Allison Symes's Blog, page 12
August 19, 2023
Favourite Short Stories
Confession time, I don’t have an overall favourite short story. I love too many of them to pick an outright favourite.
But the classic fairy tales are amongst them. I also love the short stories of Agatha Christie and P.G. Wodehouse, as well as being a fan of their longer works.
Sometimes a story is better told in the short form - I admire those writers who can do both.
I make a point of mixing up what I read in terms of genre but I also do so for word count. I deliberately read short story collections and flash fiction anthologies in amongst my novels and long form non-fiction books. I think a mix is good for you!
I will often use a short story or flash collection to decide what genre of novel I will be reading next. I don’t strictly read to order on my To Be Read pile. Does anyone?
I go with what I fancy reading and work my way through! But the short story and flash collections can help me work out what I do fancy reading next!
But the classic fairy tales are amongst them. I also love the short stories of Agatha Christie and P.G. Wodehouse, as well as being a fan of their longer works.
Sometimes a story is better told in the short form - I admire those writers who can do both.
I make a point of mixing up what I read in terms of genre but I also do so for word count. I deliberately read short story collections and flash fiction anthologies in amongst my novels and long form non-fiction books. I think a mix is good for you!
I will often use a short story or flash collection to decide what genre of novel I will be reading next. I don’t strictly read to order on my To Be Read pile. Does anyone?
I go with what I fancy reading and work my way through! But the short story and flash collections can help me work out what I do fancy reading next!
August 12, 2023
Selling Books, Buying Books
Understandably all writers want to sell their books. But what got us into writing in the first place? Our love of reading books by other authors!
I’ve just come back from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick and had the great joy of selling some of mine. I came back with an interesting selection of titles which have gone on my To Be Read pile.
I have started on a couple of them. Am loving what I have read so far and am looking forward to tackling the rest in due course.
The bonus for writers is we get to do two things we love - write our own stories and read other stories. This probably explains why most authors are not rich! It also helps a lot if you can arrange to have plenty of shelves.
I do know there is nothing else I would rather do - write (and hopefully sell) my own books and buy books from others. The written word (including via audio books and ebooks) is glorious.
It is a great joy to me to have a book shelf dedicated to books written by friends of mine and signed by them. I am adding to my collection here too. Such a pleasure to do that!
Separately I have a section for the two flash fiction collections I’ve written and the anthologies I’ve contributed to over the years as well. It’s always a joy to add to that too.
Conclusion? Can’t have enough book shelves in my life but it is a nice problem to have.
I’ve just come back from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick and had the great joy of selling some of mine. I came back with an interesting selection of titles which have gone on my To Be Read pile.
I have started on a couple of them. Am loving what I have read so far and am looking forward to tackling the rest in due course.
The bonus for writers is we get to do two things we love - write our own stories and read other stories. This probably explains why most authors are not rich! It also helps a lot if you can arrange to have plenty of shelves.
I do know there is nothing else I would rather do - write (and hopefully sell) my own books and buy books from others. The written word (including via audio books and ebooks) is glorious.
It is a great joy to me to have a book shelf dedicated to books written by friends of mine and signed by them. I am adding to my collection here too. Such a pleasure to do that!
Separately I have a section for the two flash fiction collections I’ve written and the anthologies I’ve contributed to over the years as well. It’s always a joy to add to that too.
Conclusion? Can’t have enough book shelves in my life but it is a nice problem to have.
August 5, 2023
Stories In Other Forms
I recently had the great joy of watching Lilies on The Land, which was staged by our local excellent amateur theatre company, The Chameleon Theatre Group. I then reviewed it for online magazine, Chandler's Ford Today.
Lilies was an interesting play because it is a story made up of stories, all based on the real life experiences of the Women's Land Army (aka the land girls). The stories were collected via letters, interviews etc and The Lions wrote Lilies based on this information.
It is a great case of non-fiction inspiring fictional work. The Lilies characters were invented but based on solid fact. Some fictional liberty was taken in enabling the characters to communicate with each other. But it all worked so well. It was believable. All stories must have that believability even if set in the most fantastical settings.
Let's hear it for stories in all formats inspired by non-fiction!
Lilies was an interesting play because it is a story made up of stories, all based on the real life experiences of the Women's Land Army (aka the land girls). The stories were collected via letters, interviews etc and The Lions wrote Lilies based on this information.
It is a great case of non-fiction inspiring fictional work. The Lilies characters were invented but based on solid fact. Some fictional liberty was taken in enabling the characters to communicate with each other. But it all worked so well. It was believable. All stories must have that believability even if set in the most fantastical settings.
Let's hear it for stories in all formats inspired by non-fiction!
July 29, 2023
Biographies
I’m currently reading London by Peter Ackroyd, a biography of the city which is an interesting way to approach writing history. Enjoying it immensely so far.
But it led me to wonder about biographies, I have read some (mainly autobiographies) of figures I’m interested in. Agatha Christie’s autobiography is a fascinating read but unless the subject interests me, I don’t read much in this genre. No celebrity biographies for me!
Are there biographies you would recommend and what appeals about them? I do think the subject has to have led some kind of interesting life.
With Agatha Christie, I am a huge fan of her books so am naturally interested in what she had to say about herself. I love history so the idea of London appealed to me too. (It helps I’m a Londoner by birth I suspect - another reason to be interested in the subject).
I suppose one reason I do like some of these is I am at that stage of life myself where I am interested in what others at this stage of life or beyond it have got to with theirs!
This is another reason why I’m not interested in the younger celebrity books here. I do wonder well what experience of life have you got other than that which made you famous?
For me that isn’t enough, I like to read of how people struggled, made the breakthrough, made mistakes, picked themselves up again etc. Those are stories worth telling.
But it led me to wonder about biographies, I have read some (mainly autobiographies) of figures I’m interested in. Agatha Christie’s autobiography is a fascinating read but unless the subject interests me, I don’t read much in this genre. No celebrity biographies for me!
Are there biographies you would recommend and what appeals about them? I do think the subject has to have led some kind of interesting life.
With Agatha Christie, I am a huge fan of her books so am naturally interested in what she had to say about herself. I love history so the idea of London appealed to me too. (It helps I’m a Londoner by birth I suspect - another reason to be interested in the subject).
I suppose one reason I do like some of these is I am at that stage of life myself where I am interested in what others at this stage of life or beyond it have got to with theirs!
This is another reason why I’m not interested in the younger celebrity books here. I do wonder well what experience of life have you got other than that which made you famous?
For me that isn’t enough, I like to read of how people struggled, made the breakthrough, made mistakes, picked themselves up again etc. Those are stories worth telling.
July 22, 2023
Publication News and Being Read
Am thrilled to have another story out, Jubilee, in the recently released The Best of CafeLit 12. The buzz of being published never dies! It’s a continuing joy to know your work is being read.
I regularly mix up what I read. I will read novels, non-fiction, fiction across most genres, but I also make sure I include the short form (short stories and flash fiction).
Okay, I’m biased because I write short stories and flash fiction, but they are just as every bit a valid an art form as the novel. You cherish all of these things, I think.
The advantage of the short forms of fiction is they are perfect for those without much time to read or who do not have the confidence to read bigger works.
The shorter forms are ways of showing there is something out there for all reading needs. Not everyone wants to read a huge novel, at least to begin with,
Maybe they’ll get to that later once they‘ve had confidence in reading built up (and the short forms can help a lot there).
Sometimes a story is best told in fewer words and it genuinely works better at 10,000 words, say, rather than standard novel length of about 100,000.
What I love is there is plenty of choice out there and I will always wave the flag for the shorter forms of reading. They can be a great way into reading altogether.
I regularly mix up what I read. I will read novels, non-fiction, fiction across most genres, but I also make sure I include the short form (short stories and flash fiction).
Okay, I’m biased because I write short stories and flash fiction, but they are just as every bit a valid an art form as the novel. You cherish all of these things, I think.
The advantage of the short forms of fiction is they are perfect for those without much time to read or who do not have the confidence to read bigger works.
The shorter forms are ways of showing there is something out there for all reading needs. Not everyone wants to read a huge novel, at least to begin with,
Maybe they’ll get to that later once they‘ve had confidence in reading built up (and the short forms can help a lot there).
Sometimes a story is best told in fewer words and it genuinely works better at 10,000 words, say, rather than standard novel length of about 100,000.
What I love is there is plenty of choice out there and I will always wave the flag for the shorter forms of reading. They can be a great way into reading altogether.
July 15, 2023
All The Fun of the Book Fair
I was thrilled to take part in a Book Fair local to me last weekend. It was the first one in the venue chosen (and the venue was excellent).
It was fantastic to see a wide range of authors covering so many different tastes in books and age ranges too.
Non-fiction (travel journeys) was well represented too.
The organisers counted well over 100 people in attendance and there was a constant footfall flow all afternoon. This is highly encouraging. There is hope this event will become an annual one. For obvious reasons, I hope it does too.
But I also saw it as encouraging that people still love books. They want to see what their local authors are coming out with.
If you have an event like this coming up near you, do go if you can. You may well be pleasantly surprised at the wealth of reading material on offer. I was - and I was taking part!
Also great to see these events back again. The last one I took part in was before the pandemic - that seems like a world away now - though I have run workshops, gone to conferences etc since. Good to see the book fairs back too now!
This was something I was especially pleased about as our bookshops are now several miles away so having the books come to the locality will always be a fantastic idea.
It was fantastic to see a wide range of authors covering so many different tastes in books and age ranges too.
Non-fiction (travel journeys) was well represented too.
The organisers counted well over 100 people in attendance and there was a constant footfall flow all afternoon. This is highly encouraging. There is hope this event will become an annual one. For obvious reasons, I hope it does too.
But I also saw it as encouraging that people still love books. They want to see what their local authors are coming out with.
If you have an event like this coming up near you, do go if you can. You may well be pleasantly surprised at the wealth of reading material on offer. I was - and I was taking part!
Also great to see these events back again. The last one I took part in was before the pandemic - that seems like a world away now - though I have run workshops, gone to conferences etc since. Good to see the book fairs back too now!
This was something I was especially pleased about as our bookshops are now several miles away so having the books come to the locality will always be a fantastic idea.
July 8, 2023
Book Fairs and Events
I was at a Book Fair local to me recently and it was great fun. As well as celebrating books, it was fantastic to meet other authors and readers.
There was a good range of books on offer too covering a wide range of tastes which is exactly what you want from an event like this. (The organisers also kept the writers well supplied with tea and coffee, which was also appreciated!).
Going to events like this is a fabulous way of supporting authors you know, as well as discovering writers new to you.
It’s a way of bringing books to you, especially if your nearest bookshop is some distance away. I hope the organisers of this event do it again. It would be lovely if it became a regular event.
If you get the chance to go to such things near you, do go. You may well be surprised at the range of books on offer.
Every book event I’ve been to has been seriously impressive here.
There was a good range of books on offer too covering a wide range of tastes which is exactly what you want from an event like this. (The organisers also kept the writers well supplied with tea and coffee, which was also appreciated!).
Going to events like this is a fabulous way of supporting authors you know, as well as discovering writers new to you.
It’s a way of bringing books to you, especially if your nearest bookshop is some distance away. I hope the organisers of this event do it again. It would be lovely if it became a regular event.
If you get the chance to go to such things near you, do go. You may well be surprised at the range of books on offer.
Every book event I’ve been to has been seriously impressive here.
July 1, 2023
Light Reading
I have a soft spot for what could be considered “light” reading.
By this I mean humorous fiction (Wodehouse, Pratchett), short story and flash fiction collections (though I should add some of those can be dark in tone though they are not especially my cup of tea), and the kind of non-fiction which entertains me and helps me learn something new at the same time.
I definitely don’t want academic works. My experience of those is they don’t read well, at least to me, and there is often far too much jargon in them.
Novel wise, I’m not after the dark, grim ones. Am not a huge fan of dystopian fiction. (Especially since you could argue we are seeing so much of those themes on our news bulletins!).
I do love crime fiction (and the ones that can combine humour tick a second box for me).
I like feel good literature. For me. It is one major point to reading. Books and stories should take you into their worlds. They don’t necessarily have to be dark ones.
By this I mean humorous fiction (Wodehouse, Pratchett), short story and flash fiction collections (though I should add some of those can be dark in tone though they are not especially my cup of tea), and the kind of non-fiction which entertains me and helps me learn something new at the same time.
I definitely don’t want academic works. My experience of those is they don’t read well, at least to me, and there is often far too much jargon in them.
Novel wise, I’m not after the dark, grim ones. Am not a huge fan of dystopian fiction. (Especially since you could argue we are seeing so much of those themes on our news bulletins!).
I do love crime fiction (and the ones that can combine humour tick a second box for me).
I like feel good literature. For me. It is one major point to reading. Books and stories should take you into their worlds. They don’t necessarily have to be dark ones.
June 24, 2023
Classic -v- Contemporary Reading
Now for me there is no debate when it comes to whether you should read classic or contemporary works of fiction and non-fiction. You do both of course.
For non-fiction you need to be aware some information is likely to be out of date but there is still inspiration to be had from what people thought at the time of publication. That could even lead to fictional story ideas.
I often mix up my reading so I’ll read a novel, before going on to a story or flash collection and then I’ll move on to some non-fiction but it is a good idea to mix up between classic and contemporary as well.
You don’t want to miss out on the classic works and you want to see what is out and about now. I see this as having a good reading diet (which I find helps inspire my writing too).
It’s also encouraging to know great writers have always been inspired by others’ stories. So I should be too!
But it is interesting that ideas for stories often come when I’m reading non-fiction. And I can be as taken away by fabulous tale whether it is a classic or contemporary one.
For non-fiction you need to be aware some information is likely to be out of date but there is still inspiration to be had from what people thought at the time of publication. That could even lead to fictional story ideas.
I often mix up my reading so I’ll read a novel, before going on to a story or flash collection and then I’ll move on to some non-fiction but it is a good idea to mix up between classic and contemporary as well.
You don’t want to miss out on the classic works and you want to see what is out and about now. I see this as having a good reading diet (which I find helps inspire my writing too).
It’s also encouraging to know great writers have always been inspired by others’ stories. So I should be too!
But it is interesting that ideas for stories often come when I’m reading non-fiction. And I can be as taken away by fabulous tale whether it is a classic or contemporary one.
June 17, 2023
Book Fairs
Do you go to book fairs? I hope so.
I’m taking part in one in my area in July and am looking forward to that. It gives local authors a chance to show what they do and these things are especially useful in areas which have a lost a lot of their bookshops.
We had a fantastic local one but that had to close due to the owners’ retirement. Much missed.
All of us as readers appreciate the works of authors. We wouldn’t be on Goodreads otherwise but authors do appreciate support from readers.
Going to book fairs is just another way of showing that support. So if you have such an event coming up near you, try and get along.
You may well be surprised at the range of works your local authors produce. I know I’m impressed with what is available in my area.
Besides which, these events are fun!
I’m taking part in one in my area in July and am looking forward to that. It gives local authors a chance to show what they do and these things are especially useful in areas which have a lost a lot of their bookshops.
We had a fantastic local one but that had to close due to the owners’ retirement. Much missed.
All of us as readers appreciate the works of authors. We wouldn’t be on Goodreads otherwise but authors do appreciate support from readers.
Going to book fairs is just another way of showing that support. So if you have such an event coming up near you, try and get along.
You may well be surprised at the range of works your local authors produce. I know I’m impressed with what is available in my area.
Besides which, these events are fun!
