Looking into the past... Image via Pixabay

WHAT FAIRYTALE CHARACTERS MOST CARE ABOUT

October 30, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

What Fairytale Characters most care about is about…. well I do love titles that sum a blog post up. See if you agree with what I’ve come up with here. Can you add to my list?

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

Provoking a Reaction discusses what I think makes a successful story or even blog post. It has to provoke a reaction in the reader. Your characters have got to care about the outcome of the story. Your readers have to care about the outcome for the characters or the overall outcome for a non-fiction piece.

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I went to see Arthur Miller’s All My Sons tonight so briefly discuss that (plan to review at a later date). I also share my dislike of fireworks – I own a dog and see the distress the wretched things cause though a calming diffuser seems to have positive effects. I’m also feeling a little virtuous as I tidied up my writing desk a bit (never a favourite task).

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Fairies are not twee creatures… tonight I ask what do fairytale characters most care about. Image via Pixabay

FICTIONAL TEACHING, ADVICE AND INTERVIEWS

October 29, 2016Leave a comment

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!

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Stories (and indeed most books of any kind) are magical. Image via Pixabay.

GETTING OFF TO A GOOD START

October 19, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

Getting Off to a Good Start discusses my love of Hemingway’s classic 6 word story exercise. I also ask what would be a good start for your characters and how would they achieve that. I know I need a good start for a new blog, article or story and do find Hemingway’s exercise an invaluable way to brainstorm ideas.

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

No prizes for spotting tonight’s theme! Again I discuss Hemingway’s writing exercise but in My Favourite Writing Exercise I give some examples of my efforts here. For some reason I usually end up producing 5 or 7 word stories rather than the classic 6, but the pointers for future story ideas are still useful. I must try this exercise for non-fiction at some stage as the whole idea of the exercise (I think) is to give a starting point. I could see potential for using this to generate article and blog post ideas.

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More Hemingway here! When I manage to get on to a theme, I do see it through!

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Where many a first draft starts life. Old technology still has its uses! Image via Pixabay.

This statue I like... a lot. Image via Pixabay

A GOOD DAY IN THE MAGICAL WORLD

October 17, 2016Leave a comment

FAIRYTALES WITH BITE

A Good Day in the Magical World looks at how this might be viewed through the eyes of someone who is definitely junior in the magical rankings. Do you agree with my list? (I do love a good list!).

THIS WORLD AND OTHERS

What Your Characters Really Want speaks for itself really. I discuss obstacles getting in the way of characters achieving their objectives and also those deep down wishes your character may not reveal openly. (This could be due to knowing their wish is highly unlikely to be granted and they don’t want to seem foolish by being open here – I suspect most of us have known that feeling sometimes. Also sometimes a character could suppress their own wishes if it helped someone they cared about so the question what does a character really want has lots of potential for future stories).

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I discuss film and TV music, having enjoyed a wonderful concert put on by Classic FM this evening (well put on for broadcast anyway). And I share, thanks to Youtube, one of my favourite pieces. Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings is a good test of whether you’re human or not. It is one of those pieces that must make you feel something. And if it doesn’t maybe it’s time the rest of us ran away from you terribly fast.

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Escaping with a good book is a fantastic idea. Image via Pixabay.