Allison Symes's Blog, page 25
February 20, 2021
What Sells a Book to You?
What would you say sells a book to you once you have read it?
You’ve loved the cover, the blurb, and you’ve enjoyed the story but what was the stand out element for you?
For me, it is always about the characters. They have to grip me so I want to follow their story through.
They don’t necessarily have to be likeable. They do have to be memorable.
I have to understand where they are coming from, even if I disagree with the route they’ve taken.
And if a character makes me want to shout at them or what have you, then that’s a good sign. It means they’ve engaged me, even if they’ve annoyed me! I then look further at why they’ve annoyed me too.
What I really dislike are insipid characters because you think what is the point of their story.
No writer wants that one!
You’ve loved the cover, the blurb, and you’ve enjoyed the story but what was the stand out element for you?
For me, it is always about the characters. They have to grip me so I want to follow their story through.
They don’t necessarily have to be likeable. They do have to be memorable.
I have to understand where they are coming from, even if I disagree with the route they’ve taken.
And if a character makes me want to shout at them or what have you, then that’s a good sign. It means they’ve engaged me, even if they’ve annoyed me! I then look further at why they’ve annoyed me too.
What I really dislike are insipid characters because you think what is the point of their story.
No writer wants that one!
February 13, 2021
Listening to Books
Do you listen to audio books? I do sometimes, mainly on long car journeys (and there will be a time when we can do such things again!).
I love the Terry Pratchett Discworld audio books for these. Great story lines and plenty of laughs - what’s not to like about that combination?
On a long haul trip to Scotland, we can get through one complete audio book on the way up and another one on the journey home!
I think Going Postal, Raising Steam, and Men at Arms work particularly well but I won’t pretend to be unbiased here. These are probably my three favourite Pratchett stories.
What are your favourite audio books? Do you like funny or serious tales for these? Fiction or non-fiction?
I must admit I’ve not tried a non-fiction audio book? Any thoughts on these and are there any you would recommend?
I do know audio is a great way to get stories in to people who may not sit down and read a hard or paperback so let’s hear it for the audio book (some pun intended!).
I also love the way Talking Books make stories more accessible too.
And at the end of the day the story is the important thing. What you want is to find the format that suits you. (In my case, paperbacks, Kindle, and audio).
I love the Terry Pratchett Discworld audio books for these. Great story lines and plenty of laughs - what’s not to like about that combination?
On a long haul trip to Scotland, we can get through one complete audio book on the way up and another one on the journey home!
I think Going Postal, Raising Steam, and Men at Arms work particularly well but I won’t pretend to be unbiased here. These are probably my three favourite Pratchett stories.
What are your favourite audio books? Do you like funny or serious tales for these? Fiction or non-fiction?
I must admit I’ve not tried a non-fiction audio book? Any thoughts on these and are there any you would recommend?
I do know audio is a great way to get stories in to people who may not sit down and read a hard or paperback so let’s hear it for the audio book (some pun intended!).
I also love the way Talking Books make stories more accessible too.
And at the end of the day the story is the important thing. What you want is to find the format that suits you. (In my case, paperbacks, Kindle, and audio).
February 6, 2021
Books For The Professions
At the end (almost) of a busy week, I thought I’d share books for the professions. Some of these may have
been edited a little!
Plumbers - Leak House, David Copperpipe.
Lawyers - Pride and (Without) Prejudice
Postmen - Going Postal (no editing there!) and any of the old penny dreadfuls though for these good people they would naturally become the old penny blacks!
Tree Surgeons - Wind in the Willows (also a good one for weather forecasters), The (tree) House on Pooh Corner.
Writers - The War of the Words, James and the Giant Pen
Interior Decorators - Curtain (Agatha Christie’s last Poirot novel).
Dentists - White Teeth (what else?!).
I’m very fond of I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue, which is on Radio 4, where the panellists will often have to come up with books or film titles for a specific profession. All good fun.
Hope you enjoyed these and do send in your suggestions for suitable books for certain jobs.
been edited a little!
Plumbers - Leak House, David Copperpipe.
Lawyers - Pride and (Without) Prejudice
Postmen - Going Postal (no editing there!) and any of the old penny dreadfuls though for these good people they would naturally become the old penny blacks!
Tree Surgeons - Wind in the Willows (also a good one for weather forecasters), The (tree) House on Pooh Corner.
Writers - The War of the Words, James and the Giant Pen
Interior Decorators - Curtain (Agatha Christie’s last Poirot novel).
Dentists - White Teeth (what else?!).
I’m very fond of I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue, which is on Radio 4, where the panellists will often have to come up with books or film titles for a specific profession. All good fun.
Hope you enjoyed these and do send in your suggestions for suitable books for certain jobs.
January 30, 2021
What I Like to See In A Book
Hmm… this is a good statement, isn’t it? I could give chapter and verse here, appropriately, but for me one thing only is key to whether a book is good or not.
It’s all down to the characters. Do they grip me? Do they get me rooting for them to succeed or fail?
(Funnily enough, either is fine, and I do love to see a “good” villain get their comeuppance eventually. I blame my love of fairytales for that one).
If a character does not grip me, I switch off. I love Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth Bennett is a fabulous character and ahead of her time. She says what she thinks and I love that.
Conversely, I am not gripped by Mansfield Park as I think the heroine there is dull and, to my mind, not worth of being a heroine. Her happy ending does depend on the misfortunes of others, in my view, but Elizabeth had to work for hers and it was by no means certain it would happen until close to the end.
I wanted to see Miss Price do so much more to “earn” her happy ending but there you go.
(I guess it’s a kind of warning to all writers that even the best can come up with characters who don’t engage with their readers and I know there are those who love Mansfield Park but it has never done anything for me because of this).
It’s all down to the characters. Do they grip me? Do they get me rooting for them to succeed or fail?
(Funnily enough, either is fine, and I do love to see a “good” villain get their comeuppance eventually. I blame my love of fairytales for that one).
If a character does not grip me, I switch off. I love Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth Bennett is a fabulous character and ahead of her time. She says what she thinks and I love that.
Conversely, I am not gripped by Mansfield Park as I think the heroine there is dull and, to my mind, not worth of being a heroine. Her happy ending does depend on the misfortunes of others, in my view, but Elizabeth had to work for hers and it was by no means certain it would happen until close to the end.
I wanted to see Miss Price do so much more to “earn” her happy ending but there you go.
(I guess it’s a kind of warning to all writers that even the best can come up with characters who don’t engage with their readers and I know there are those who love Mansfield Park but it has never done anything for me because of this).
January 23, 2021
Reading/Writing Guides
Do you find reading and/or writing guides helpful? For reading, I still like the BBC’s Big Read Book of Books compilation of books that made it into their top 100.
They produced a series of programmes to discuss the books chosen too and if I remember correctly there was a celebrity who would champion a particular book or author. (Some authors have more than one entry here. I’m not giving away anything major by saying Dickens was amongst these!).
The compilation book is beautifully illustrated, gives you a precis of what each book is about, and details about the author. Lovely book and a good way to fill in gaps in your knowledge and add to your TBR list of course! The latter of course was the whole idea behind the Big Read.
Maybe it is time for an update? I would welcome one. Would much change? We’d still have the classics in there (and rightly so, they’re classics for a reason) but the contemporary novels would change and it would be interesting to compare what would come in now as opposed to when this programme and book first came out in the early 2000s.
For writing guides, I like those which are down to earth and full of practical advice. My favourite here is On Writing by Stephen King but I am also fond of books such as Scrivener for Dummies by Gwen Hernandez. Lots of practical tips and I love the layout too. (You also can’t beat a good index for books like this so let’s hear it for the indexers!).
Naturally I like The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook and the Mslexia Indie Press Guide. Information all in one place - let’s hear it for the well thought out book!
And the good news? There will always be plenty of room on the bookshelves for books like this.
They produced a series of programmes to discuss the books chosen too and if I remember correctly there was a celebrity who would champion a particular book or author. (Some authors have more than one entry here. I’m not giving away anything major by saying Dickens was amongst these!).
The compilation book is beautifully illustrated, gives you a precis of what each book is about, and details about the author. Lovely book and a good way to fill in gaps in your knowledge and add to your TBR list of course! The latter of course was the whole idea behind the Big Read.
Maybe it is time for an update? I would welcome one. Would much change? We’d still have the classics in there (and rightly so, they’re classics for a reason) but the contemporary novels would change and it would be interesting to compare what would come in now as opposed to when this programme and book first came out in the early 2000s.
For writing guides, I like those which are down to earth and full of practical advice. My favourite here is On Writing by Stephen King but I am also fond of books such as Scrivener for Dummies by Gwen Hernandez. Lots of practical tips and I love the layout too. (You also can’t beat a good index for books like this so let’s hear it for the indexers!).
Naturally I like The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook and the Mslexia Indie Press Guide. Information all in one place - let’s hear it for the well thought out book!
And the good news? There will always be plenty of room on the bookshelves for books like this.
January 16, 2021
Humorous Books
If ever there was a time for humorous books, it is now isn’t it? Something to cheer people up with and I must admit I was pleased to see that sales of P.G. Wodehouse books have gone up during the pandemic. (I hope the same has happened with Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books too).
And of course humour creeps into other genres too, including crime and horror. I do love a witty one-liner from a character where you know the character is capable of coming up with such things.
It is a bugbear of mind that humorous books aren’t taken more seriously. They are “proper” literature and shouldn’t be looked down on.
If anything a writer capable of writing humour should be lauded simply because it is not the easiest thing to do. Humour is subjective after all.
Mind you, the written word has a huge advantage here. I love “seeing” puns come out, where appropriate to the storyline.
Language, and playing with it to make stories, should be fun and I like to see fun in the final results.
I guess this may well be one reason that misery memoir really is not for me, no matter how well written it is. I’ve got to have some cheer somewhere and even a gripping crime novel, with the odd bit of humour in it, will always work better for me than that.
Have you any favourite funny books you turn to for literally light reading relief as and when you need it?
And of course humour creeps into other genres too, including crime and horror. I do love a witty one-liner from a character where you know the character is capable of coming up with such things.
It is a bugbear of mind that humorous books aren’t taken more seriously. They are “proper” literature and shouldn’t be looked down on.
If anything a writer capable of writing humour should be lauded simply because it is not the easiest thing to do. Humour is subjective after all.
Mind you, the written word has a huge advantage here. I love “seeing” puns come out, where appropriate to the storyline.
Language, and playing with it to make stories, should be fun and I like to see fun in the final results.
I guess this may well be one reason that misery memoir really is not for me, no matter how well written it is. I’ve got to have some cheer somewhere and even a gripping crime novel, with the odd bit of humour in it, will always work better for me than that.
Have you any favourite funny books you turn to for literally light reading relief as and when you need it?
January 9, 2021
Books as Gifts
Books make wonderful presents, of course. There is something for everyone in terms of genre and format.
And they’re easy to post as well (which given the current situation with the pandemic proved vital for the Christmas we’ve just had. I wonder just how many book-shaped parcels Royal Mail delivered in December 2020!).
There is one dilemma with books given as gifts though. You have got to resist the urge to read the book yourself or you’ll find it harder to give it away. Get the book home, get it wrapped! It is the only way….
Or is it?
Okay, there is an answer to this one. Get TWO copies of the book. You get a book, your friend gets a book (which has not been read through by you first!) and the author will love you for it.
You know it makes sense. Support your local authors!
I’m always delighted to be on the receiving end of books as presents and for Christmas and my birthday, I end up making a list. No surprises there but as I always tell my family, it does mean I’m easy to buy for!
Yes, books are wonderful. Ideal presents. And for those who loathe shopping of any kind (and I know a few!), you can give them a list and simplify what they have to do so win-win!
And they’re easy to post as well (which given the current situation with the pandemic proved vital for the Christmas we’ve just had. I wonder just how many book-shaped parcels Royal Mail delivered in December 2020!).
There is one dilemma with books given as gifts though. You have got to resist the urge to read the book yourself or you’ll find it harder to give it away. Get the book home, get it wrapped! It is the only way….
Or is it?
Okay, there is an answer to this one. Get TWO copies of the book. You get a book, your friend gets a book (which has not been read through by you first!) and the author will love you for it.
You know it makes sense. Support your local authors!
I’m always delighted to be on the receiving end of books as presents and for Christmas and my birthday, I end up making a list. No surprises there but as I always tell my family, it does mean I’m easy to buy for!
Yes, books are wonderful. Ideal presents. And for those who loathe shopping of any kind (and I know a few!), you can give them a list and simplify what they have to do so win-win!
January 2, 2021
BOOKS Acrostic
B = Beautiful, bindings to suit (paperback or hardback or chapbook, brilliant at taking you into other worlds.
O = Original thoughts from writers and can make you look at our own world in a different light while reading fantasy and science fiction
O = Overdosing on books is fine. The worst you will be is well read and short on book shelf space.
K = Kindle. One way around the shelf storage problem and you don’t have to limit books to take away with you on holiday, when we can do such things again.
S = Stories in so many forms including non-fiction because that tells factual stories.
Happy New Year!
O = Original thoughts from writers and can make you look at our own world in a different light while reading fantasy and science fiction
O = Overdosing on books is fine. The worst you will be is well read and short on book shelf space.
K = Kindle. One way around the shelf storage problem and you don’t have to limit books to take away with you on holiday, when we can do such things again.
S = Stories in so many forms including non-fiction because that tells factual stories.
Happy New Year!
December 27, 2020
Books under the Christmas Tree
I hope there were plenty of books left for you under the Christmas tree this year. I’m happy with my selection, in particular a non-fiction one I’d had my eye on for a while, which I’m sure is going to help me with a major writing project I’m working on.
I’ve got three months now to compile a book request list for my birthday! I think I’ll manage it though!!
Unsurprisingly, Christmas is the biggest market for publishers and writers. With my reader’s hat on, it is perfect given the weather outside (in the UK) is often ghastly, what better thing to do than curl up with a book and a mug or glass of something nice to drink?
And finishing the day with a good read has always struck me as an excellent thing to do.
So what made you decide to go for the books on your Christmas list?
Was it a case of getting the latest by a favourite author or was there a title that caught your eye? Or both, of course?
Whatever you chose, I hope you have a fabulous time reading.
I’ve got three months now to compile a book request list for my birthday! I think I’ll manage it though!!
Unsurprisingly, Christmas is the biggest market for publishers and writers. With my reader’s hat on, it is perfect given the weather outside (in the UK) is often ghastly, what better thing to do than curl up with a book and a mug or glass of something nice to drink?
And finishing the day with a good read has always struck me as an excellent thing to do.
So what made you decide to go for the books on your Christmas list?
Was it a case of getting the latest by a favourite author or was there a title that caught your eye? Or both, of course?
Whatever you chose, I hope you have a fabulous time reading.
December 19, 2020
Perfect Books To Relax With
What kind of book do you like to relax with? My favourites are fantasy (especially the humorous kind such as Terry Pratchett’s wonderful Discworld stories) and crime (though I am more at the cosy end of the market).
Though right now I am loving Peter Ackroyd’s London, which is a biography of the city. An interesting way of writing up a history and full of fascinating tales.
It’s a fairly big paperback but is an engrossing read so very happy to recommend it. If a writer’s style draws me in, as it does here, it doesn’t matter how big the book is!
They’ve got this reader to the end (which is a challenge for all of us writers to ensure we try and do that with our own writing).
I can’t read in the bath. I’d be worried about dropping a book or Kindle in the water. Neither would come out well.
This is why my main reading is just before I go to sleep. I am so relaxed then. It’s not the time to read a gripping vampire novel though. Mind you, I wasn’t planning on doing this so that’s okay.
For me books have to be entertaining and help me relax. If I want a challenging read, I will carve out time during the day when my brain is better able to cope with said challenging read!
I hope you have plenty of excellent new reads for Christmas and I hope you have a safe and as good a celebration as possible.
If ever there was a year, we all needed books to help us escape, it is in 2020.
Though right now I am loving Peter Ackroyd’s London, which is a biography of the city. An interesting way of writing up a history and full of fascinating tales.
It’s a fairly big paperback but is an engrossing read so very happy to recommend it. If a writer’s style draws me in, as it does here, it doesn’t matter how big the book is!
They’ve got this reader to the end (which is a challenge for all of us writers to ensure we try and do that with our own writing).
I can’t read in the bath. I’d be worried about dropping a book or Kindle in the water. Neither would come out well.
This is why my main reading is just before I go to sleep. I am so relaxed then. It’s not the time to read a gripping vampire novel though. Mind you, I wasn’t planning on doing this so that’s okay.
For me books have to be entertaining and help me relax. If I want a challenging read, I will carve out time during the day when my brain is better able to cope with said challenging read!
I hope you have plenty of excellent new reads for Christmas and I hope you have a safe and as good a celebration as possible.
If ever there was a year, we all needed books to help us escape, it is in 2020.
