Tag: notebooks and pens

Author Interview – Wendy H Jones – A Right Cozy Historical Crime

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Image Credits:-
All images from Pixabay/Pexels unless otherwise stated with many created in Book Brush. Book cover images from Chapeltown Books and Bridge House Publishing. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.  A huge thank you to Wendy H Jones and the contributing authors to A Right Cozy Historical Crime for various pictures, including author head shots, for my Chandler’s Ford Today post this week. Captions are in the article itself. Hope you enjoy it.
Hope you have had a good few days. Wonderful sunshine here – have even got my washing out, whoopee! Lady and I have loved being out in the nicer weather with pals. It does lift the spirits. Writing continues to go well. Am waiting to hear later this month about whether a flash piece of mine has been accepted but I hope to get on with some more competition entries soon.

Facebook – General and Chandler’s Ford Today

I’m delighted to share a fabulous author interview on Chandler’s Ford Today this week. I share Author Interview – Wendy H Jones – A Right Cozy Historical Crime.

This in depth conversation with Wendy focuses on the delights of combining two great story genres – historical fiction and crime. Wendy also shares wonderful tips highlighting things you need to know if you write in this combined form. I must admit I love both genres and to combine them still further in another great love of mine, the short story anthology, is just bliss.

Wendy also shares what fascinates her about historical fiction, why she picked the short story format for combining two genres (short stories have their challenges just sticking to one genre), and getting the use of language right for the time setting of the stories while still being accessible and much more besides.

Plenty to enjoy here and I heartily recommend the anthology too. It is a great read.

Author Interview – Wendy H Jones – A Right Cozy Historical Crime

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Hope the day has gone well. Lady and I enjoyed another lovely sunny day with her Hungarian Vizler and Rhodesian Ridgeback chums.

Writing wise, do look out for a super interview with Wendy H Jones on Chandler’s Ford Today this week. See above. We’ll be discussing the latest anthology to come from her publishing house – A Right Cozy Historical Crime. Plus we’ll be discussing the joys of blending historical and crime fiction, a match made in heaven given both types of story individually try to get at the truth. There will be much more too. Link up tomorrow for what will be a great read.

If you’re looking for story writing tips, especially for this kind of story, do check this out. The interview is part of a blog tour organised by Lynsey Adams of Reading Between the Lines Vlog.

And huge congratulations to all of the authors in this cracking anthology.

Another lovely sunny day Lady and I made the most of by catching up with her Hungarian Vizler friend and equally great owner.

Writing wise, I’m looking forward to an ACW group meeting this evening – these are always great fun.

Reading wise, I’m focusing on light, entertaining reading. It’s my favourite kind of reading anyway but never more so than when the times are grim. If you want somewhere to start, do check out The Great Sermon Handicap by Wodehouse. If you like humour with bite to it, do check out Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. I’d start with the Vimes books.

Writing Tip: Do have a notebook to hand (or an app for your phone handy). Ideas do crop up at odd moments and I know from experience you don’t remember them later. I must admit I don’t have a notebook by my bed for the good reason the moment my head hits the pillow, that’s it, but I do have plenty of note paper and pens elsewhere and I do make good use of these. Also, make a point of reviewing your notebooks from writing events every so often. You will find things you’ve forgotten about but which you could work up into something promising. No prizes for guessing how I know this one!

Facebook – From Light to Dark and Back Again

I like to mix up the mood of my flash pieces and literally go from light to dark and back again here, which gave me a useful title for my debut book!

But in anthologies generally, flash and short story ones, I like to see a mixture of moods. Fiction reflects life even where the setting is out of this world because there will be something about the characters which we understand. So therefore story moods should vary just as ours do.

Mind you, I will always have a soft spot for those tales which make us smile. I think they’re needed more than ever.

There is still time to get a story in to Hannah Kate for her Spring Equinox show on North Manchester FM. This goes out live on Saturday 21st March but the deadline for submissions is 16th March. See the link for more information and good luck if you give this a go. I’ve had a couple of festive flash pieces broadcast here and the show is always good fun to listen to. Why not check it out?

It is also good practice writing to a timed limit. You have three minutes maximum and I’ve always found it useful, once I’ve got my story sorted out, to record myself reading it on Zoom. When you end the meeting with yourself (yes, I know it sounds odd), Zoom will convert the file to an mp3 for you so you can play it back and hear how you sound. Just as importantly, it will give you the timing for your story. You can’t go wrong here and it is so easy to do.

Spring Equinox Stories Wanted for Hannah’s Bookshelf on North Manchester FM


Hope the day has gone well for you. I plan to start work soon on my presentation for the next meeting of the Association of Christian Writers Flash Fiction Group. This time I know the theme – a certain event is coming up this month and various things can come from that, which can be put to good use for storytelling. Looking forward to working on this presentation – they’re always fun to do but I’m itching to go on this one, which is always a good sign.

Hope to start drafting some more flash pieces over the weekend for competitions later this spring which I always have a crack at. Plus I hope later this year to work on getting another collection together. Am looking forward so much to Seeing The Other Side out there in the meantime. Will keep you updated as and when I have further news to share on that.

Fairytales With Bite – Coming to Life

As I write this, there are more signs of spring coming to life around me. I love this. It’s always cheering to see the daffodils, the blossom and so on appearing (and hearing more of the bird song too).

In your magical setting, what would be the equivalent of our seasons? What would your characters consider to be their natural world coming to life again? What would they welcome seeing coming back? What would they dread? For example, if there is a quiet season when the dragons aren’t around, I doubt if your characters, unless they are other dragons, are particularly going to welcome their return!

What would be your magical setting’s equivalent of the beautiful flowers and trees we see? Are any of these magical in their own right and what good or harm could they do? I wouldn’t like, for example, to come across the magical equivalent of a Venus fly trap especially if it was huge and could take larger prey!

Are there some natural things your characters actively encourage to come back to life when the season is right and why would they do this? How can they do it? (I’m thinking along the lines of what gardeners can do to encourage plants to flourish here). Could it backfire?

Story thoughts there.

This World and Others – Career Breaks

Taking time out to have a career break has become more common in recent years. Sometimes that break leads to someone pursuing a different career altogether when they decide to return to the workplace.

What would be the equivalent in your magical world? Can your characters ever step down from magical roles, albeit briefly? If they can, would this be treated as an extended holiday, a kind of sabbatical? What would happen if your characters decided they wanted a different magical role? Is it feasible for them to change? It is possible if what they’re thinking of changing to would be more useful to your powers that be, they’d encourage this.

Are the careers available in your magical setting dependent on what your character’s species and/or status are? Can anyone break the status quo here?

What would happen if those in power decided they wanted a career break? Could a fairy monarch, say, step down briefly, there be a Regency, and then he/she returns to the throne? Also give some thought as to why they would want this. There will be story ideas there.

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Exciting News: Creativity Matters

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Image Credits:-

All images from Pixabay/Pexels unless otherwise stated.

Book cover images from Chapeltown Books and Bridge House Publishing.

Creativity Matters: Find Your Passion for Writing book covers supplied by #WendyHJones.

Some images created in Book Brush by me, Allison Symes, for the Creativity Matters book and with Pixabay images for other posts.

It has been a fabulous start to the week with very exciting publication news. More details below. (Image below, which I LOVE as you can imagine, provided by #WendyHJones, as is the one further down showing all of the authors taking part in the Creativity Matters book).

Allison Symes and Creativity Matters

Facebook – General

Nice to take Lady out on a big walk this afternoon after I resumed swimming again. Nice to get back to that too.

Swanwick feels like an age away now! I’m pleased to say I’ll be taking part in another writing event later in the year. More details nearer the time but am looking forward to it as I will be running a workshop and giving an author talk.

Just a quick reminder I send out my author newsletter on the first of the month. I share writing tips, stories, news etc in this and sometimes share an exclusive YouTube video of a mini flash tale. When I thought about what I should put in a newsletter, I put my reader’s hat on and went for features I knew I would enjoy if I was receiving the newsletter myself. To me, that seemed a sensible starting point.

If you would like to sign up for (and a big hello to those who already have), please head to my landing page at https://allisonsymescollectedworks.com

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Hope you have had a good start to the working week. Delighted to say that, despite only being on pre-order at the moment (until 1st September so not long to wait for actual availability) Creativity Matters: Find Your Passion for Writing is doing extremely well on Amazon. Lovely start to the week for all of us involved with this book and well done to #WendyHJones, the mastermind behind this book.

Am also thrilled to say the book has reached No.1 in the Hot New Releases category (see screenshot) and the paperback is now available on pre-order. So lots going on! It was a joy to write a chapter on Why Write Flash Fiction and Short Stories.

Creativity Matters - Number 1 Hot New Releases


Hope you have had a good Sunday. Many thanks for the wonderful response to the pre-order news about Creativity Matters: Find Your Passion for Writing yesterday. See below. I now have the Amazon link for this – see below for that.

This week on Chandler’s Ford Today, I will be talking about how special the Swanwick Writers’ Summer School is and looking at the benefits of going to it. I can say those of us who went are suffering withdrawal symptoms but it was so good to meet up in person again with friends I’ve not seen for such a long time. I am grateful for Facebook and Zoom keeping communications going in the meantime. Both of these things have been a lifeline for me this last year or so.

Am working on non-fiction in another capacity too at the moment as I am preparing presentations for future use. I used to use PowerPoint years ago but then it fell out of fashion. Zoom has effectively brought it back as it is an excellent tool to use when screen sharing. Again not something I was doing a year ago but prove again, if needed, the writing journey is not static and you do keep learning. That in turn is good for the old brain and your creativity overall I find.

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PUBLICATION NEWS

Am thrilled to announce Creativity Matters: Find Your Passion for Writing is now available for pre-order. It comes out on 1st September. Currently in ebook only but it will be available in paperback as well soon. Will share details on that as and when I can but watch this space as they say.

My chapter in this book is Why Write Flash Fiction and Short Stories and it was a joy to write. This will be my first non-fiction work in print and I hope there will be more to come in this area for me over time.

Later, on 3rd September, I will be posting on Chandler’s Ford Today my interview with #WendyHJones as publishing other authors is a new venture for her. I look forward to sharing a great in depth talk with her about why she went this route on her own writing journey, the new skills she had to learn to do this, and she shares three fabulous tips for writers for getting the best out of working with their editor and publisher. All very useful material and I can’t wait to share that soon.

Creativity Matters-2

 

Facebook – From Light to Dark and Back Again

Despite technology, it still pays to keep a notebook and pen to hand. Why?

If I’m feeling ground down and uninspired (and it happens to us all, usually a case of life getting in the way), I turn to said notebook and flick through it looking for ideas that give me a “spark”. I usually find something and once I’m drafting the story, I feel much happier.

I jot down in said notebook ideas for stories but also things like interesting titles. For those, I work out what I could do (often using a spider diagram to work out different lines of approach). It is also reassuring to have that notebook to hand so I know I’ve got something to refer to – and while I still like pen and paper, I do also use Evernote for this kind of thing. Who ever said you had to only have one notebook?

It is perhaps appropriate for a flash fiction writer to have brief notes for later use. I’m well under the 1000 words limit when I’m jotting ideas down.

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It’s not every day I hit No.1 in the Amazon Hot New Releases category but Creativity Matters: Find Your Passion for Writing has done that today. (23rd August 2021). Well done to all of the other authors involved and to #WendyHJones. (You can now pre-order ebook and paperback – hooray!). So a great start to the week.

In other news, as they say, I am delighted to share my latest YouTube video. Hope you enjoy Decisions.

 

I now have an Amazon link for Creativity Matters: Find Your Passion for Writing. See below for that. It was a great pleasure to write a chapter praising the merits of flash fiction and short story writing.

Talking of flash pieces, may I say a huge thanks to all who have already given feedback on my latest #FridayFlashFiction story, Discretion. The feedback is much appreciated. And congratulations to all of the writers who were listed in their recent competition, which was designed to blend in with the Edinburgh Festival competition.

Am also looking forward to taking part in an online flash group meeting (Association of Christian Writers) next week. Flash fiction is great to share on Zoom as well as in Open Prose Mic Nights.

Screenshot 2021-08-20 at 19-19-31 Discretion by Allison Symes

The big news is the release in ebook of Creativity Matters: Find Your Passion for Writing. I contributed a chapter called Why Write Flash Fiction and Short Stories and it was a delight to answer that question in said chapter! The book is compiled and edited by #WendyHJones and will be out in paperback as well soon. I am delighted to be “between the covers” with excellent writers for company and thrilled this is my first non-fiction work out in print (as opposed to online).

I am always happy to write and talk about flash fiction and short stories!

Always a joy to talk or write about flash fiction

Goodreads Author Blogs – “Real” Books

What do I mean by “real” books? I have no time for the “proper” book -v- ebook debate. Both have their merits and disadvantages. I also hope ebooks have encouraged more reading by bringing books to a screen very near you – that is one in your own pocket! I also want people to discover the joy of paperbacks from reading ebooks if books in general have been a closed chapter to them prior to reading on screen.

For me a “real” book is a novel that has characters who gripped me all the way through and wouldn’t let go until I did find out what had happened to them.

For short story and flash collections, I want to be gripped by the characters, but also by wanting to find out what the next story is about, the one after that and so on.

For non-fiction, I want to be gripped by the way the author is putting the information across so I have to find out what the conclusions were or, in the case of say a Ben Macintyre book, what happened to the real life character he is writing about.

The ultimate test for a “real” book is whether you can bear to put it down to do other things such as go to sleep. If you do so reluctantly, it is a great and “real” book all right!

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Writing Tips

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Facebook – and Chandler’s Ford Today

One of the problems I had in writing this week’s CFT post about Writing Tips was picking the those tips that have not only BEEN useful but mostly still ARE and then whittling those down to what I think are the most useful.

One of the great things about going to conferences etc is picking up all sorts of useful advice on the way. Some tips you’ll use immediately, others you will come back to later and I’ll often find, even in advice for say scriptwriting, there are often general pointers useful in other forms of writing. So I’ve learned then it pays to pay attention!

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Other than your PC or laptop, what is the most useful thing on your desk?

For me it is the humble notebook and pen (I count these as one item given they’re not that great without each other!).

I don’t always want to stop what I’m working on in Scrivener to open up a new folder to jot down the latest good idea I’ve had (well I hope it will be a good one!).

But a quick note with paper and pen and I can open up a new file and start researching when I’m ready to do so. I’ve long thought pen and paper really should come into the writing process somewhere, it seems right somehow, and that is despite my writing to screen most of the time.

These days odd notes here and there are generally what I use “old technology” for. And neither the notebook or pen need batteries, charging, discharging, or are at the mercies of power cuts etc etc…. Still I’m not sorry I no longer have to literally cut and paste or have to change typewriter ribbons or faff about with carbon paper…

As I write now. Pixabay image.
For jotting down those initial ideas. Image via Pixabay.
Or not as the case may be! My fiction is quirky!Image via Pixabay.
Thoughts are free but check images used are either free to use or your own! Image via Pixabay.
Always good advice! Pixabay image.
A blank page can take you anywhere in writing. Image via Pixabay.
It has been a while since I last saw one of these! Image via Pixabay
Your blog, your topic, your theme – just be sensible on copyright and libel issues. Image via Pixabay.
I remember using a manual typewriter. Pixabay image.
Escape with a good book. Image via Pixabay.
Love this image! Image via Pixabay
Always edit on paper and not on screen. Pexels image.

My CFT post this week will be a a round up of writing tips I have found useful over the years (and still do). Hope it will prove useful. Link to go up on Friday.

One great thing about going to conferences like Swanwick Writers’ Summer School and the Winchester Writers’ Festival is you do get to pick up so many useful hints and tips, some of which are not always useful immediately, but you will come back to them later. And they come not just from the courses but when you get together with fellow writers over tea, coffee, dinner etc. So added reason to (a) go to good conferences and (b) get chatting with your fellow writers.

Like we needed an excuse or something…

Books invite you into their world. Go! Image via Pixabay.
Fiction can take you anywhere. Image via Pixabay.
The dark can seem to overcome the light but light will prevail. Image via Pixabay
Stories can take you to fantastic places. Pixabay image.
Great characters = great books. Image via Pixabay.
Something I’ve yet to see happen! Pixabay image.
What worlds could there be out here? Image via Pixabay
Reaching out for writing ideas. Image via Pixabay.
Pressing on towards the light. Image via Pixabay
Where will your characters take you? Image via Pixabay
What lies beyond the shore…. ideas for stories? Image via Pixabay
Love the sunshine through the trees. Pixabay image.
I’ve never read a book in these conditions, have you? Pixabay image.
The ever useful post-it note. Image via Pixabay.
The road should not be an easy one for your hero/heroine. Image via Pixabay

Facebook – From Light to Dark and Back Again

More six-word stories for you. They should conjure up images and you can see a definite start, middle, and end.

1. The lion ran straight at you.
2. The dentist will see you now.

(Own up, which one scares you the most out of those two? The one that is just about possible or the one where you know you WILLhear those words at some point?!).

3. The fairy godmother trashed her wand.
4. Prince Charming wed an ugly sister.

(Probably as a direct result of story line 3 here!).

5. What was this world, she mused.
6. It really is hell in here.

Hope you enjoy!

Assemble your characters, assemble your world. Image via Pixabay
The perfect way to relax. All writers love to read. Image via Pixabay.
The art of the flash (fiction). Image via Pixabay
Books have their own sense of time and space. Image via Pixabay.
It always is! Reflecting first helps a lot! Pixabay image
Notebook to hand ready for those story ideas. Image via Pexels.
So true. Pixabay image.
Whenever and whatever you read, enjoy. Image via Pixabay.
What every writer needs. Image via Pexels.
Characters no matter what their world should resonate with readers. Image via Pixabay
Let the ideas flow and let journeys encourage that! Image via Pixabay
Even in the heart of a city, books can provide escapism. Image via Pixabay.

Not a new topic I know, but one that is always pertinent: can I put the word out about reviews being really appreciated by authors? The obvious places are Amazon and Goodreads but links to other places so authors can share good reviews on their websites etc are also welcome.

Doesn’t have to be a long review either. I liked or loathed Book X because….. is fine. The crucial point is the review has to be an honest one so if you dislike a book, say why. With my consumer hat on, I do read reviews when I do my online food shop or am buying books myself and I like to see a variety of reviews. I am always suspicious of anything getting ALL 5 or 1 star reviews. I do read the positive and negative reviews and then make my own mind up! But the author is still helped as review numbers make a big difference, especially with Amazon.

Oh and don’t forget reviews are just as welcome for ebooks as they are for paperbacks.

Good advice – and it applies to our characters too. Image via Pixabay
The precursor to blogging – journal keeping, Image via Pixabay.
Never wasted words! Image via Pixabay.
Books are the keys to knowledge. Image via Pixabay
Always a good idea! Pixabay image.
Always good advice this. Image via Pexels
And prepare well!
FLTDBA for sale in the Swanwick Book Room. Image by Allison Symes
Books are fabulous, whatever the format. Image via Pixabay.
Online writing -v- on a line writing! Image via Pixabay
Grow as a writer? Grow your reading! Image via Pixabay
Says it all really and applies to non-fiction equally as fiction. Image via Pixabay.

Where do you find your inspiration? I find mine from films, odd sayings I’ve overheard or had said directly to me (so do watch what you tell me incidentally!), proverbs, advertising slogans, the classic fairytales, timeless themes such as love and revenge (and sometimes love and revenge together!), etc etc. The key to being inspired is keeping your mind open to the fact that ideas can be found all around you. It is then up to you to develop that initial spark further.

My Learning the Trade is inspired by the Sorcerer’s Apprentice and naturally my character blames the boss for basically not having an “undo” spell to hand! The Haunting is inspired by the Ladykillers (and if you ever get the chance to see the stage show of this, do. It’s fab in its own right though nothing will top the Ealing comedy with Alec Guinness).

Getting that initial idea is fabulous but what I really love is taking that and seeing what I can do with it. I like to have fun with my words and writing should be fun, most of the time anyway.

Love books! Pexels image.
The delights of the open page. Pexels image.
Use personal reviews to help you generate character and story outlines. Image via Pixabay.
Stories are magical and inspire other stories. Image via Pixabay.
A great new idea makes me smile, as does this image. Pixabay image.
Well, what is it then? Image via Pixabay.
Plugging in for new ideas? Pixabay image
Nobody gets their ideas right first go. Image via Pixabay.
Fiction can take you anywhere. Image via Pixabay.
Beautiful books. Pexels image.
I try NOT to chain down my creativity! Pexels image.
Some of the strongest ideas have a simple theme. See A Christmas Carol as a classic example. Image via Pixabay.
A rose by any other name? Tribute to Shakespeare maybe? Pexels image.
Great place to read. Pexels image.
Says it all really and applies to non-fiction equally as fiction. Image via Pixabay.

Fairytales with Bite – Fairytale A to Z Part 6

On to the next section tonight then and I get to do one of the difficult letters – Q!

P = Princes/Princesses are often the heroes/heroines in fairytales of course but I love the heroines that prove themselves every bit as capable and intelligent as any hero (and are often better!  Think Fiona in the Shrek series basically!). I also like those stories where the characters here have to prove themselves worthy of their calling – i.e.  it doesn’t just all fall into their laps because they are royal.  A character who has to work for something, regardless of their background, is a character that will face conflict, dilemmas, enemies, and will make mistakes and basically give the reader lots of lovely action and drama to follow – and they will.

Q = Questions.  Not such a tricky letter to find an answer for here though as I write this I don’t know yet what I will be coming up with for X!  All characters should ask questions and make your readers question them.  The situations you put your characters in should test them (and make them query whether they are doing the right thing or not – internal conflicts like this add depth to your stories and make your characters seem more real.  We all have internal conflicts to deal with so why shouldn’t fictional characters do too?).  Your readers should be engrossed with what your characters do and their attitudes and perhaps question themselves as to whether they’d act that way or not.  A reader that is asking questions like that is one who is engaged with your characters and stories.  You want lots of those!

R = Reading.  It goes without saying we need to read widely to know what it is we like and what we would like to write as a result.  But what would your characters read and how can you use that to show something of their personality?  What are their world’s myths and legends?

Aiming for more “magic” from my stories this year! Image via Pixabay.
Love the bike. Pexels image.
Good reading – and writing to be done – here. Pixabay image.
Let your writing sparkle. Image via Pexels.
Is it Time for a Change for the dragon in my story on Cafelit? Image via Pixabay
Fiction is strengthened when backed by fact. Image via Pixabay
Glorious autumn. Time to take stock briefly and then move on. Pixabay image.
Use what you know of our world and your imagination to create something really special. Image via Pixabay
Let the creative process flow! Image via Pixabay
What writing triggers will help you create your new worlds? Image via Pixabay

This World and Others – World Building Tips

Whether you write flash fiction or novels (or both!), world building tips should prove useful.  With my flash fiction, when I write in the fantasy genre, I just give enough details to confirm it is a magical setting for my story.  With my novel, I’ve got room to share more but things to consider when creating your world for your characters should include:-

  1. How your characters eat and drink (and what!).  Is the society a hunter-gatherer one? Meat eaters or vegetarians?
  2. How sanitation is dealt with.  If your characters are eating and drinking, they will need to excrete!  Okay this may not be a crucial part of your story, but there should be a general sense of how characters keep clean, and how disease is avoided (or not) due to good sanitation measures (or in the case of not due to the lack of them!).
  3. How their society is organised.  Is it class based?
  4. What their society expects of them especially if it is class based.  What happens to anyone defying expectations?
  5. Is their world a developed or developing one?
  6. If magical, are there limits to what people can do with their powers?  How is anarchy or dictatorship prevented (assuming it is!)?

Food for thought there I hope.

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