ideas Finding lives up to its title! I share a few sources of ideas, including proverbs, headlines, themes from songs etc, all of which I’ve found useful “spark” generators.

FACEBOOK PAGE – GENERAL

I look at the current series of Doctor Who and share some of what I love about the show, especially the “layers” to the writing here.

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FACEBOOK PAGE – FROM LIGHT TO DARK AND BACK AGAIN

I share another extract from when I was interviewed by fellow writer, Jacci Gooding. (Her short story collection, A Collection of Unsettling Stories, really does live up to its name!). I take a look at the million dollar question – where do I find my ideas?

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My second post here tonight looks at the genre in which I write and what drew me to it.

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Themes pour out of good books - image via Pixabay

Themes, and ideas, pour out of a good book. Image via Pixabay

WHAT IS A GOOD STORY?

April 29, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

In What is a Good Story? I list five pointers as to what every good story should have, regardless of genre, format or length. I include strong characters, plot and a powerful opening amongst others. Do you agree with my thoughts? Is there anything I’ve left out? Comments welcome…

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

One Line Stories shares some one-liners. I love this kind of writing exercise. I tend to use one-liners like this to start me off for flash fiction work. (Occasionally I use the one-liners to end the story with). But there’s no reason why these one-liners can’t be taken and worked into much longer tales. Good luck and have fun with these (I intend to at some point!).

ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN WRITERS – MORE THAN WRITERS

More than Writers is the blog for the Association of Christian Writers. I blog on the 29th of each month and April’s post from me is about my favourite Easter characters, Thomas and Peter.

CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY/FACEBOOK PAGE (GENERAL)

My topic for the Chandler’s Ford Today post this week is Great Themes. I take two approaches to themes for stories. I do sometimes deliberately write to a theme. Other times I focus on the character and what they come up with and the theme emerges from that. I discuss themes for both stories and music and have the great joy of sharing some of my favourite songs here. Everyone from Dave Edmunds to Maria Callas is included in this one!

FACEBOOK PAGE – FROM LIGHT TO DARK AND BACK AGAIN

Firstly, I hope to have news of a book signing soon.

Secondly, I shared both my CFT post and my Fairytales With Bite posts on here as the topics of themes and what makes a good story I thought were appropriate for my book’s Facebook page too.

Thirdly, I can’t resist sharing the trailer again! Many thanks to all at Chapeltown Books for producing it. Think it looks and sounds fabulous.

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WHAT MAKES A GOOD WRITER?

April 26, 2017Leave a comment

Now here is one of those questions that will never date!

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

In What Makes a Good Writer? I share my thoughts on the issue. Amongst other things, I cite the importance of not giving up. A good writer will know their characters “inside out”. When you read a piece by them, you are left with the feeling that nothing else could have been added. I also strongly suspect any such piece of writing will have gone through multiple edits. I do know that if anything looks easy, whoever is behind that anything will have worked extremely hard to get to that point!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Developing the Vision looks at whether it is more important to see your characters or whether hearing their voice is better. I always hear my major characters speak and I then work out what they look like. I like hearing the characters – I can gauge their attitude to life and I think that is far more vital than knowing immediately what their appearance is. That tends to be one of the last aspects I “fill in”.

FACEBOOK PAGE – GENERAL

A short post tonight looking at how characters can inspire a story.

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FACEBOOK PAGE – FROM LIGHT TO DARK AND BACK AGAIN

I look at outlining and discuss why I do this now, when I never used to. I stress the advantages and, yes, I’ve outlined for flash fiction too!

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Never give up, work hard, be disciplined... all valuable traits for success, whether you're a tennis player, a writer or a character in a story! Image via Pixabay.

LIVING IN A MAGICAL WORLD – THE ADVANTAGES

April 25, 2017Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Living in a Magical World – The Advantages shares some reasons why being in a magical environment can be a good thing. You can genuinely get to work for the fairy government and destroy things magically and get paid for doing so. Why? To improve spell efficiency! And if you ever wanted to be able to talk to animals and they to you, the magical world is the place to be. Just be prepared for them to have better conversation than you might have though!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Facing Something New looks at how easy (or otherwise) your characters and you too as a writer find this. I know I find it helpful to have a writing routine, for example, but there are times I have to change it due to life events and so on. This used to flummox me but it doesn’t now. I accept it as one of those things and I will always resume my writing routine when I can. But how well do your characters take to having to do something new?

FACEBOOK PAGE – GENERAL

An age old writing question tonight – which is the most important, character or plot? See if you agree with my thoughts. Comments welcome.

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FACEBOOK PAGE – FROM LIGHT TO DARK AND BACK AGAIN

I was interviewed last year by fellow writer and friend, Jacci Gooding. One question I thought would be good to share on this page was “how do you think you’ve evolved creatively?” Fantastic question and great to answer. See my thoughts on the topic. (And how do you think you’ve evolved creatively?!).

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The wonderful world of stories… Image via Pixabay.