The Kindle. Has expanded my reading (no more worrying about how many books I can take on holiday either!). Image via Pixabay.

THINGS NO CHARACTER EVER WANTS TO HEAR…

November 7, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Things No Character Ever Wants to Hear gives a short list of statements guaranteed to chill the blood and sink the confidence of any character. This is particularly useful information for any character about to be sent off on a quest (and who have no idea why they were chosen. This list gives reasons!).

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Appreciating the Arts was a post inspired by some wonderful comments which came in as a result of my recent Chandler’s Ford Today post on My Top 10 Classical Music Greats. Some fantastic pieces of music have been added to that list – and there is always room for more, hint, hint! In this post though, I discuss what role the arts has in your fictional setting and ask how accessible the arts are to your characters? This could be useful in helping you flesh our your world and could give useful pointers as to how your society works. Is there an elite that keeps the arts for themselves? Are there some arts only the “commoners” enjoy and so on?

FACEBOOK PAGE

I discuss response to my CFT post, fireworks (loathe them – because my border collie does, which is reason enough!) and share my thoughts on Ben Macintyre’s The Last Word. I’m currently reading this on Kindle and it shares some wonderful insights as to the development of the English language. There are some fantastically funny examples of pidgin English too.

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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.

Says it all really and ties in with my post tonight for This World and Others. Image via Pixabay.

FAIRYTALE NEWS HEADLINES

October 27, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALE NEWS HEADLINES

Fairytale News Headlines takes a whimsical, humorous look at what stories would grab the magical media’s attention. There is also suggestions as to what periodicals might take which item. It’s not good news for the big, bad wolf here though.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

The Other Side of Writing explores why all writers who want to develop well must read well, in and out of their genre and ideally including non-fiction too. Why? Because ideas spark all over the place, so the wider you read, the wider you are casting your metaphorical net. That can only be a good thing for your writing.

FACEBOOK PAGE.

I discuss the importance of “taking in” stories in different formats for my post here today. The great thing about writing is, because most accept to write well you need to read well, you get two hobbies for the price of one here!

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CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

Part 2 of my interview with Barbara Large will be up on site tomorrow. Barbara shares her thoughts on what she’d like her creative writing classes to achieve and shares numerous hints and tips for all writers. Links up tomorrow.

The ultimate book circle perhaps? 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!

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

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).

FACEBOOK PAGE

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.

The joy of writing does not need technology (at least not to start with!). Image via Pixabay.

YOU KNOW IT’S A BAD WEEK WHEN…

October 21, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

You Know It’s a Bad Week When takes a humorous look at what could make up a bad week if you lived in a fairytale world. And if you’ve got the three little pigs thinking you know nothing about building materials, then you really are in trouble!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Reading Matters looks at whether, in your fictional setting, characters are free to read as they choose. It also asks what does your character read for pleasure.

CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

Just a brief note to say tomorrow’s post is part 1 of an interview with someone very special who has done so much to help writers over the years. More tomorrow!

FACEBOOK PAGE

I round up what I have been up to writing wise.

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What a library! Image via Pixabay.

Enough books to be going on with for now anyway.... Image via Pixabay

WORDS TO THE WISE

October 16, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

There are a lot of highly gullible characters in fairytales. Snow White is one of the worst. Words to the Wise shares why I think that and also gives some handy tips, especially about food and drink related matters, which Snow White and Alice in Wonderland should have followed. I also give advice on never putting yourself in a debt to a powerful magical being and what to do if you come across a dog that laughs and a cow that jumps over the moon (as there are certain things you should check out if you find yourself in this (admittedly unlikely) situation! Always best to be prepared though!).

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Character Reactions is a follow on to yesterday’s post when I looked at how characters treat each other. The flip side to this, of course, is how characters react to the treatment they receive, especially if it is unjust. Why do your characters react the way they do? Previous experience? Are they reacting in a way their society expects them to or do they fall apart? If the latter, do they “get put back together again” (the way Humpty Dumpty would have wished he could have been!) and how does this happen? How do your characters learn from their experiences?

FACEBOOK PAGE

I discuss the variety of stories and books I’m reading on Kindle and in print and how reading widely across genres sparks ideas for writers. The more you read (in and out of your chosen genre), the more you give your mind to feed upon and it is in that process ideas spark. So if you want lots of story ideas, read widely! (And it is huge fun and a great way of supporting other authors. How can you know what you want to write without knowing what is already out there? Inspiration also sparks from what is out there already. It is your take on characters that makes your plots and stories original after all. Christopher Booker’s The Seven Basic Plots is a fascinating read incidentally.).

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The world’s most beautiful library perhaps? Image via Pixabay. But lots of lovely stories to read which may well spark off ideas for other stories. Only problem? Where to start!

Medieval manuscripts were not always the easiest to read! Image via Pixabay.

FAIRYTALE AND OTHER FICTIONAL LIBRARIES

October 14, 2016October 15, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I look at Fairytale and other Fictional Libraries in tonight’s post. This partly ties in with my Chandler’s Ford Today post which went live earlier this evening. More details on that below. But in FWB I wonder about what your characters would read (sharing your character tastes and traits helps in building up well rounded characters after all). I also wonder about what stories and myths your characters would grow up knowing and how these affect them and the world they live in.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Learning from the Past continues the historical theme and looks at what is vital for coming up with a real story. Answer: a real story is in how a character responds to an event thrown at them. The event doesn’t need to be particularly dramatic either. How does a character respond to, say, a row with their partner/spouse? Do they learn from it and rebuild the relationship or does a refusal to learn signal the end of that relationship? Characters can learn from their own past, their family background or the past of the world in which they live but it is how they react, whether they learn or not, that is crucial to your story. Personally I would get fed up pretty quickly with a character that doesn’t learn. It is what they learn (and whether it is enough to deal with their current crisis) that is the interesting bit of the story for me.

CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

I love posting articles about creative writing, history, and ideas that encourage the use of the library service. Tonight’s post, The Story Shuffle Project, combines all three!

The project encourages local school children to write their own versions of the Sir Bevis of Hampton legend. Sir Bevis is Southampton’s legendary hero – think James Bond on tapestries! The stories are then put into a digital app, which can be accessed at the local library (that closest to the schools taking part in this project) using a special code the children are given. I would have loved this at that age (7 to 11). I loved codes and historical stories so what is there not to like about this?!

I hope all taking part in this project have a great deal of fun with it.

FACEBOOK PAGE

I share the link with the above project.

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Tapestries told stories – the Sir Bevis of Hampton legends just being part of this. Image via Pixabay.

The modern way to read - the Kindle. Image via Pixabay.

IF THERE WERE A FAIRYTALE WITCH’S CONFERENCE…

October 10, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I continue with the theme of conferences and look at what might be on offer for an event held for fairytale witches. This, of course, assumes you could get enough fairytale witches together who would not squabble or curse each other for long enough to get through the day itself in one piece. Frankly this is assuming a lot…

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

I discuss classical music in tonight’s post and how I now love listening to it as I write. There was a time when I couldn’t write with music in the background at all. I found it was affecting my mood and therefore how/what I wrote! But classical does not seem to have that affect. It’s either that or I’ve matured a bit as a writer to block out distractions! From a writing viewpoint, I ask how music comes into play (some pun intended!) in your fictional creations.

FACEBOOK PAGE

I’m feeling chuffed I’ve managed to catch up with some reading today. I discuss that and advances in technology when it comes to books (whether reading or writing them) in tonight’s post.

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My own library is not on this scale but isn’t this a fabulous place? Image via Pixabay (of Leeds Castle).

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

October 9, 2016October 9, 2016Leave a comment

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.

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!

FACEBOOK PAGE

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.

Where stories emerge. Image via Pixabay.

TASKS AND CHORES

October 4, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Tonight’s post takes a fun look at what daily magical tasks an apprentice in a fairytale world is likely to have to carry out.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Tasks and Chores looks at those day to day things we all have to do and asks what do our characters have as their favourites/absolutely loathe and why. Are our characters planners or do they everything “on the fly”? What happens on those occasions when they must act contrary to the way they usually would?

FACEBOOK PAGE

I discuss what I am up to writing wise at the moment and moan about the fact I’m not having much time for reading right now (though I hope to rectify that later this week, God willing. Things have not entirely gone to plan so far this week so I’m not taking anything for granted. I usually make time for a good read of writing related things as part of my writing session. I read fiction at bedtime. These things I see as crucial to helping me improve my own writing so it has been a bit frustrating not being able to read as much this week).

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The Kindle. I read from it at bedtime and have a wide variety of non-fiction and fiction books on it. Image via Pixabay.