Allison Symes's Blog, page 29
May 16, 2020
What I Look For In A Good Book
Regardless of genre, what I look for first in a good book is a gripping lead character. I don't necessarily have to like them (!) but I do need to be intrigued by them enough to make me want to read their story.
This applies to non-fiction too if you accept the "narrative voice" of the text is a kind of character too. Does that voice grip me enough to keep on reading or does it send me to sleep? (Never a good sign that!).
Once I've finished the book, is it going to be one of those I enjoyed reading but won't read again? Or will it reach the dizzy heights of being one of those absolute favourites I happily turn to time and again when I need them back in my life for a bit?
I don't know about you but I do like light reading anyway and I especially like it now. I am not going to be reading the doom and gloom merchants (I can get that from watching the news).
I know the reality of what is out there but it doesn't mean I have to read about it.
My reading is about entertainment and escapism and those things shouldn't be despised.
So my criteria for what is a good book does boil down to its entertainment value and that is down to the character portrayal.
This applies to non-fiction too if you accept the "narrative voice" of the text is a kind of character too. Does that voice grip me enough to keep on reading or does it send me to sleep? (Never a good sign that!).
Once I've finished the book, is it going to be one of those I enjoyed reading but won't read again? Or will it reach the dizzy heights of being one of those absolute favourites I happily turn to time and again when I need them back in my life for a bit?
I don't know about you but I do like light reading anyway and I especially like it now. I am not going to be reading the doom and gloom merchants (I can get that from watching the news).
I know the reality of what is out there but it doesn't mean I have to read about it.
My reading is about entertainment and escapism and those things shouldn't be despised.
So my criteria for what is a good book does boil down to its entertainment value and that is down to the character portrayal.
May 9, 2020
Reading Debts
Do you remember how you developed a love of reading?
I remember being read to regularly when I was a child and my late mother taught me to read before I started school back in the 1970s. She was told off for doing it too. Apparently she’d done it the wrong way! (These days I think she’d be given a medal!).
Not that I felt anything was amiss. I owe Mum a huge debt for giving me a love of books and stories and I’m sure she’d be pleased with the end results for yours truly.
I also spent a lot of time in local libraries in my teenage years. They were a great place to go for someone who loves books, who didn’t have any money, and it was a great way to explore genres and authors which were not represented on the book shelves at home.
Mind you, that was a tough call. Mum had almost everything on her shelves from science fiction (H.G.Wells) to thrillers (Ian Fleming) to classic (Dickens and Shakespeare).
Her one blind spot was humorous prose. It completely bypassed her so on my shelves are works by Terry Pratchett and P.G. Wodehouse. It was a kind of joke amongst us that Mum would read Terry Brooks (The Shannara series) while I’d read Terry Pratchett (Discworld)!
The best way of repaying any reading debt is, of course, to read and keep reading! So on that note…
I remember being read to regularly when I was a child and my late mother taught me to read before I started school back in the 1970s. She was told off for doing it too. Apparently she’d done it the wrong way! (These days I think she’d be given a medal!).
Not that I felt anything was amiss. I owe Mum a huge debt for giving me a love of books and stories and I’m sure she’d be pleased with the end results for yours truly.
I also spent a lot of time in local libraries in my teenage years. They were a great place to go for someone who loves books, who didn’t have any money, and it was a great way to explore genres and authors which were not represented on the book shelves at home.
Mind you, that was a tough call. Mum had almost everything on her shelves from science fiction (H.G.Wells) to thrillers (Ian Fleming) to classic (Dickens and Shakespeare).
Her one blind spot was humorous prose. It completely bypassed her so on my shelves are works by Terry Pratchett and P.G. Wodehouse. It was a kind of joke amongst us that Mum would read Terry Brooks (The Shannara series) while I’d read Terry Pratchett (Discworld)!
The best way of repaying any reading debt is, of course, to read and keep reading! So on that note…
May 2, 2020
Paperback, Hardback, or E-book?
For me, it is all three of course, as I’m sure it is for you.
If I did have to pick one, it would have to be the paperback. I remember the joy, when I was younger, of being able to buy two paperbacks for the price of one hardback and being the book lover that I am, this appealed a lot. (Frankly, it still does!).
I must admit I didn’t rush out to buy a Kindle when they came on to the scene but would not want to be without one now.
It is useful for whenever I’m away and features such as being able to increase font size and bookmark your place are useful. (No more worrying what books to pack either any more. I can take everything I want with me electronically!).
Having said all of that, the hardback is special. It really does feel like a “proper” book. I prefer those with jackets. There is some great artwork on those. My favourites are probably the Josh Kirby covers for Terry Pratchett’s Discworld canon.
Favourite paperback? Hmm… so hard to pick but The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey merits a mention as it is the only novel I’ve ever read which changed my mind about someone (and in this case Richard III).
The Lord of the Ring trilogy merits a special mention too (and yes it is a very heavy paperback!).
Favourite hardback? Hmm… Probably Wodehouse: A Life in Letters. A wonderful book.
Favourite ebook? Hmm… this one is tricky because I have so many wonderful novels and story collections on there amongst others but I think mention must go to Operation Zigzag by Ben Macintyre. I love history in all its forms but this combines non-fiction with a wonderful storytelling technique. Love it.
Whatever you read, I hope this strange period in our collective history might lead to more reading being done.
If I did have to pick one, it would have to be the paperback. I remember the joy, when I was younger, of being able to buy two paperbacks for the price of one hardback and being the book lover that I am, this appealed a lot. (Frankly, it still does!).
I must admit I didn’t rush out to buy a Kindle when they came on to the scene but would not want to be without one now.
It is useful for whenever I’m away and features such as being able to increase font size and bookmark your place are useful. (No more worrying what books to pack either any more. I can take everything I want with me electronically!).
Having said all of that, the hardback is special. It really does feel like a “proper” book. I prefer those with jackets. There is some great artwork on those. My favourites are probably the Josh Kirby covers for Terry Pratchett’s Discworld canon.
Favourite paperback? Hmm… so hard to pick but The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey merits a mention as it is the only novel I’ve ever read which changed my mind about someone (and in this case Richard III).
The Lord of the Ring trilogy merits a special mention too (and yes it is a very heavy paperback!).
Favourite hardback? Hmm… Probably Wodehouse: A Life in Letters. A wonderful book.
Favourite ebook? Hmm… this one is tricky because I have so many wonderful novels and story collections on there amongst others but I think mention must go to Operation Zigzag by Ben Macintyre. I love history in all its forms but this combines non-fiction with a wonderful storytelling technique. Love it.
Whatever you read, I hope this strange period in our collective history might lead to more reading being done.
April 25, 2020
Books For Difficult Times
Have your reading choices changed during this difficult period?
I must admit I’m not really in the mood for any kind of dystopian story when we seem to be living right in one!
For me, I’m reading short story collections, non-fiction on writing, and lighter works. I don’t need the “heavy” books in terms of mood right now.
One of the roles of a book, for me, is to provide entertainment, escapism, and uplift. So especially in difficult times, I don’t want difficult books to stretch me. I need to be in the right frame of mind for that.
I have found I’ve not had any problems writing stories during the lockdown. I have struggled to read. I can only assume my subconscious is fine with one creative activity but not more than that!
This is a pain but I know it will pass. If I become particularly tired, I find the same happens. When I am more rested, I’m away with reading again.
Have you found the desire to read increases or decreases with your mood? What do you do to overcome that?
For comfort reading, and there is a good role for that at the moment, I have to turn to cosy crime, short stories by Wodehouse, and usually favourite books I’ve read many times. I want the comfort of familiar material. Once I’m feeling better, then that is the time to try something new.
I must admit I’m not really in the mood for any kind of dystopian story when we seem to be living right in one!
For me, I’m reading short story collections, non-fiction on writing, and lighter works. I don’t need the “heavy” books in terms of mood right now.
One of the roles of a book, for me, is to provide entertainment, escapism, and uplift. So especially in difficult times, I don’t want difficult books to stretch me. I need to be in the right frame of mind for that.
I have found I’ve not had any problems writing stories during the lockdown. I have struggled to read. I can only assume my subconscious is fine with one creative activity but not more than that!
This is a pain but I know it will pass. If I become particularly tired, I find the same happens. When I am more rested, I’m away with reading again.
Have you found the desire to read increases or decreases with your mood? What do you do to overcome that?
For comfort reading, and there is a good role for that at the moment, I have to turn to cosy crime, short stories by Wodehouse, and usually favourite books I’ve read many times. I want the comfort of familiar material. Once I’m feeling better, then that is the time to try something new.
April 18, 2020
Lists
Do you make a list of books for gift ideas to share with family and friends as hints for birthdays, Christmas etc? I do. There is always a list to be made!
But I also like to list traits in characters I admire and work out how I can use something similar when I create my own characters.
One of the great joys of reading from a writer’s viewpoint is you learn so much from other authors and you can use that to strengthen your own writing. You also get to see how dialogue is set out and so on.
It is vital to read a good mixture of material though from comtemporary to classic and non-fiction should be included too. The more you read, the wider the net of potential ideas.
You read a wonderful story or piece of non-fiction writing and that can inspire you to wonder well how would I have tackled this topic. What take would I have taken on it?
Of course lists lead to incredible To Be Read piles, both physically and in electronic form, but that’s a nice problem to have!
Another fun list would be to create an inventory of places connected with books you would like to visit once the lockdown is over. On my wish list here would be the British Library and Gladstone’s Library to name but two.
How about thinking of books to take with you on a retreat? My list there would have to include something by Austen, Pratchett, and Wodehouse, and naturally I would be taking the Kindle for this. (The saving in weight and luggage space would be considerable though the main thing would be to not forget to take the charger for it).
Then there’s the list of books your friends have told you about that you haven’t got around to reading yet. That too can be a formidable list.
But lists involving books are fun! Just relishing the possibility of reading all of those lovely books is wonderful. Getting to do so is even better. And now back to my TBR list I think!
But I also like to list traits in characters I admire and work out how I can use something similar when I create my own characters.
One of the great joys of reading from a writer’s viewpoint is you learn so much from other authors and you can use that to strengthen your own writing. You also get to see how dialogue is set out and so on.
It is vital to read a good mixture of material though from comtemporary to classic and non-fiction should be included too. The more you read, the wider the net of potential ideas.
You read a wonderful story or piece of non-fiction writing and that can inspire you to wonder well how would I have tackled this topic. What take would I have taken on it?
Of course lists lead to incredible To Be Read piles, both physically and in electronic form, but that’s a nice problem to have!
Another fun list would be to create an inventory of places connected with books you would like to visit once the lockdown is over. On my wish list here would be the British Library and Gladstone’s Library to name but two.
How about thinking of books to take with you on a retreat? My list there would have to include something by Austen, Pratchett, and Wodehouse, and naturally I would be taking the Kindle for this. (The saving in weight and luggage space would be considerable though the main thing would be to not forget to take the charger for it).
Then there’s the list of books your friends have told you about that you haven’t got around to reading yet. That too can be a formidable list.
But lists involving books are fun! Just relishing the possibility of reading all of those lovely books is wonderful. Getting to do so is even better. And now back to my TBR list I think!
April 11, 2020
Entertainment and Escapism
I can understand why, after the coronavirus is over, there will be lots of books and stories dealing with that topic. It's just I can't bring myself to write stories like that. I'm not sure about reading them either. Why?
For me, in times of trouble, I want books and stories to make me laugh and give me some escapism for a while. I don't think that should be undervalued.
I raise a hearty three cheers for all who, by writing, seek to entertain and amuse us. It is not an easy thing to do.
So I shall continue to look for escapism and entertainment. Those can be very good coping mechanisms and books and stories are great vehicles for delivering on those things.
I do hope and pray though that the bookshops, particularly the independents, will recover well from this. I hope online buying of books has proved to be a lifeline.
The one thing that is clear to me is people still want stories. And I doubt if I'm the only one who wants entertaining right now!
For me, in times of trouble, I want books and stories to make me laugh and give me some escapism for a while. I don't think that should be undervalued.
I raise a hearty three cheers for all who, by writing, seek to entertain and amuse us. It is not an easy thing to do.
So I shall continue to look for escapism and entertainment. Those can be very good coping mechanisms and books and stories are great vehicles for delivering on those things.
I do hope and pray though that the bookshops, particularly the independents, will recover well from this. I hope online buying of books has proved to be a lifeline.
The one thing that is clear to me is people still want stories. And I doubt if I'm the only one who wants entertaining right now!
April 4, 2020
Titles - What Is It About Them That You Like Most?
What is it about a book title that encourages you to look inside the book itself?
I like titles (of stories, books or what have you) to give me some idea of the mood of the story and, where possible, its genre too.
My next flash fiction book will be called Tripping the Flash Fantastic which I think manages to do both. From Light to Dark and Back Again, my first flash collection, was specifically chosen to reflect the mood of the stories and the range of moods for the collection as a whole.
I like titles that sum up the book’s contents well. You can’t misunderstand The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection can you?! (Fabulous book too. Conan Doyle was a genius and I’m sure we owe the concept of the flawed detective to him. Certainly he can take the credit for popularising it at least. Holmes’ drug addiction would still be controversial now. As an aside, I wonder if that is why Conan Doyle chose that, believing drug use would never be uncontroversial. Just a thought).
For my flash fiction stories, especially for those competitions and markets where the title is included in the word count, I like to keep titles short. I’m also fond of alliteration every now and again. Well, let’s face it Pride and Prejudice is a much more memorable title than Jane Austen’s first idea, First Impressions. (To be fair that would’ve worked. It’s not a bad title. It is a question, I think, of working out what is better for your work and she certainly did that).
Some of my favourite book titles include:-
The Lord of The Rings. Doesn’t that make you want to find out who the Lord is and why the Rings matter?
Interesting Times (Pratchett). Again, doesn’t that make you want to discover what the interesting times are and who they are happening to?
Murder on the Orient Express. My favourite Christie novel for many reasons but the title is an instant attention grabber.
It is the book title that makes me want to read the book’s blurb and, from there, the opening paragraph or two.
Yes, a good cover will catch my eye and it is important but if the title intrigues me, then even if the cover isn’t as good as it could be, I’ll try the book.
I like titles (of stories, books or what have you) to give me some idea of the mood of the story and, where possible, its genre too.
My next flash fiction book will be called Tripping the Flash Fantastic which I think manages to do both. From Light to Dark and Back Again, my first flash collection, was specifically chosen to reflect the mood of the stories and the range of moods for the collection as a whole.
I like titles that sum up the book’s contents well. You can’t misunderstand The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection can you?! (Fabulous book too. Conan Doyle was a genius and I’m sure we owe the concept of the flawed detective to him. Certainly he can take the credit for popularising it at least. Holmes’ drug addiction would still be controversial now. As an aside, I wonder if that is why Conan Doyle chose that, believing drug use would never be uncontroversial. Just a thought).
For my flash fiction stories, especially for those competitions and markets where the title is included in the word count, I like to keep titles short. I’m also fond of alliteration every now and again. Well, let’s face it Pride and Prejudice is a much more memorable title than Jane Austen’s first idea, First Impressions. (To be fair that would’ve worked. It’s not a bad title. It is a question, I think, of working out what is better for your work and she certainly did that).
Some of my favourite book titles include:-
The Lord of The Rings. Doesn’t that make you want to find out who the Lord is and why the Rings matter?
Interesting Times (Pratchett). Again, doesn’t that make you want to discover what the interesting times are and who they are happening to?
Murder on the Orient Express. My favourite Christie novel for many reasons but the title is an instant attention grabber.
It is the book title that makes me want to read the book’s blurb and, from there, the opening paragraph or two.
Yes, a good cover will catch my eye and it is important but if the title intrigues me, then even if the cover isn’t as good as it could be, I’ll try the book.
March 28, 2020
What Is It About Reading You Love Most?
Hmm… could write chapter and verse on this one. I mean, where do you start? But here goes:-
My great love is characterisation so the success of a book to me is dependent on how well the characters appeal to me.
To be honest, much as I love Jane Austen, I’m not keen on Mansfield Park. I much prefer the more rounded Austen heroines in Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Persuasion etc.
My second great love here is when the book makes me forget time and the world around me because I’m too engrossed in the world of the story. Now that is an undisputable sign of a great story.
I love it when reading shows me worlds I have not known, including right here on Planet Earth. Good non-fiction comes into its own here.
I love it when I discover new genres. I’ve always loved fairytales and still do, but finding the wonderful worlds of well written historical fiction, crime stories etc., has been fantastic.
I love following the development of characters in series novels. It is like catching up with old friends when you come across them in Book 2 etc and discover in this one they’ve married someone they weren’t dating in Book 1! (You’ve got to find out why, right?).
And, like so many writers, I’ve got a soft spot for quietly overhearing conversations (well, you never know when you’ll hear something interesting that could spark an idea for a story of your own!), reading dialogue in fiction is exactly like that.
Reading helps me unwind, entertains me, informs me - what is there not to like?!
My great love is characterisation so the success of a book to me is dependent on how well the characters appeal to me.
To be honest, much as I love Jane Austen, I’m not keen on Mansfield Park. I much prefer the more rounded Austen heroines in Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Persuasion etc.
My second great love here is when the book makes me forget time and the world around me because I’m too engrossed in the world of the story. Now that is an undisputable sign of a great story.
I love it when reading shows me worlds I have not known, including right here on Planet Earth. Good non-fiction comes into its own here.
I love it when I discover new genres. I’ve always loved fairytales and still do, but finding the wonderful worlds of well written historical fiction, crime stories etc., has been fantastic.
I love following the development of characters in series novels. It is like catching up with old friends when you come across them in Book 2 etc and discover in this one they’ve married someone they weren’t dating in Book 1! (You’ve got to find out why, right?).
And, like so many writers, I’ve got a soft spot for quietly overhearing conversations (well, you never know when you’ll hear something interesting that could spark an idea for a story of your own!), reading dialogue in fiction is exactly like that.
Reading helps me unwind, entertains me, informs me - what is there not to like?!
March 21, 2020
Comfort Books
When times are tough, or your own situation is going through a difficult patch, what books do you turn to for some comfort and cheer?
Do you look to escape for a while via the printed word or does that aspect not matter as long as you're reading?
I tend to turn to humour and this is where the wonderful books of P.G. Wodehouse and Terry Pratchett in particular come to the fore for me.
All of their work is capable of withstanding multiple re-readings and I usually pick up on gags, in-jokes etc., that I missed before. (I just do! I also don't believe I'm alone in that).
After humour, I turn to crime - reading wise that is! I adore Agatha Christie but I enjoy contemporary crime too. (See Wendy H Jones and Val Penny for more on these, especially if you like your stories set in Scotland).
After crime I turn to history and that can be a mixture of fiction and non-fiction. I've enjoyed Jennifer C. Wilson's Kindred Spirits series here as that combines a very different take on history with ghost stories.
By this stage, I'm usually looking for some non-fiction to get my reading "teeth" into and then I'm back to the funny works again.
Above all, I have a fabulous time doing all of this!
Whatever you read, especially now, enjoy. Take care, keep well, be kind, and God bless.
Do you look to escape for a while via the printed word or does that aspect not matter as long as you're reading?
I tend to turn to humour and this is where the wonderful books of P.G. Wodehouse and Terry Pratchett in particular come to the fore for me.
All of their work is capable of withstanding multiple re-readings and I usually pick up on gags, in-jokes etc., that I missed before. (I just do! I also don't believe I'm alone in that).
After humour, I turn to crime - reading wise that is! I adore Agatha Christie but I enjoy contemporary crime too. (See Wendy H Jones and Val Penny for more on these, especially if you like your stories set in Scotland).
After crime I turn to history and that can be a mixture of fiction and non-fiction. I've enjoyed Jennifer C. Wilson's Kindred Spirits series here as that combines a very different take on history with ghost stories.
By this stage, I'm usually looking for some non-fiction to get my reading "teeth" into and then I'm back to the funny works again.
Above all, I have a fabulous time doing all of this!
Whatever you read, especially now, enjoy. Take care, keep well, be kind, and God bless.
March 14, 2020
Are Books The Best Invention Ever?
Daft question time, I can hear you say in response to this blog title! And you’d be right.
Of course books are the best invention ever but… well, without literacy and encouraging people to read, those wonderful books we all love are left literally on the shelf, aren’t they?
How do we get people to read who don’t currently do so? I wish I knew the answer to that.
All you can do as a writer is put your works out there, spread the word about them (and this is where supportive writing friends are brilliant), and hope people will take a look between your covers (ooh…err…. Missus), whether they’re electronic covers or the lovely paperback variety.
I have wondered whether people have lost confidence in reading. You know they finish reading at school and then that’s it. They’re not reading another thing. They’ll get their stories via film, TV, audio even, but not from the printed page.
This is why I think supporting children’s authors is so important. They play a vital role in developing a future reading audience and keeping that love of books going. (And I still like reading YA, even though it has been a long time indeed since I qualified!).
I loved the James Garner Support Your Local Sheriff type films. We need at least three more. Support Your Local Children’s Author. Support Your Local Writers. Support Your Local Libraries.
Of course books are the best invention ever but… well, without literacy and encouraging people to read, those wonderful books we all love are left literally on the shelf, aren’t they?
How do we get people to read who don’t currently do so? I wish I knew the answer to that.
All you can do as a writer is put your works out there, spread the word about them (and this is where supportive writing friends are brilliant), and hope people will take a look between your covers (ooh…err…. Missus), whether they’re electronic covers or the lovely paperback variety.
I have wondered whether people have lost confidence in reading. You know they finish reading at school and then that’s it. They’re not reading another thing. They’ll get their stories via film, TV, audio even, but not from the printed page.
This is why I think supporting children’s authors is so important. They play a vital role in developing a future reading audience and keeping that love of books going. (And I still like reading YA, even though it has been a long time indeed since I qualified!).
I loved the James Garner Support Your Local Sheriff type films. We need at least three more. Support Your Local Children’s Author. Support Your Local Writers. Support Your Local Libraries.
