Do your characters know in which direction they're going? (Border collie is optional!). Image via Pixabay.

A FAIRY’S CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

December 29, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Have you ever wondered if a fairy is allowed to send in their own wishes to Santa (working on the assumption they are definitely not permitted to grant their own)? Wonder no more! A Fairy’s Christmas Wish List shares what I think would be on such a list. And I even include a wish a lazy fairy would ask for too.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

I discuss Christmas Customs in tonight’s post. I share a few of mine but ask what your fictional characters would do in way of celebrating a festival that was important to them/their society? Does your fictional world observe other civilisations, including ours, and what does it make of our customs and festivals?

FACEBOOK PAGE

This is a “hello, I’m back” kind of post and I share news of how Mabel, my border collie, is doing after she was so ill. I also hope everyone had lots of lovely books for Christmas!

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One way through to the magical world but is it all sunshine and flowers? I doubt it! Image via Pixabay

WHAT HAPPENED AFTERWARDS?

December 13, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

What Happened Afterwards discusses what happened to certain characters after The End had been written? I find a really good story does make you wonder what would happen to characters after the official ending. See what you think!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Christmas Customs discusses what customs are followed at this time of year in your fictional world. Does everyone join in with these customs? What happens to those who don’t conform? I ask a series of questions connected with customs which should inspire some story ideas.

FACEBOOK PAGE

I discuss the joys of writing, reading and books in tonight’s FB post. I also share one of the things I love about Christmas Day.

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Images from the magical world… Image via Pixabay

Whatever quest they are going on, I discuss 5 things no fairytale character should be without. Image by me!

FIVE THINGS NO FAIRYTALE CHARACTER SHOULD BE WITHOUT

November 24, 2016Leave a comment

Short and sweet posts from me tonight…

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I do love titles that tell you all about the contents of the post and I think my Five Things No Fairytale Character should be Without fits well into my “collection”! As ever, can you add to the list?

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Fantastic Flash Fiction again fits in my with my “title tells you all you need to know” theme! I list several reasons why I think flash fiction really is a fantastic form of storytelling. Do you agree?

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I discuss Ben Macintyre’s The Last Word, which includes a very funny study into George W Bush’s unique take on the English language. It is also a thoughtful study and a great read. Highly recommend.

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

Stories come in all kinds of formats including tapestries! Image via Pixabay.

YOUR DAY IS ABOUT TO WORSEN WHEN…

November 11, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Your Day is about to Worsen When shares tell tale signs you are about to go through some very hard times indeed as a character in a story. For example it is never good when a wizard suddenly turns up on your doorstep, tells you that you’re about to go on a quest and, by the way, you can’t refuse as the powers of evil are already pursuing you! Can you add anything to my list?

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Why I Love Flash Fiction shares some of the advantages I think there are to writing these stories. For example by their very nature, they have to be short and that helps put a good pace into the story. What other advantages can you think of?

CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

Just to say my post tomorrow is a review of All My Sons by Arthur Miller. More details tomorrow but I discuss some of the history of the play too.

FACEBOOK PAGE

I share the Amazon link to Baubles, Bridge House Publishing’s anthology for this year. my story, Helping Out, is in there. I also discuss what’s coming up in my next Chandler’s Ford Today post and what fiction work I’m currently getting ready for a competition.

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Bookshops are vital to encourage literary – image via Pixabay.

STORIES BITING BACK

November 1, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Stories Biting Back shares my thoughts on flash fiction and how they must pack a punch. I also share a link with Chapeltown Books, who have a blog page up about the flash fiction collections they are currently producing. The three authors selected so far are Neil Campbell, Gill James and myself. The link shares samples of work from Neil and myself. My flash sample is A Kind of Hell. Hope you like it.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Creating Worlds again shares the link with Chapeltown Books but also discusses one major thing I love about stories and books in general. That is: each story or book, regardless of length, takes you into its own world and there is no limit to how many worlds you can visit. The more you read, the more worlds you visit so happy travelling!

FACEBOOK PAGE

Again I share links with Chapeltown Books. On this link there are also Amazon connections to The Best of Cafelit series. I have work in Best of 4 and 5 and reviewed 3! No surprises here but I’m all for supporting the independent presses!!

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All books are gateways to other worlds, fantasy and science fiction especially I think. Image via Pixabay.

FICTIONAL TEACHING, ADVICE AND INTERVIEWS

October 29, 2016Leave a comment

Both of my website posts tonight were inspired by my Chandler’s Ford Today interview post with Barbara Large, the second part of which went up on site tonight. Link below.

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I look at fictional interviews in tonight’s post and these can be a great way of revealing more about characters (both interviewer and interviewee) as long as the interview serves the story and moves it onwards to its conclusion.

Some of my previous posts on my websites have discussed interviewing your own characters and that can be a useful technique to find out more what makes them tick. But whether the interview is actually in the story or you are using one to help flesh out your portrayal of a character, it should convey significant information, which is crucial to your story in some way.

This is because you may well find out something about the character that you had not originally envisioned but the interview brings out. Find out where that takes you, it could be fun (!), indeed I think it should be fun (!!), and it should add depth to your character portrayal if nothing else.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Teaching and Advice looks at the role of teachers, advisors/mentors in the role of fiction. What experience do they have? How does it help the one they are advising? Are the teachers and advisors generally respected or not (and why is this the case)? Plenty of story ideas to be found here I think!

FACEBOOK PAGE

I share details of my Chandler’s Ford Today post, which is part 2 of my interview with Barbara Large.

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CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

Part 2 of my interview with Barbara Large is now on site and, as ever, Barbara shares a wealth of advice for writers of all backgrounds. It was a great joy to meet up with her again and I can’t overestimate how much she has supported writers of fiction (all genres) and non-fiction over the years. It was lovely to talk to her and thank you, Barbara, for sparing your very precious time for the interview.

The Writing Life with Barbara Large is a two part interview and now available via Chandler’s Ford Today, Image via Pixabay.

The joy of writing does not need technology (at least not to start with!). Image via Pixabay.

YOU KNOW IT’S A BAD WEEK WHEN…

October 21, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

You Know It’s a Bad Week When takes a humorous look at what could make up a bad week if you lived in a fairytale world. And if you’ve got the three little pigs thinking you know nothing about building materials, then you really are in trouble!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Reading Matters looks at whether, in your fictional setting, characters are free to read as they choose. It also asks what does your character read for pleasure.

CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

Just a brief note to say tomorrow’s post is part 1 of an interview with someone very special who has done so much to help writers over the years. More tomorrow!

FACEBOOK PAGE

I round up what I have been up to writing wise.

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What a library! Image via Pixabay.

Enough books to be going on with for now anyway.... Image via Pixabay

WORDS TO THE WISE

October 16, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

There are a lot of highly gullible characters in fairytales. Snow White is one of the worst. Words to the Wise shares why I think that and also gives some handy tips, especially about food and drink related matters, which Snow White and Alice in Wonderland should have followed. I also give advice on never putting yourself in a debt to a powerful magical being and what to do if you come across a dog that laughs and a cow that jumps over the moon (as there are certain things you should check out if you find yourself in this (admittedly unlikely) situation! Always best to be prepared though!).

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Character Reactions is a follow on to yesterday’s post when I looked at how characters treat each other. The flip side to this, of course, is how characters react to the treatment they receive, especially if it is unjust. Why do your characters react the way they do? Previous experience? Are they reacting in a way their society expects them to or do they fall apart? If the latter, do they “get put back together again” (the way Humpty Dumpty would have wished he could have been!) and how does this happen? How do your characters learn from their experiences?

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I discuss the variety of stories and books I’m reading on Kindle and in print and how reading widely across genres sparks ideas for writers. The more you read (in and out of your chosen genre), the more you give your mind to feed upon and it is in that process ideas spark. So if you want lots of story ideas, read widely! (And it is huge fun and a great way of supporting other authors. How can you know what you want to write without knowing what is already out there? Inspiration also sparks from what is out there already. It is your take on characters that makes your plots and stories original after all. Christopher Booker’s The Seven Basic Plots is a fascinating read incidentally.).

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The world’s most beautiful library perhaps? Image via Pixabay. But lots of lovely stories to read which may well spark off ideas for other stories. Only problem? Where to start!

The modern way to read - the Kindle. Image via Pixabay.

IF THERE WERE A FAIRYTALE WITCH’S CONFERENCE…

October 10, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I continue with the theme of conferences and look at what might be on offer for an event held for fairytale witches. This, of course, assumes you could get enough fairytale witches together who would not squabble or curse each other for long enough to get through the day itself in one piece. Frankly this is assuming a lot…

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

I discuss classical music in tonight’s post and how I now love listening to it as I write. There was a time when I couldn’t write with music in the background at all. I found it was affecting my mood and therefore how/what I wrote! But classical does not seem to have that affect. It’s either that or I’ve matured a bit as a writer to block out distractions! From a writing viewpoint, I ask how music comes into play (some pun intended!) in your fictional creations.

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I’m feeling chuffed I’ve managed to catch up with some reading today. I discuss that and advances in technology when it comes to books (whether reading or writing them) in tonight’s post.

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My own library is not on this scale but isn’t this a fabulous place? Image via Pixabay (of Leeds Castle).

The Hayes Conference Centre, Derbyshire.

THE DANGERS OF REVIEWING MAGICAL BOOKS

October 7, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

There are some jobs that the sensible would avoid at all costs. One of these is being a magical book reviewer. Tonight’s FWB post looks how a magical book reviewer might set about their task – and yes, carefully is one answer!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Spreading the Word discusses (briefly) the need that all authors have to do what they can in this regard. I do take my own advice (!) and share news of the latest anthology my work appears in on my News page. (The Best of Cafelit 5 published by Chapeltown Books and available in print and electronically. There! I’ve taken my own advice again – links on my website!).

From a fictional viewpoint, this post discusses how your characters might spread the word. The post asks how technology has developed in your story worlds and, if it hasn’t, asks why not? Is the media controlled in your settings? Are stories still told in the oral tradition? Answering these questions could trigger some really good stories. (Orwell’s 1984 being the ultimate re the media control one I think).

CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

I discuss what makes a good writing conference in tonight’s CFT post and share my thoughts based on my experience of attending the Winchester and Swanwick conferences. I share some of my photos taken at Swanwick. The conference there is held at The Hayes Conference Centre in Derbyshire. The grounds are lovely and the accommodation very comfortable. Only trouble? I ate far too much when I was away there! Still it is a nice trouble to have…and I certainly wasn’t the only one!

FACEBOOK PAGE

My FB author page tonight shares the link with my Chandler’s Ford Today post where I discuss good writing conferences. I share what I have learned about what to look out for, based on my experience of the Winchester Writers’ Festival and, for the first time this year, the Swanwick Summer Writers’ School. Hope the post helps those who are considering going to a conference for the first time.

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One of the lakes at The Hayes Conference Centre, Derbyshire, which is home to the Swanwick Summer Writers’ School. Image taken by me this year. Lovely place to walk around.