The world of the imagination should play a role in your stories. I can't imagine any world without some form of the arts. Image via Pixabay.

FAIRYTALES IN A FLASH

December 6, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Fairytales in a Flash shares my love of flash fiction and fairytales. One lovely thing about flash is it is very flexible when it comes to genre. In my upcoming book, From Light to Dark and Back Again (Chapeltown Books), I have stories which are borderline horror, others are crime tales, while the majority are fairytales with bite. So have fun with the form – I have (and am now working on another flash fiction collection so intend to keep on having fun with it!).

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

What Not to Say to a Writer is one of those posts that could attract lots of additional points to the ones I’ve made (feel free!). I’ve listed the “where do you get your ideas?” and the “I’d write if I had more time” line but what can you come up with here? For novelists, I’d add in something like “you’ve written one novel – is that all?”. For all writers, why are there misunderstandings about how long it can take to produce a good story (and a good novel takes even longer)? Has film and TV made everyone expect stories instantly? (False premise if so, it takes ages to produce something that’s ready for broadcast).

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Today (5th December) was my 29th wedding anniversary. Had a lovely day out with better half and the dog. None of us can believe where the time has gone! (Okay Mabel has only been with us for 4 years out of that 29 but she can’t believe where that time has gone!). Managed to catch up with some reading tonight as well which was great. And I put in a plug for flash fiction again – I won’t bother to pretend I’m not biased. I am!

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

Mabel. Image taken by me.

How the very best fairytales start... Image via Pixabay

A DASH WITH THE FLASH

November 26, 2016Leave a comment

I do have a soft spot for rhyming titles so when I get the chance to write one…

Tonight’s theme is flash fiction.

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I share a new flash fiction story, The Magician, on FWB and discuss why I love writing flash. Hope you like the story. Let’s just say pet owners will identify with this one. I love flash because I can use it as a format for writing moments which simply aren’t enough in themselves to sustain a standard length short story. The Magician I think is a good example of that.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Moments in Flash describe what I look for when writing a flash piece. I need a moment to get me started or finished and I can work from there. Flash is the only format in which I sometimes start with the ending and work backward to the start point. It is also brilliant for using a punchline (and I love those). I sometimes use the Hemingway six words story exercise to get me started on a piece. I also share how I started writing flash fiction.

CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

I’m pleased to share news of a local author book launch for this week’s post. Jottings from the Trans-Siberian Railway by Martin Kyrle and Michael Roberts is being launched at the Independent Holiday Shop in The Brooks, Winchester on Saturday 3rd December. The book is aimed at armchair travellers and railway fans. I’m only sorry I can’t go but it is for the best reasons. I’ll be at the Bridge House Publishing/Cafelit joint book launch for Baubles and The Best of Cafelit 5 respectively. I have stories in both of these and am looking forward to catching up with everyone again. I very much hope the launch in Winchester for Messrs. Kyrle and Roberts goes well. I also hope the launch in London for Bridge House and Cafelit also goes well.

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Again I share news about the Jottings book launch. I also report I’ve sent the proof back now on my flash fiction collection (and it looks good!).

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En route. Image via Pixabay.

One joy of blogging is the ease of publication... Image via Pixabay

FLASH FICTION PERKS

November 17, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Flash Fiction Perks shares what I think are some of the advantages of flash fiction. Can you add to the list? (I do love a list… but then you will have gathered that by now). Flash fiction can be a great way of writing humorous incidents which, in themselves, would not be nearly long enough to make a standard story. And there are plenty of markets and competitions out there. What’s not to like?

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Fiction Feedback shares what I look for in a good story adjudication. I know, I know – another list! – but I hope this might help those trying to decide whether to go for a critique on their work or not. (And where you can get word of mouth recommendation from another writer as to how good Publication X’s feedback is, so much the better).

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I had the great joy and privilege of judging the Greensleeves short story competition run by the Southampton Writers’ Circle this evening. A huge thank you to all for the warm welcome and kind comments. Look forward to seeing your stories in print in due course!!

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Whether you write flash fiction or other kinds of story, brainstorming sessions are invaluable. I have, less often, used them to generate ideas for non-fiction work. 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.

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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!

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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.

Come sunrise the fairies (and fairytale witches) must vanish. Image via Pixabay.

OFFENDING A FAIRYTALE WITCH

October 25, 2016Leave a comment

I love writing a mixture of funny posts and those that share writing tips/thoughts about writing, hence tonight’s billings!

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Offending a Fairytale Witch is full of hints and tips for anyone brave or insane enough to give this a go. It’s not something I’d do but then I like (a) living and (b) going to bed the same shape and species with which I began the day. Call me fussy and all that but we all have our lines we won’t cross and this is one of mine. Still the great thing is even if you’re not brave or insane enough to offend a fairytale witch, like me you can always enjoy reading about what you could do but for health and safety reasons have wisely chosen not to indulge in!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Turning from the ridiculous to what I hope is the more sensible (and maybe sublime?), What is a Good Story shares what I think makes for a truly gripping tale. Do you agree with my findings? Can you add to them? I’ve deliberated not named any specific stories but the principles of my list apply across all genres and word counts.

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Today was lovely in that I sent back the proofs for my short story, Helping Out, which will be appearing in Bridge House Publishing’s annual anthology soon. This year’s anthology is called Baubles and I am looking forward to going to the launch event in London in December. It will be a joint launch with Cafelit and I am thrilled I have a flash fiction piece, Telling the Time, in their compilation, The Best of Cafelit 5. It has been a good year for my short stories and I very much hope to build on this in 2017.

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A way into the magical realm, perhaps? Image via Pixabay.

Hard at work. While writing should always be fun, the work of getting it fit for publication shouldn't be underestimated. Image via Pixabay.

FAVOURITE STORIES

October 5, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

A character’s favourite stories can tell you a great deal about the character so this can be useful in helping to portray them as fully rounded beings. What makes the favourite stories so well loved by your characters? What legends are they brought up on and which would be their sacred texts? I ask these questions and others in tonight’s post. There are stories to be had writing the story behind the story!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

What every character wants is the theme here tonight. Are you giving your characters what they want?! My short check list may be a useful place to start!

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I talk about my methods of writing a short story, sending it off to a competition (usually) and then immediately starting another one. Sometimes I write a story and later a suitable competition comes up so I send the piece off. But this method of working means by the end of a year, I have written a reasonable number of stories. I tend to write flash fiction in small batches. I don’t know why but it seems to work for me.

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Where stories used to start – P.G. Wodehouse and Agatha Christie, two of my favourite authors, must have produced billions of words between them on typewriters. Image via Pixabay.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

October 4, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly are all found in classic fairytales, probably the best example is Beauty and the Beast. The good is Beauty, the bad is the witch who cursed the prince and Beast is the ugly one, though I’ve always loved this tale for its message that what you look like should not be the be all and end all. (A side message is be careful when offending someone who looks harmless as they might not be and turning someone else into a monstrous being is one of their specialities!). How can you use these elements? I have a look at that in this post.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

I look at rituals and habits in At the End of the Day and ask what do your characters do at the end of their day? Do they follow their own habits or is everyone expected to follow a set routine? (If the latter, you know the world you’ve created is run by a control freak!). How your characters wind down for the night (or day as appropriate) can reveal much about them and how they differ from others in stories.

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Today saw one of those lovely moments in the life of a writer: that moment when you open a parcel of books you’ve ordered but your story is in them! My flash fiction piece, Telling the Time, is in The Best of Cafelit 5 (available in print and electronically). The link takes you to the Amazon page. My story is one of my 100 word stories but there’s a lovely mix of very short stories like that and longer ones so there should be something to suit all tastes in short story length!

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The old way of writing a story! Image via Pixabay

Writing the first drafts! Image via Pixabay.

GOING BACK IN TIME

October 3, 2016Leave a comment

One of my heroes, Doctor Who, is of course renowned for this but my posts tonight are on the topic of the past and how this could affect your characters and plot.

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I talk about a magical education in tonight’s post and how that affects your characters. Are they getting an education now to make up for lost time in their past? What happened to make them need to do this? How does the education they’ve had affect the decisions they’re making now? After all someone who is illiterate would be very dependent on someone else for interpreting any written documents they come across. Can they trust the ones helping them?

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Going Back is tonight’s post and looks at how revisiting places can affect your characters. I love visiting places of historical interest and always come away from them having learned something new. I also come away with a deeper appreciation I can read and write. This has not always been universal, especially for women. The past has a deep impact on now and at least in terms of general education in the developed world this has been a major improvement. (And yes I wish this was true everywhere).

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I talk about revisiting the past and education again here. This topic came to mind as I reblogged a post (first time ever!) from Tales From the Notepad’s Sunday Sojourn series where their post was about Fotheringay Castle. I would love to visit what remains here given it is the birthplace of Richard III (and I must try and get to Leicester at some point too).

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OTHER NEWS

Have sent off a new fairytale for a writing competition. I’m currently developing a flash fiction tale into a longer piece of work given the initial idea has sparked other ideas. I love that when it happens and of course I can hopefully place the flash fiction piece in one place and the longer work somewhere else should it all work out okay.

Am also currently working my way through some fantastic interview questions put to me by short story author, Jacci Gooding, who I met at Winchester Writers’ Festival. Will post details of when the interview will appear when I know more but am enjoying being on the other side of the fence. I love carrying out writer interviews and indeed reading them, as I always learn something (one of the great joys of writing at all for me), but it has felt a bit odd having questions put to me! It is a very good “odd” though!!

Blogging via diaries and tablets – ancient and modern technology! Image via Pixabay.

The world's most beautiful library perhaps? Image via Pixabay.

A MUSICAL NIGHT

September 10, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Tonight’s post is called A Peek Into My Writing World and also links into the second half of my Chandler’s Ford Today post by the same name that is up on site today. The title of the post gives a good description of the contents (as it should!) but I mention in it that as I typed it I was listening to one of my musical highlights of the year, The Last Night of the Proms. I wonder what role music could play in fiction and whether it could act as a kind of code too.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Tonight’s post is called Favourite Music and I look at what kind of music characters could like and whether is a direct reflection on their personality or not. I also talk about whether music could be suppressed by an austere government given almost anything can be expressed by music (and the arts in general come to that).

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I discuss the Proms again and link to my Chandler’s Ford Today post as well here tonight.

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CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

The second half of my post for CFT this week is called A Peek Into My Writing World and I share why I have artificial roses on my writing desk, who I owe my love of stories to and the importance of never giving up. Rework your stories, test them regularly in the market but never ever give up. I mention this as my flash fiction book acceptance had made me look back into just how long I’d seriously been writing for publication – and it is at least 10 to 15 years. Can’t be more specific than that as I changed direction from novels to short stories (though I still hope to get my novels published one day).

The best advice for any writer. Image via Pixabay.