Allison Symes's Blog, page 28
July 25, 2020
Intriguing Titles
What kind of book titles grab your attention? For me, they’ve got to intrigue.
For example, Josephine Tey’s marvellous historical detective novel The Daughter of Time grabbed my attention because it made me wonder how that could apply to a story. I found out of course!
As for Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, I had to find out who was the proud one and who was guilty of prejudice. I found that out too!
I like open titles too which can set a mood in any direction. A good example of that is The Lord of the Rings. Yes, really. Why? Because I had to find out who the lord was and whether they were good, evil, or something in between. The title itself does not reveal that. You also have to find out why the rings matter so another good hook there.
When I’m writing my own stories, I have to have a title as a “peg” to work to but I often find I come up with better thoughts after I’ve got that first draft down.
That’s fine. I simply change the title to the better one but do find I have something to help me get started.
Titles matter. They are a great advert for a book. I would argue they’re the first great advert for a book. If the title doesn’t grab me, I’m not going to even look at the blurb. Again lessons for all writers including me there.
Whatever you’re reading, enjoy. And I hope it has a super title!
For example, Josephine Tey’s marvellous historical detective novel The Daughter of Time grabbed my attention because it made me wonder how that could apply to a story. I found out of course!
As for Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, I had to find out who was the proud one and who was guilty of prejudice. I found that out too!
I like open titles too which can set a mood in any direction. A good example of that is The Lord of the Rings. Yes, really. Why? Because I had to find out who the lord was and whether they were good, evil, or something in between. The title itself does not reveal that. You also have to find out why the rings matter so another good hook there.
When I’m writing my own stories, I have to have a title as a “peg” to work to but I often find I come up with better thoughts after I’ve got that first draft down.
That’s fine. I simply change the title to the better one but do find I have something to help me get started.
Titles matter. They are a great advert for a book. I would argue they’re the first great advert for a book. If the title doesn’t grab me, I’m not going to even look at the blurb. Again lessons for all writers including me there.
Whatever you’re reading, enjoy. And I hope it has a super title!
July 18, 2020
First Books You Chose For Yourself
Do you remember the first book you chose for yourself?
The first single book I chose was Jane Austen’s Collected Works. It is handy having them in one volume!
The first book series I collected (and still have) was the Agatha Christie series published via Odhams Books. Remember them? The nice thing with that series is it covers all of her major characters from Poirot to Marple to Tommy and Tuppence. Great stories.
The first fantasy book I chose for myself was The Lord of the Rings.
The first history book I chose was Simon Schama’s History of Britain which tied in with his TV series of the same name.
The first comic series I went for was P.G. Wodehouse’s wonderful works. (I don’t have them all but do have a fair number). I started with Jeeves and Wooster, thanks to the fab TV adaptation where Stephen Fry played Jeeves and Hugh Lawrie played Bertie.
I then went on to Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. I started with Jingo and then worked backwards to the beginning with The Colour of Magic.
Oh and I mustn’t forget Enid Blyton’s Famous Five series. My local (at the time) ITV network, Southern TV (sadly long gone), produced a great adaptation of these and the books were reissued with the covers showing the child actors in their roles. Sadly Southern lost their franchise and I believe the series ended. I don’t know what happened to the books I managed to collect (I used to be able to buy them from the local newsagent - how times have changed!) but loved the stories.
So can TV and film have a great influence on book buying? Oh yes!
The first single book I chose was Jane Austen’s Collected Works. It is handy having them in one volume!
The first book series I collected (and still have) was the Agatha Christie series published via Odhams Books. Remember them? The nice thing with that series is it covers all of her major characters from Poirot to Marple to Tommy and Tuppence. Great stories.
The first fantasy book I chose for myself was The Lord of the Rings.
The first history book I chose was Simon Schama’s History of Britain which tied in with his TV series of the same name.
The first comic series I went for was P.G. Wodehouse’s wonderful works. (I don’t have them all but do have a fair number). I started with Jeeves and Wooster, thanks to the fab TV adaptation where Stephen Fry played Jeeves and Hugh Lawrie played Bertie.
I then went on to Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. I started with Jingo and then worked backwards to the beginning with The Colour of Magic.
Oh and I mustn’t forget Enid Blyton’s Famous Five series. My local (at the time) ITV network, Southern TV (sadly long gone), produced a great adaptation of these and the books were reissued with the covers showing the child actors in their roles. Sadly Southern lost their franchise and I believe the series ended. I don’t know what happened to the books I managed to collect (I used to be able to buy them from the local newsagent - how times have changed!) but loved the stories.
So can TV and film have a great influence on book buying? Oh yes!
July 11, 2020
The Short Read or The Three Volume Epic?
Okay, so what would be your first choice? I must admit I’m torn as I love both.
A lot would depend on time available and I love reading, as well as writing, the short forms of fiction. I love the idea of crystallising a whole world in a few hundred words or so.
Short story and flash fiction collections have the huge advantage of giving you a chance to taste an author's work and see if you like it before you read their longer works. From a writing viewpoint, it is lovely to be able to write and submit short stories and flash tales to different markets and competitions while working on longer term, bigger projects in the background.
But for the creation of a huge world it’s hard to beat the three volume epic and The Lord of the Rings is the definitive version of that for me. (Just don't drop the book on your foot!).
It is a little ironic that, as a flash fiction writer, I veer between the quick read and the very long one! But then maybe that is why. There are times I need to read the exact opposite of what I do.
Hmm… I guess that means I ought to get around to War and Peace then!
A lot would depend on time available and I love reading, as well as writing, the short forms of fiction. I love the idea of crystallising a whole world in a few hundred words or so.
Short story and flash fiction collections have the huge advantage of giving you a chance to taste an author's work and see if you like it before you read their longer works. From a writing viewpoint, it is lovely to be able to write and submit short stories and flash tales to different markets and competitions while working on longer term, bigger projects in the background.
But for the creation of a huge world it’s hard to beat the three volume epic and The Lord of the Rings is the definitive version of that for me. (Just don't drop the book on your foot!).
It is a little ironic that, as a flash fiction writer, I veer between the quick read and the very long one! But then maybe that is why. There are times I need to read the exact opposite of what I do.
Hmm… I guess that means I ought to get around to War and Peace then!
July 4, 2020
Reactions to Stories
How do you react to stories? I know, I know, what kind of question is that? So much depends on the story you’re reading, right?
Yes, fair comment and all that, but what I am getting at here is do you react to a story in the way the author intended?
Now I must admit if someone tells me “oh, Allison, you’ve got to laugh at this”, a lot of the time I won’t! I want to decide what I find funny, thanks!
But it is true that in whatever story I read, if the situation and the characters come across as natural to me, I am much more likely to react in the way the author wants.
Puppet on a string here? Perhaps. But I want the author to put in the work to set up a situation and character so I will want to react the appropriate way. I see that as part of the “deal”.
The author has set up a funny situation (though it often isn’t to the character, which makes a situation even more funny a lot of the time) and I will react to it. What I don’t want is something coming across as forced.
Even in the most fantastical worlds and situations, there has to be something that I as a reader can empathise with and react to - as the author would want, of course!
Happy reading!
Yes, fair comment and all that, but what I am getting at here is do you react to a story in the way the author intended?
Now I must admit if someone tells me “oh, Allison, you’ve got to laugh at this”, a lot of the time I won’t! I want to decide what I find funny, thanks!
But it is true that in whatever story I read, if the situation and the characters come across as natural to me, I am much more likely to react in the way the author wants.
Puppet on a string here? Perhaps. But I want the author to put in the work to set up a situation and character so I will want to react the appropriate way. I see that as part of the “deal”.
The author has set up a funny situation (though it often isn’t to the character, which makes a situation even more funny a lot of the time) and I will react to it. What I don’t want is something coming across as forced.
Even in the most fantastical worlds and situations, there has to be something that I as a reader can empathise with and react to - as the author would want, of course!
Happy reading!
June 27, 2020
Book Habits That Annoy
Aside from the obvious one of people turning down corners of books (which is even more irritating when they’ve borrowed the book from you!), what annoying book habits “get” you?
1. Feeling yourself about to nod off when you’ve been looking forward to reading all day and you’ve managed to read about two minutes’ worth of glorious prose. Yet you know if you make yourself keep reading, you will wake yourself up and then not be able to sleep properly when the time does come for lights out.
2. Not being to make up your mind about reading from your Kindle or paperback bookshelf and by the time you’ve decided, guess what? It’s lights out time again.
3. Looking for THE one book you’re longing to read, knowing you’ve got it somewhere, but can you find it when you want it to hand? Surprise, surprise - no!
4. Managing to pick up that hardback you’ve been looking forward to reading and end up dropping it on your foot. Some of these big beasties hurt when they land on your toes!
5. Having two books come out at about the same time by your favourite authors and not being able to decide which one to read first.
Of course, all of the above COULD just be me but I don’t think so!
Over to you then. Can you add to the list?
1. Feeling yourself about to nod off when you’ve been looking forward to reading all day and you’ve managed to read about two minutes’ worth of glorious prose. Yet you know if you make yourself keep reading, you will wake yourself up and then not be able to sleep properly when the time does come for lights out.
2. Not being to make up your mind about reading from your Kindle or paperback bookshelf and by the time you’ve decided, guess what? It’s lights out time again.
3. Looking for THE one book you’re longing to read, knowing you’ve got it somewhere, but can you find it when you want it to hand? Surprise, surprise - no!
4. Managing to pick up that hardback you’ve been looking forward to reading and end up dropping it on your foot. Some of these big beasties hurt when they land on your toes!
5. Having two books come out at about the same time by your favourite authors and not being able to decide which one to read first.
Of course, all of the above COULD just be me but I don’t think so!
Over to you then. Can you add to the list?
June 20, 2020
Outdoor or Indoor Reading
Allowing for the time of year, do you enjoy reading books outside?
The only time I get to do this is when I'm on holiday. At home I tend to think I should be getting on with some gardening rather than reading a book.
I know! Allison, why don't you tell the inner critic to go away? That is sometimes easier said than done though!
That said, I do find it easier to grab a magazine and read that outside while enjoying a drink or a bite to eat. (It's also easier to use as a fly/wasp swat should the need arise!).
So how about you? I do find it far easier to read indoors and ideally at bedtime when my inner critic has gone away for the night and I can read in peace.
I also know my treasured books aren't at risk of being rained on etc so I guess that comes into it too,
What matters though is finding time to read and unwind. And reading is such a wonderful way to unwind. I can only live one life but through books and stories I can get to experience many at secondhand. That is one aspect to stories I simply adore.
The only time I get to do this is when I'm on holiday. At home I tend to think I should be getting on with some gardening rather than reading a book.
I know! Allison, why don't you tell the inner critic to go away? That is sometimes easier said than done though!
That said, I do find it easier to grab a magazine and read that outside while enjoying a drink or a bite to eat. (It's also easier to use as a fly/wasp swat should the need arise!).
So how about you? I do find it far easier to read indoors and ideally at bedtime when my inner critic has gone away for the night and I can read in peace.
I also know my treasured books aren't at risk of being rained on etc so I guess that comes into it too,
What matters though is finding time to read and unwind. And reading is such a wonderful way to unwind. I can only live one life but through books and stories I can get to experience many at secondhand. That is one aspect to stories I simply adore.
June 13, 2020
Ebook -v- Paperback
Now I must declare an interest in this topic. I've been published in both formats and so, naturally, I love both. Well you would, wouldn't you?
My trusty old Kindle goes with me whenever I'm away at events or holiday (not that this is happening right now!). But when I want some comfort reading, I will nearly always turn to a trusty paperback.
Flash fiction and short story collections I nearly always have on the Kindle. Most of the novels I read are in paperback.
I have a nice mixture of ebook and paperback for non-fiction books. (And yes I do take advantage of special offers on ebooks. It can and does make the difference as to whether I buy a book at all at times and this is another reason why I have no problems with book format. I also don't mind at all if my book and the anthologies my work has appeared in sell well in either format! Naturally, ideally I'd like them to do well in both!).
So however you read, enjoy.
Whatever you read, enjoy!
My trusty old Kindle goes with me whenever I'm away at events or holiday (not that this is happening right now!). But when I want some comfort reading, I will nearly always turn to a trusty paperback.
Flash fiction and short story collections I nearly always have on the Kindle. Most of the novels I read are in paperback.
I have a nice mixture of ebook and paperback for non-fiction books. (And yes I do take advantage of special offers on ebooks. It can and does make the difference as to whether I buy a book at all at times and this is another reason why I have no problems with book format. I also don't mind at all if my book and the anthologies my work has appeared in sell well in either format! Naturally, ideally I'd like them to do well in both!).
So however you read, enjoy.
Whatever you read, enjoy!
June 6, 2020
The Right Time For a Good Book
I prefer to read in bed but the right time for a good book varies from reader to reader of course.
What is your preferred reading time?
Mind you, I am pretty good at sneaking in extra reading over lunch, though I usually read magazines then. Still it is all grist to the reading mill and I get more read so win-win!
Reading for me is principally a form of entertainment.
Secondly, it is a form of widening my experience of the world. When life is tough, I will always go for books that make me feel better, often tried and tested favourites.
When life is okay, I will want to stretch myself with my reading and that is when I will read books and authors new to me. The good thing is with life being so full of ups and downs for everyone, I get to “do” both kinds of reading over time. So that’s okay.
I like the Look Inside feature on Amazon when trying out new authors and most of the time I do end up buying, having liked what I’ve seen.
I tend to go through phases here too when I will be downloading a few things, none for a bit, and then downloading again. Just as well really that an electronic book shelf cannot give way!
When do you decide it’s time to widen your reading horizons? Is it just based on friends’ recommendations or do you have to be in the right frame of mind to “bite”?
Usually I will take a look at a book a friend recommends and if the blurb, the cover, and the Look Inside attract me, I download. But all of it has to appeal.
And that’s something I try to bear in mind with my author hat on. How can I get these details right for a potential reader of mine?
What is your preferred reading time?
Mind you, I am pretty good at sneaking in extra reading over lunch, though I usually read magazines then. Still it is all grist to the reading mill and I get more read so win-win!
Reading for me is principally a form of entertainment.
Secondly, it is a form of widening my experience of the world. When life is tough, I will always go for books that make me feel better, often tried and tested favourites.
When life is okay, I will want to stretch myself with my reading and that is when I will read books and authors new to me. The good thing is with life being so full of ups and downs for everyone, I get to “do” both kinds of reading over time. So that’s okay.
I like the Look Inside feature on Amazon when trying out new authors and most of the time I do end up buying, having liked what I’ve seen.
I tend to go through phases here too when I will be downloading a few things, none for a bit, and then downloading again. Just as well really that an electronic book shelf cannot give way!
When do you decide it’s time to widen your reading horizons? Is it just based on friends’ recommendations or do you have to be in the right frame of mind to “bite”?
Usually I will take a look at a book a friend recommends and if the blurb, the cover, and the Look Inside attract me, I download. But all of it has to appeal.
And that’s something I try to bear in mind with my author hat on. How can I get these details right for a potential reader of mine?
May 30, 2020
Recovering From A Reading Drought
Occasionally I have a reading drought and I am glad it is a rare occurrence. It nearly always happens when I'm over-tired or stressed etc and it just means I can't face reading anything for a while. I'm just getting over one now (and by something that is definitely not a coincidence, it started a week or so into lockdown here in the UK).
Now this is not the usual me by any means. I DO read all the notices on the fish and chip shop walls (when we're allowed to go back there) and yes I read the back of the cornflakes packet eons ago!
I've learned just to bear with this drought because I know it will pass and it is only temporary. How do I get out of it again?
I turn to humorous prose, which is one of my great loves anyway. It rarely fails to cheer me and, once I've started reading again, the lure of books keeps me hooked, which is what I want of course.
I've had no problem writing during this lockdown. I do wonder if it is my subsconcious telling me "you can do one creative activity, Madam, but you're not doing two!"
Any thoughts on how to tell my subsconcious to shut up and leave me alone so I can carry on reading would be welcomed!
Now this is not the usual me by any means. I DO read all the notices on the fish and chip shop walls (when we're allowed to go back there) and yes I read the back of the cornflakes packet eons ago!
I've learned just to bear with this drought because I know it will pass and it is only temporary. How do I get out of it again?
I turn to humorous prose, which is one of my great loves anyway. It rarely fails to cheer me and, once I've started reading again, the lure of books keeps me hooked, which is what I want of course.
I've had no problem writing during this lockdown. I do wonder if it is my subsconcious telling me "you can do one creative activity, Madam, but you're not doing two!"
Any thoughts on how to tell my subsconcious to shut up and leave me alone so I can carry on reading would be welcomed!
May 23, 2020
Book Events
One of the things I miss most as a writer at the moment is the ability to go to book events.
Much as I do deeply appreciate what is available online, and it is a lifeline, I miss going into libraries and bookshops.
I also miss going to author events and I look forward to being able to do all of these things again in due course.
The Waterloo Arts Festival is going to be online this year. I’ll be taking part in that as one of the winners of their writing competition and I made a video for this.
It was good fun to do but oh I shall miss meeting up in person with my fellow writers. (We will all miss the pub lunch beforehand too!).
But the good news is books can still be celebrated and they should be. Of all the times to need books for escapism, it is now, isn’t it?
Whatever you’re reading, I hope you have a wonderful time “between the covers” and, whoever it is you’re reading, do consider leaving a review in the usual places including here. It really does help.
Much as I do deeply appreciate what is available online, and it is a lifeline, I miss going into libraries and bookshops.
I also miss going to author events and I look forward to being able to do all of these things again in due course.
The Waterloo Arts Festival is going to be online this year. I’ll be taking part in that as one of the winners of their writing competition and I made a video for this.
It was good fun to do but oh I shall miss meeting up in person with my fellow writers. (We will all miss the pub lunch beforehand too!).
But the good news is books can still be celebrated and they should be. Of all the times to need books for escapism, it is now, isn’t it?
Whatever you’re reading, I hope you have a wonderful time “between the covers” and, whoever it is you’re reading, do consider leaving a review in the usual places including here. It really does help.
