Facebook – General – and Chandler’s Ford Today
On my CFT post this week, I discuss online writing and ask whether it will finish print publication (eventually).
I also summarise what I think are the major changes in writing over the centuries (e.g. the methods used to write. The biro IS one of the world’s greatest inventions in terms of usefulness and the creativity it is used for!).
So is there a place for online writing and on A line writing (i.e. using the biro!)? See what you think and comments, as ever, are welcome in the CFT comments box.
Facebook – General
Glad to report the banners are now out at Hursley advertising the Hursley Park Book Fair taking place on 23rd and 24th June. They look great. I’m giving a talk on flash fiction on the 23rd. Parking is free, there are at least 40 authors taking part, and a wide range of genres are represented, so there is bound to be something to suit you! So do come if you can.
I’m talking about online writing and whether it will spell the end of traditional print publishing in my CFT post this week. Link to go up tomorrow.
Loved shopping for books in Winchester today. I really must do that kind of shopping much more often!
Facebook – From Light to Dark and Back Again
I use titles in my flash fiction to indicate the mood of the story (They Don’t Understand is a poignant piece and the title I think reflects that). Sometimes I use titles as a play on words (Collector’s Piece tells you the story is going to be about an object. However, it is an odd one and only reading the story is going to tell you what it is, no spoilers here!).
I must admit I particularly enjoy those competitions or websites where the title is NOT included as part of the word count. It gives you a few more words to “play with” and the title can act literally as the opening scene. So it does pay to put a lot of thought into the title. It can do a lot of work for you – from setting the mood to setting an opening scene.
Facebook – From Light to Dark and Back Again
I am delighted to say that my flash fiction story, Progressing, is one of those that will be in the Waterloo Arts Festival Anthology, along with the work of 15 other writers, including some good friends from Bridge House Publishing and Cafelit. Well done to all!
Am only sorry I can’t be at the event but I hope a great time is had by all. Incidentally while the Arts Festival has been ongoing for some time, it is the first year there has been a writing competition with it. I very much hope that proves to be ongoing too!
Fairytales With Bite – What Is So Special about your Favourite Characters?
This is a useful question to ask from a reader’s and writer’s viewpoint, as it will help you work out which books you want to read, and inspire you, I hope, in the stories you want to write!
So what makes you decide a character is your favourite? What are the special qualities that attract you? Can your own characters share at least some of these traits and what is it about your people that makes them unique as your creation?
I suppose some of the qualities I love to see in a character can be summarised as follows:-
1. Stickability. They don’t quit when the going gets tough. They may struggle, they may want to give up, it would be understandable if they did give up, but they don’t!
2. Loyalty. This can be to a cause or another quality but great characters are usually driven by something. This can apply to villains too. They may be loyal to a cause (so often it is their own!) but they will have really good reasons for this that you could identify with, maybe even sympathise with a little.
3. Dependability. They don’t betray. They will do what they set out to do. They are reliable. I can see the point of an unreliable narrator but have never been that fond of them. I prefer characters who are what they appear to be, even if that isn’t nice! (Be fair, you knew where you stood with Hannibal Lecter or Dracula or any of the “great” villains). I suppose it’s because there is honesty about the portrayal. Also I worry a little in that as writers we are meant to come up with stories where readers willingly suspend disbelief and could an unreliable narrator break the trust we build up with those who read our work? Hmm…
This World and Others – Technology in Created Worlds
In my Chandler’s Ford Today post this week, I talk about online writing and whether it would, eventually, kill of print publishing. It made me wonder what impact technological change would have on the fictional worlds we creat as writers.
The one thing you can guarantee is nothing stands still forever so there would have to be developments of some sort, for good or ill. You can also guarantee changes would bring about different reactions in characters. There are always some who welcome change and others who fear it (and may try to stop it by force).
So who are your inventors? What changes have been welcome (possibly even cried out for!)? What changes have been unwelcome? What has been the impact of this on your characters and their setting?
Allison Symes: Collected Works 