Blogging - a hugely enjoyable part of what I write. Image vix Pixabay.

QUESTIONS NOT TO ASK – OF A WRITER

November 8, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Questions Not to Ask – of a Writer lives up to its title and lists five bugbear questions any writer will hate being asked. Okay, scrub that, make it four questions and one statement. The latter is for my poet friends and I’d be very surprised if they’d not heard this particular comment in their time. My pet hate is point 3! See what you think…

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

You Know You’re a Writer When…. again lives up to its theme. I list 1o points of interest but amongst these are three different opportunities for writers to become insufferably smug if they so wish! I put my hand up and plead guilty to points 3, 4 and 7 especially. Which would you plead guilty to – there will be at least one?!

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I talk about border collies (mine!), fireworks, and my border collie deliberately going out into the garden tonight to look for said fireworks even though she hates them. Have no idea why! Am glad the diffuser we got this year seems to be helping her. I also discuss what’s coming up in my next Chandler’s Ford Today post (a review of a play I’ve recently seen) and plug a CFT writers’ get together this coming Saturday.

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The lovely Mabel. Image taken by me! So much happier when there are no fireworks about – and that goes for Mabel too.

Where almost all stories spring from these days. Image via Pixabay.

MAGICAL COMPETENCE AND GOOD STORY CRITERIA

November 3, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

I discuss what any magical being needs to be able to do in Tests for Magical Competence. Even the lowliest sprite can achieve the items in my list. Of course the ones you’ve really got to worry about are those who are not only magically efficient, they are magically formidable!

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

I discuss the criteria for what I think makes for a good story in Criteria for A Good Story. Some of my items are interesting characters, a story that I remember (for good reasons!) long after I’ve read it and where the outcome really matters. Do you agree with my list? What could you add to it?

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I discuss what’s coming up in my Chandler’s Ford Today post for this week and why I think autumn is not my border collie’s favourite season.

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CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

Due up on site tomorrow will be my Top 10 Classical Greats. More details tomorrow.

A truly beautiful library but do the books in it meet my criteria for what makes a good story. I would hope so! 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.

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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.

One of the best ways to escape is with a good book. Image via Pixabay.

HAPPY EVER AFTER AND THE REAL YOU

October 27, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Happy Ever After? discusses the classic fairytale ending (in most cases) versus the modern tendency to have a “happy for now” scenario. I’m not that keen on the latter, though I can understand it and I share my thoughts as to why here. What do you think?

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

The Real “You” looks at our tendency to cover up those less impressive aspects of ourselves, especially when we are trying to impress someone. Our characters should be doing this too and in this post I ask who are they trying to impress, what are they covering up and do other characters see through it all?

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I look at a writing exercise I tried at Swanwick where I had to give advice to my 20 year old self. Tonight’s FB page discusses that. And yes I did tell myself to lighten up! I remember being very intense at that age. I also tell myself to start writing sooner… oh I wish I had!

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CHANDLER’S FORD TODAY

Just a quick reminder that part 2 of my interview with the wonderful Barbara Large, MBE, founder of what is now known as the Winchester Writers’ Festival, will be appearing this coming Friday.

What world will you enter when you next read a good story? 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.

The perfect way to unwind. Image via Pixabay.

Career Prospects for a Fairytale Witch

October 24, 2016October 24, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Career Prospects for a Fairytale Witch is full of advice for those interested in pursuing this path. Of course a lot depends on whether you are happy to accept always being the bad guy, knowing you are likely to die before your time and often horribly, and that you’ll never be able to trust any dwarf ever again (especially if there are seven of them confronting you). However if this is not a problem, this post shares what you could do (and even shares some hints as to what you could do to increase your chances of living longer too).

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Firstly may I apologise on this one. I’ve actually named the piece Writing Tips I Continue to Find Helpful but you will see the link says What Writers would do well to Remember. The latter was the original title I’d chosen but I wasn’t happy with it so changed it. I don’t know why but the change of title has not been picked by the website so is still showing the old one. I’ve not had this as an issue before and if it happens again (hopefully not), I’ll query Weebly over it. Having said that, the post does contain writing tips I continue to find helpful and hope you find them helpful too.

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Tonight I share last night’s This World and Others post about Why It Is Not a Good Idea to Annoy a Writer. I love writing (and reading) humorous lists and hope this one amuses you!

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Magical lands. 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).

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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.

I could spend many a happy hour here - the library at Prague. Image via Pixabay.

LIVING UP TO EXPECTATIONS

October 22, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

In Living Up to Expectations, I look at expectations from a character’s viewpoint. What expectations do they have? What expectations do others have of them? How does their culture shape those expectations? Does anyone challenge them and what are the results?

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

When Things go Horribly Wrong is something that, in a way, has to happen in every story, regardless of format. After all where is the story? It is in how the characters deal with the crises that have arisen for them. What for them is drama, tragedy even is from the reader’s viewpoint pure entertainment! Heartless lot aren’t we?! So how does your character handle matters when everything appears to have gone down the proverbial spout? How do they pick themselves up again (assuming they do – if they don’t, well that’s a story in itself).

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I take a lighthearted view at alternative titles for children’s classic fiction, list six and challenge you to come up with some in tonight’s post! This came about from a photo from Quercus Books that I shared on Facebook earlier this week. It showed new versions of Famous Five stories – Five Go to Brexit Island, Five Go Gluten Free and so on. This photo has been one of the most popular things I’ve shared so I thought I would extend the idea a little. See what I’ve come up with for my list and then see what you can come up with!

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The magical world of the imagination. Image via Pixabay

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

DEDICATION IS WHAT YOU NEED

October 21, 2016October 21, 2016Leave a comment

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.

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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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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!

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

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What a library! Image via Pixabay.