Allison Symes's Blog, page 14
April 1, 2023
Animal Stories
Do you like animal stories? I have a very soft spot for the classic tales like Black Beauty. Anna Sewell was an early campaigner against animal cruelty with this wonderful book.
I also love Aesop’s Fables. The Tortoise and the Hare will never date. I sometimes write animal stories in my flash fiction. I think it can work well there given flash is so short and the impact is greater due to that.
I also liked Fantastic Mr Fox and Watership Down (though it is probably best if those characters don’t mix!).
I think the strength of animal stories is when they are well done, you see things from a different perspective. You certainly do with Black Beauty.
As with any fiction, I like the character to be well portrayed and what they come up with to be reasonable in terms of what we know about them and their character.
In the case of animal stories, what we know about their behaviour patterns too should fit in with the tale being told.
I also love Aesop’s Fables. The Tortoise and the Hare will never date. I sometimes write animal stories in my flash fiction. I think it can work well there given flash is so short and the impact is greater due to that.
I also liked Fantastic Mr Fox and Watership Down (though it is probably best if those characters don’t mix!).
I think the strength of animal stories is when they are well done, you see things from a different perspective. You certainly do with Black Beauty.
As with any fiction, I like the character to be well portrayed and what they come up with to be reasonable in terms of what we know about them and their character.
In the case of animal stories, what we know about their behaviour patterns too should fit in with the tale being told.
March 25, 2023
Reviews
R = Reading is one of the great joys of life, along with writing the stories in the first place!
E = Entertainment between the covers and can be educational too.
V = Varying between light reading, serious reading, humorous reading and all kinds of genres, is it too much to ask for a review?
I = Imagine the author hard at work - a review is of enormous help to them.
E = Easy to write too - often the best reviews are fairly short.
W = Will the review influence others to buy the book - hopefully - authors appreciate their sales!
S = Support your authors - buy the books and review them. Thanks!
E = Entertainment between the covers and can be educational too.
V = Varying between light reading, serious reading, humorous reading and all kinds of genres, is it too much to ask for a review?
I = Imagine the author hard at work - a review is of enormous help to them.
E = Easy to write too - often the best reviews are fairly short.
W = Will the review influence others to buy the book - hopefully - authors appreciate their sales!
S = Support your authors - buy the books and review them. Thanks!
March 18, 2023
Memorable Characters
One of my favourite aspects to any kind of story are the characters but they have to be memorable to me.
It can be I remember their witty dialogue. It can be I remember their attitude, whether I like it or loathe it.
But there has to be something about them that makes them stand out to me. I try and do this for my own characters. If I don’t find them memorable, why should anyone else?
When you think back to stories you’ve loved from the past, it will be the characters you remember. You will remember how X did this, then that, and finally Y happened. You focus on the character you care about.
That is a challenge to me as a writer. What is it about my creations which will make readers care about them? Why do I care enough about the character to put them in a story at all? There has to be something.
This is where reading widely helps a writer. You can work out what it is about the various characters you love and loathe and deduce why that is and then apply what you‘ve learned from that to your own creations.
It can be I remember their witty dialogue. It can be I remember their attitude, whether I like it or loathe it.
But there has to be something about them that makes them stand out to me. I try and do this for my own characters. If I don’t find them memorable, why should anyone else?
When you think back to stories you’ve loved from the past, it will be the characters you remember. You will remember how X did this, then that, and finally Y happened. You focus on the character you care about.
That is a challenge to me as a writer. What is it about my creations which will make readers care about them? Why do I care enough about the character to put them in a story at all? There has to be something.
This is where reading widely helps a writer. You can work out what it is about the various characters you love and loathe and deduce why that is and then apply what you‘ve learned from that to your own creations.
March 11, 2023
Haunting Characters
I occasionally write a ghost flash fiction story. One of my favourite stories of all time involves three ghosts and a miser - I’ll leave you to guess what that one is!
And I love a great series of books called Kindred Spirits by Jennifer C Wilson who combines ghost stories and history. (I should add Jennifer is a friend but I would happily read and recommend these books anyway given I love historical fiction and this is an interesting take on it).
But haunting characters shouldn’t just be confined to ghost stories. I want characters to haunt me and stay with me long after I’ve finished reading their story.
Some of those that do this for me include Elizabeth Bennet, Mr Darcy, Sam Vimes, Death (from Discworld), Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee, Jeeves and Wooster, and many others besides. I do love an eclectic mix!
So how can a character haunt a reader then? Simply by being so convincingly portrayed any reader would want to root for them and absolutely have to find to what happens to them.
They’ve got to make the reader feel as if they were almost there in the story with them, as it is only when that is achieved will a reader care enough about them.
And I love a great series of books called Kindred Spirits by Jennifer C Wilson who combines ghost stories and history. (I should add Jennifer is a friend but I would happily read and recommend these books anyway given I love historical fiction and this is an interesting take on it).
But haunting characters shouldn’t just be confined to ghost stories. I want characters to haunt me and stay with me long after I’ve finished reading their story.
Some of those that do this for me include Elizabeth Bennet, Mr Darcy, Sam Vimes, Death (from Discworld), Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee, Jeeves and Wooster, and many others besides. I do love an eclectic mix!
So how can a character haunt a reader then? Simply by being so convincingly portrayed any reader would want to root for them and absolutely have to find to what happens to them.
They’ve got to make the reader feel as if they were almost there in the story with them, as it is only when that is achieved will a reader care enough about them.
March 4, 2023
What Makes a Good Story for You?
For me, a good story is all about whether I care about what happens to the characters or not.
If I do, I will read all the way through, whether that tale is 100 words long (classic flash fiction territory, that one!), or a 100,000 words novel.
I have got to find out what happens to the characters so I need to be able to identify with them in some way or, at the very least, have empathy for the position they find themselves in.
The plot works for me as long as I can believe in the characters, no matter how fantastical they are (or their setting is).
I also love reading (and writing) character dialogue and thoughts which move the story on. You want to feel as if you are in that character’s head and can see exactly where they are coming from.
You want to feel what your character does. That’s the only way to avoid characters being cardboard cut-outs in my view.
If I do, I will read all the way through, whether that tale is 100 words long (classic flash fiction territory, that one!), or a 100,000 words novel.
I have got to find out what happens to the characters so I need to be able to identify with them in some way or, at the very least, have empathy for the position they find themselves in.
The plot works for me as long as I can believe in the characters, no matter how fantastical they are (or their setting is).
I also love reading (and writing) character dialogue and thoughts which move the story on. You want to feel as if you are in that character’s head and can see exactly where they are coming from.
You want to feel what your character does. That’s the only way to avoid characters being cardboard cut-outs in my view.
February 25, 2023
Books as Presents
Do you prefer people to buy you books as presents or would you rather choose your own? I like to do both. Yes, I know, wouldn’t everyone?
What I do for birthdays etc is give people a list (two or three books) but because I know others will give me money or book tokens I get to use the latter to pick my own choices not on that list. Seems like a great arrangement to me.
(And I am so thrilled book tokens have not gone the way of the dodo. Support these, folks. Get book tokens for the ones you love who love books. Keep these wonderful things going!)
There is something special about picking your own books. There is something just as special about giving people a list and looking forward to finding out what they picked for you. Either way you get books out of it! There is plenty to love about that!
Now if you could give one book to a fictional or historical character, what would it be and why?
My nomination?
My historical character? Richard III.
The book I’d give him? The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey so he can find out for himself not everybody believes he was a villain.
What I do for birthdays etc is give people a list (two or three books) but because I know others will give me money or book tokens I get to use the latter to pick my own choices not on that list. Seems like a great arrangement to me.
(And I am so thrilled book tokens have not gone the way of the dodo. Support these, folks. Get book tokens for the ones you love who love books. Keep these wonderful things going!)
There is something special about picking your own books. There is something just as special about giving people a list and looking forward to finding out what they picked for you. Either way you get books out of it! There is plenty to love about that!
Now if you could give one book to a fictional or historical character, what would it be and why?
My nomination?
My historical character? Richard III.
The book I’d give him? The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey so he can find out for himself not everybody believes he was a villain.
February 18, 2023
Libraries Acrostic
L = Love your library - they’re wonderful places to explore books.
I = Imagination stretching happens right here as you explore books you might not buy/read otherwise.
B = Books, great and small; books for all.
R = Reading is encouraged and cheered on here.
A = An amazing range of book types can be found in your library - check them out.
R = Read in and out of your genre if you’re a writer; it’s not a bad idea for non-writers either!
I = Inspect sections of the library new to you and don’t forget the wonderful world of non-fiction.
E = Entertainment and education - all to be found here.
S = Support your local authors if they’re having events in the library, many do.
I = Imagination stretching happens right here as you explore books you might not buy/read otherwise.
B = Books, great and small; books for all.
R = Reading is encouraged and cheered on here.
A = An amazing range of book types can be found in your library - check them out.
R = Read in and out of your genre if you’re a writer; it’s not a bad idea for non-writers either!
I = Inspect sections of the library new to you and don’t forget the wonderful world of non-fiction.
E = Entertainment and education - all to be found here.
S = Support your local authors if they’re having events in the library, many do.
February 11, 2023
Re-Reading
Do you make a habit of re-reading books or is it something you only do occasionally?
I can sympathise with the school of thought that says life is so short, read new books, then read more new books etc.
But I must admit I do re-read. There are certain books I simply have to re-read (or in some cases re-listen to) at different times of the year.
For example, I have to take in Hogfather by Terry Pratchett in the run up to Christmas. In that case I nearly always re-watch the excellent film adaptation.
The nice thing here is, as well as enjoying old favourites again, I nearly always pick up something new from the repeat reading - a bit of wonderful characterisation that I somehow hadn’t quite picked up on before.
A great book can always stand being re-read. You should be able to get more enjoyment from it each time.
Here it is not a case of familiarity breeding contempt, more like familiarity breeding anticipation of more things to enjoy from a well-loved story.
What is there not to like about that?!
I can sympathise with the school of thought that says life is so short, read new books, then read more new books etc.
But I must admit I do re-read. There are certain books I simply have to re-read (or in some cases re-listen to) at different times of the year.
For example, I have to take in Hogfather by Terry Pratchett in the run up to Christmas. In that case I nearly always re-watch the excellent film adaptation.
The nice thing here is, as well as enjoying old favourites again, I nearly always pick up something new from the repeat reading - a bit of wonderful characterisation that I somehow hadn’t quite picked up on before.
A great book can always stand being re-read. You should be able to get more enjoyment from it each time.
Here it is not a case of familiarity breeding contempt, more like familiarity breeding anticipation of more things to enjoy from a well-loved story.
What is there not to like about that?!
February 4, 2023
Light Fiction
What would you say light fiction was? It’s definitely nothing to do with the weight of the book, though I would advise against dropping the three volume paperback of The Lord of the Rings on your foot (to say nothing of the hardback!).
Light fiction isn’t necessarily anything to do with genre either. I have read cosy crime which I would consider to be “light” fiction because it has amused me, entertained me, but doesn’t pretend to send a great message out to the world at large.
I love reading books “just” for entertainment (though it is my experience the writers of said works have worked very hard to get to this point. If something looks effortless, it means someone somewhere has put in years of work to get to that point).
Jane Austen is rightly considered a classic author. The messages in her book are sbutle but she delivers them through entertaining stories.
I don’t want a heavy, serious read. I read to unwind or to learn something and even there, non-fiction doesn’t have to be “heavy going” either. The best books here read like novels too and, for me, are far more likely to have readers keep turning the pages to find out more.
Light fiction isn’t necessarily anything to do with genre either. I have read cosy crime which I would consider to be “light” fiction because it has amused me, entertained me, but doesn’t pretend to send a great message out to the world at large.
I love reading books “just” for entertainment (though it is my experience the writers of said works have worked very hard to get to this point. If something looks effortless, it means someone somewhere has put in years of work to get to that point).
Jane Austen is rightly considered a classic author. The messages in her book are sbutle but she delivers them through entertaining stories.
I don’t want a heavy, serious read. I read to unwind or to learn something and even there, non-fiction doesn’t have to be “heavy going” either. The best books here read like novels too and, for me, are far more likely to have readers keep turning the pages to find out more.
January 28, 2023
Book Deliveries
I recently took stock of a delivery of copies of my two flash fiction collections. Always a joy to top up on stocks and to open parcels like that.
I love book deliveries, also for when I am buying in other authors’ works. Those parcels are joy to open too!
I’ve never envied Santa for his sleigh round. There will be a lot of books on there - and they’re heavy. Maybe that explains the need for millions of mince pies!
I do, of course, visit book shops (not as often as I’d like. Mind you, this may be a good thing to (a) help my bank balance and (b) you might need a crow bar to get me out of the shop).
But however you get your books, the important thing is to enjoy them.
I like to read widely in and out of my genre (including non-fiction) as that helps me inspire with my own writing.
How? Simply in that an odd line here or there will spark off an idea for a situation I could put my characters into and then have fun working out how they get out of it again, assuming they do.
Also the odd fact can spark ideas for a character.
And the best reason of all to enjoy books?
Simply because reading is fun.
I love book deliveries, also for when I am buying in other authors’ works. Those parcels are joy to open too!
I’ve never envied Santa for his sleigh round. There will be a lot of books on there - and they’re heavy. Maybe that explains the need for millions of mince pies!
I do, of course, visit book shops (not as often as I’d like. Mind you, this may be a good thing to (a) help my bank balance and (b) you might need a crow bar to get me out of the shop).
But however you get your books, the important thing is to enjoy them.
I like to read widely in and out of my genre (including non-fiction) as that helps me inspire with my own writing.
How? Simply in that an odd line here or there will spark off an idea for a situation I could put my characters into and then have fun working out how they get out of it again, assuming they do.
Also the odd fact can spark ideas for a character.
And the best reason of all to enjoy books?
Simply because reading is fun.
