One of the best ways to escape is with a good book. Image via Pixabay.

ATTRACTIVE CHARACTER TRAITS

November 6, 2016November 6, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Attractive Character Traits discusses what I think are the most attractive traits any character can have. Top of the list is persistence – and Andy Murray’s wonderful achievement in becoming world # 1 in men’s tennis (especially in this era) put me in mind of this. See what you think about my list. Can you add anything?

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Escaping discusses how characters escape – from literal danger (escapes must be credible) to leaving behind daily work cares etc. How do they do the latter? What hobbies and interests do they have to help them achieve that sense of escape?

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Being a tennis fan, I couldn’t let Andy Murray’s achievement today pass without comment but I also link it to hard work and persistence also being of vital importance to writers.

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CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

Just a quick thanks to all who have commented so far on my Top 10 Classical Greats post from yesterday. Some pieces of music listed I know, others I don’t (but will look up and play!).

Hard at work. Image via Pixabay. Music (playing and listening) can be a great form of escapism, which is one topic I look at tonight.

A Magical, Classical Night out. Image via Pixabay.

CLASSICAL MUSIC AND FICTION

November 5, 2016Leave a comment

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The Role of Classical Music in Fiction asks if music is controlled in your fiction setting – that is, can musicians play what they want or do they have to stick to a repetoire? What are the consequences if they don’t? Also is your world developed enough to have radio or when people want music, is it a question of going out to concerts? Does the state encourage people to do this? (Too busy enjoying music, too busy to question them!).

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Now you may spot a theme developing when I mention my post here tonight is called Musical Tastes. (A) You’re right (!) and (B) the theme all ties in with my Chandler’s Ford Today blog for this week. More on that shortly. But in this post, I ask what the status of music and musicians are in your fictional world? What can you reveal about a character’s love (or otherwise) of music to show more about them?

CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

I write all of my CFT posts as a labour of love but every so often one stands out, for me at least, as a particularly special one. Tonight’s post is one of those. My Top 10 Classical Music Greats shares my favourite pieces of music, some wonderful You Tube clips and I hope also brings back some memories. For example, one piece I’ve chosen is Ravel’s Bolero. Where were you in 1984 when Torvill and Dean raised figure skating to an all time high with their dance on ice interpretation of this? Hope you like the post. I loved writing it and comments as to your favourite classical music pieces would be very welcome in the CFT comments box.

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No surprises here but I talk about my CFT post and again provide a link.

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Classical Music score. Image via Pixabay.

Where almost all stories spring from these days. Image via Pixabay.

MAGICAL COMPETENCE AND GOOD STORY CRITERIA

November 3, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I discuss what any magical being needs to be able to do in Tests for Magical Competence. Even the lowliest sprite can achieve the items in my list. Of course the ones you’ve really got to worry about are those who are not only magically efficient, they are magically formidable!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

I discuss the criteria for what I think makes for a good story in Criteria for A Good Story. Some of my items are interesting characters, a story that I remember (for good reasons!) long after I’ve read it and where the outcome really matters. Do you agree with my list? What could you add to it?

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I discuss what’s coming up in my Chandler’s Ford Today post for this week and why I think autumn is not my border collie’s favourite season.

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CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

Due up on site tomorrow will be my Top 10 Classical Greats. More details tomorrow.

A truly beautiful library but do the books in it meet my criteria for what makes a good story. I would hope so! Image via Pixabay.

Fairytale magic can go awry - characters lose powers or become power obsessed. Neither is a pretty sight. Image via Pixabay.

FIVE SIGNS

November 3, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

In our world, some worry about losing their hair. Others worry about losing their general appeal. In the magical world characters worry about losing their magical abilities. Five Signs Your Character is Losing Their Magical Ability describes the five most common signs this is happening to your character. The most common cause is being cursed.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Power obsession is an ugly thing. Five Signs Your Character is Becoming Power Obsessed shows the most common signs this is happening to your character. What will be really interesting is what happens to your plot as a result!

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A shorter post tonight and I look at a query most dog owners will have – namely why their pet takes so long to do its night time business when it is freezing outside. When it is mild they are back in the house within a minute or so. Guess who froze tonight?! I also discuss the wonderful changing leaf colours around me. And I share what I’m reading at the moment in general terms. What are you reading? And now, in the UK, the nights are drawing in earlier, are you reading more?

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Fairies are not twee creatures... tonight I ask what do fairytale characters most care about. Image via Pixabay

Fairies are not twee creatures. They are dangerous, especially if they think rivals are losing magical ability. Image via Pixabay

Shakespeare had his quill, modern writers have their laptops. Image via Pixabay.

SEASONAL CHANGES

November 2, 2016Leave a comment

Given we are now into November, tonight’s posts look at autumnal changes in different ways.

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

The Time of the Year asks what are your characters’ favourite times of year and why? Could the answers here show something about their state of mind? (If they like autumn/winter do they tend to be melancolic, for example?).

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

On the other hand, the title for the post here tonight indicates a more lighthearted theme! Autumnal Flying Hazards For Your Average Magical Being does sum up the post nicely though and looks at hazards that could reasonably be expected at this time of the year in any magical realm.

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I discuss Vincent, the song by Don McLean and the episode of Doctor Who tonight and share one of my favourite You Tube clips. I share the clip again here. This also makes a great introduction to the works of Van Gogh. The clip was originally put up several years ago by Anthony DiFatta.

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One of my favourite book images. They really are magical. Transportation into other worlds and around this one in a few hundred pages. Brilliant! Image via Pixabay.

WHEN A CHARACTER KNOWS THEY’RE IN TROUBLE

October 31, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

When a Character knows they’re in trouble is another of my “sum it all up in the title” posts! A short, sharp list of points for a character to ponder – do you agree with what I’ve come up with? Can you add to the list?

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Reviewing Characters is another sum it up title! I appear to be on a roll with these tonight! But it occurred to me it would be no bad thing for writers to review their characters every so often. Are the characters still coming across the way you want them to do so? If not is this because they’ve developed and do you need to change your story to handle that development correctly? Characters should change and develop of course, it’s the classic sign they “live” (and as a result so does the story), but a check to see the character is still “up to the job” is no bad thing I feel.

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I was really pleased Andy Murray won in Vienna. I discuss my thoughts on that and the creative arts in my FB page tonight. A strange mix? I don’t think so. Sports people can be creative in how they play after all (AM is a great example of that. Some of his shots take my breath away in a “how the hell did he do that” kind of way). I also love the fact that there are so many forms of creative arts, so much so there is bound to be at least one to suit most people!

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When I’m not at my desk, I’m likely to be in the swimming pool or walking the dog (never both at the same time!). Image via Pixabay.

Looking into the past... Image via Pixabay

WHAT FAIRYTALE CHARACTERS MOST CARE ABOUT

October 30, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

What Fairytale Characters most care about is about…. well I do love titles that sum a blog post up. See if you agree with what I’ve come up with here. Can you add to my list?

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Provoking a Reaction discusses what I think makes a successful story or even blog post. It has to provoke a reaction in the reader. Your characters have got to care about the outcome of the story. Your readers have to care about the outcome for the characters or the overall outcome for a non-fiction piece.

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I went to see Arthur Miller’s All My Sons tonight so briefly discuss that (plan to review at a later date). I also share my dislike of fireworks – I own a dog and see the distress the wretched things cause though a calming diffuser seems to have positive effects. I’m also feeling a little virtuous as I tidied up my writing desk a bit (never a favourite task).

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Fairies are not twee creatures… tonight I ask what do fairytale characters most care about. 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!

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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.

HAPPY EVER AFTER AND THE REAL YOU

October 27, 2016Leave a comment

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Happy Ever After? discusses the classic fairytale ending (in most cases) versus the modern tendency to have a “happy for now” scenario. I’m not that keen on the latter, though I can understand it and I share my thoughts as to why here. What do you think?

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

The Real “You” looks at our tendency to cover up those less impressive aspects of ourselves, especially when we are trying to impress someone. Our characters should be doing this too and in this post I ask who are they trying to impress, what are they covering up and do other characters see through it all?

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I look at a writing exercise I tried at Swanwick where I had to give advice to my 20 year old self. Tonight’s FB page discusses that. And yes I did tell myself to lighten up! I remember being very intense at that age. I also tell myself to start writing sooner… oh I wish I had!

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CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

Just a quick reminder that part 2 of my interview with the wonderful Barbara Large, MBE, founder of what is now known as the Winchester Writers’ Festival, will be appearing this coming Friday.

What world will you enter when you next read a good story? Image via Pixabay.

Story Shuffle Project: Choosing what to read. Image supplied by Eastleigh Borough Council.

EXPECTATIONS OF A FAIRY GODMOTHER

October 23, 2016Leave a comment

I’ve written lists tonight for both of my website posts. I do love a good list!

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Expectations of a Fairy Godmother lists ten things an experienced fairy godmother should expect during the course of her career. If you can think of any to add, I’d welcome comments!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Why Annoying a Writer is Not a Good Idea gives 10 reasons why this is so. Again, if you can think of others, I’d be glad to get your comments! This post was inspired by a Facebook photo doing the rounds earlier this evening.

CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

I’ve written a quick update post tonight on the Story Shuffle Project. This project is a great way of encouraging local school children to create their own stories and use their local libraries.

The idea is they write a story which, for this project, will be based on the tales of Sir Bevis of Hampton, Southampton’s legendary hero – think James Bond on tapestries basically!). The stories are then digitised and put into the Shuffle app.

The children are given a code and have to visit their local library to use this code to unlock their own stories and gain access to a wealth of other books and stories. From a writer’s viewpoint there is nothing not to like about this – creative writing and library use, wow!

I do hope all who use this project have a great deal of fun with it. Tonight’s update shares further images sent into CFT about this. I think the app looks great. See what you think! (And I hope ideas like this spread – great use of technology, stories, history, animation etc).

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I share news of my CFT update and must thank Eastleigh Borough Council for supplying the images. They support the Story Shuffle Project because of its role in encouraging creative writing and reading. I must also thank my lovely editor for re-arranging the feature image. She is very creative on this sort of thing!

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Story Shuffle Project: Code Setter. Image supplied by Eastleigh Borough Council.