Tag: interviews

FICTIONAL TEACHING, ADVICE AND INTERVIEWS

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

 

Creative writing takes many forms, including blogging. Image via Pixabay.

DEDICATION IS WHAT YOU NEED

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FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

When I was growing up, one of my favourite children’s TV shows was Record Breakers, hosted by the late and much missed Roy Castle.  It would share examples of records broken and the editors of the Guinness Book of Records at that time, the Macwhirter Brothers, would share fantasic examples of people’s dedication so they could achieve this or that feat.  The closing theme tune had the marvellous words “dedication is what you need” and Dedication is the title of my post tonight.  Hope the following You Tube clip of the opening to Record Breakers brings back some happy memories for those like me who grew up in the 1970s.

My post looks at the dedication characters must show and I issue a challenge too!  Name a character you really love and look at the reasons why you like them.  Dedication to their cause (good or evil) will come up.  Try it and see!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

A short post here tonight (to make up for FWB tonight perhaps!) but this one looks at Your Life’s Work.  Both themes for FWB and TWAO tie in with my Chandler’s Ford Today post (more on that shortly).  In this post tonight, I look at what is your character’s life’s work?  What gets in the way of them achieving it?

CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

I recently had the wonderful experience of interviewing Barbara Large, MBE, founder of the Winchester Writers’ Festival.  I don’t think it is possible to overstate just how much help and encouragement she has given writers from all backgrounds and genres over the years. In this interview (and the one to come next week), she generously shares inspirational writing advice, talks about some of her favourite authors and what was the hardest thing she had to do when organising the Festival.  A fascinating insight into a very rich and varied writing life.  I hope you enjoy it.  Below is a You Tube clip which sums up beautifully why the Festival is such a wonderful experience.

FACEBOOK PAGE

I share details of my Chandler’s Ford Today post tonight, which is Part 1 of my interview with Barbara Large, MBE (founder of the Winchester Writers’ Festival as it is now known).  Part 2 to follow next week.

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If there were such a thing as a conference for fairy godmothers, maybe one workshop would discuss how to ensure a good supply of ingredients (to definitely include pumpkins!). Image via Pixabay.

FAIRY (AND OTHER) CONFERENCES

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FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I returned from a wonderful day at the Association of Christian Writers’ conference in London on Saturday 8th October.  The theme of conferences is on my brain for all my posts tonight but the FWB one is a fun look at what would be available if fairies had their own conferences. See what you think!  Do you agree with me?  What workshops would the magical beings in your fictional world have?

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Here I talk about what I like about writing days/conferences.  Again do you agree with me? Can you add to my list?

FACEBOOK PAGE

I discuss my hope to do some more print reading this week.  I nearly always read from my Kindle just before settling for the night (and love this) but I like to read traditional print  too and always wish I had more time.  Now granted I could make more time if I didn’t write as much as I do but the problem is I don’t want to give that up either!  Oh well.  I do hope to do better in that regard this week.

And I’m looking forward to carrying out an interview later this week with someone who has done so much to help writers over many years.  This in time is due to appear on Chandler’s Ford Today.  I also discuss the current CFT post I’m working on, which is about a special creative writing project.

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Brainstorming ideas, just one of many good things to come from well run writing conferences and the exercises set there. Image via Pixabay

Brainstorming ideas, just one of many good things to come from well run writing conferences and the exercises set there. Image via Pixabay.

The joy of books. Image via Pixabay.

WHAT NOT TO DO AT A SOCIAL GATHERING IN A MAGICAL WORLD

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FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I look at what not to do at a social gathering in a magical world in tonight’s post.  This kind of advice is always useful I feel!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Having had a family event today where lots of wonderful conversations took place (always a sign of a good event that!), I thought I would write about this topic for tonight’s post.  What kind of events are celebrated in your fictional world, especially if you write fantasy and/or science fiction?  Are there groups in/on/under your world who are forbidden to talk to one another and does anyone break that taboo?  You can see where the Romeo and Juliet plot could come from here but there are other stories to be had from this.  Over to you!

FACEBOOK PAGE

I discuss the joys of being interviewed on my author page tonight!  I am currently working my way through some wonderful questions put to me by fellow scribe, Jacci Gooding, and am really enjoying doing this.  I love reading and indeed conducting writer interviews. (See Chandler’s Ford Today for some posts where I’ve interviewed local writers, writers known to me through local conferences which is where I met Jacci, and other writers who have become small publishers).   Why do I love writer interviews regardless of what side of the fence I am on?  I always learn something that either encourages me with my own writing or I pick up tips to help me improve said writing.  And that can only be a good thing.

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Working out ideas. Image via Pixabay.

Working out ideas. Image via Pixabay.

The scribe's tent at the Medieval Weekend held in Hampshire earlier this summer. Image taken by me.

ON BEING A FAIRYTALE WITCH

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FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Continuing with my Ideal Candidate series, tonight I look at the role of the witch in the fairytales.  Advantages you include never having to moisturise and knowing  you can curse as much as you like because the latter is precisely what is expected of you!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

I share which fictional characters I would interview if it were possible to do so.  Who would you choose and why?

FACEBOOK PAGE

I was delighted to discover on reading the most recent Road to Agincourt Project newsletter that Chandler’s Ford Today and I are in it!  My Facebook author page shares the link on this.  And thanks again to the Road to Agincourt Project for this.

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The scribe's tools of the trade in medieval times. Image taken by me.

The scribe’s tools of the trade in medieval times. Image taken by me.

 

A beaten knight but Richard III's injuries at Bosworth would have been far more horrific. Image via Pixabay.

IMPOSSIBLE INTERVIEWS

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CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

Tonight’s post is the start of a new occasional series, Impossible Interviews, in which I interview historical figures.  My “guest” tonight?  Richard III!  Maligned or monstrous?  What do you think?  For anyone with a love of history I think it is fair to say you can’t be impartial about the king.

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I take the Impossible Interviews theme a bit further with my post here tonight.  Called Impossible Interviews – In the Magical World, I look at who I would interview in such a setting.  I would quiz those who set the magical standards as to why they have set them the way they have and also chat to those who are very low down in the magical pecking order.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

In Doing the Impossible: Listening to Characters, I ask if it were possible for you as the writer to listen to what your characters have to say to you, would you do so?!  Are they happy with the way you’ve portrayed them and if not, why not, and what will you do about it?!

FACEBOOK PAGE

I share the link to my Chandler’s Ford Today post.

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The Bard tells a cracking story but that doesn't mean any of it is true! Image via Pixabay

The Bard tells a cracking story but that doesn’t mean any of it is true! Image via Pixabay