Allison Symes's Blog, page 34
June 8, 2019
Ingesting Stories
Ingesting? Really? Yes and we all do so more often than you might think, as it's not just a conscious thing.
You hear snippets of conversation on a train and a writer's mind will want to fill in the gaps. I refuse to believe that is just me!
A reader's mind may well be reminded of stories they've read based on similar themes to what they've overheard. There will be something!
Ingesting stories can also be done via audio books/going to oral storytelling events and so on. We ourselves are stories and our lives reflect tales that have influenced us.
Look at what your favourite stories are and ask yourself why you picked these. It is the reason why these stories speak to your soul that is so fascinating.
Really great stories do reflect what we know of ourselves and humanity in general. We take in those stories with themes that fascinate us most.
The good thing then is to have a healthy reading diet. Stories take us to places we physically cannot go. This is especially true for science fiction and fantasy, but stories should feed our minds and open them.
So ingest plenty of tales (and the best non-fiction is a creative narrative too) and enjoy what's on the menu!
You hear snippets of conversation on a train and a writer's mind will want to fill in the gaps. I refuse to believe that is just me!
A reader's mind may well be reminded of stories they've read based on similar themes to what they've overheard. There will be something!
Ingesting stories can also be done via audio books/going to oral storytelling events and so on. We ourselves are stories and our lives reflect tales that have influenced us.
Look at what your favourite stories are and ask yourself why you picked these. It is the reason why these stories speak to your soul that is so fascinating.
Really great stories do reflect what we know of ourselves and humanity in general. We take in those stories with themes that fascinate us most.
The good thing then is to have a healthy reading diet. Stories take us to places we physically cannot go. This is especially true for science fiction and fantasy, but stories should feed our minds and open them.
So ingest plenty of tales (and the best non-fiction is a creative narrative too) and enjoy what's on the menu!
June 1, 2019
Mixing Up What You Read
I like to mix up what I read in several ways.
1. I mix up genre. I tend to read a crime book or two, then must move on to, say, fantasy for a book or two, before moving on again.
2. I mix up how I read. I have a "glut" of reading on the Kindle followed by a "glut" of reading printed books, then magazines etc. (The one thing I've not really "got" on the Kindle are e-magazines but I suspect I'll get around to them eventually).
3. I mix up reading novels, short stories, flash fiction, non-fiction. So for a while I will only read novels, then move on to short story collections for a while, then have a non-fiction feast etc.
4. I switch between books and magazines. I do love a good magazine.
All of this means I'm never short of something to read!
I think mixing things up is good for my old brain and I like to ensure I don't neglect any type of reading material I like. It would be too easy to "just" read books or magazines and neglect the other.
What would I wish for though?
More time to read, definitely.
1. I mix up genre. I tend to read a crime book or two, then must move on to, say, fantasy for a book or two, before moving on again.
2. I mix up how I read. I have a "glut" of reading on the Kindle followed by a "glut" of reading printed books, then magazines etc. (The one thing I've not really "got" on the Kindle are e-magazines but I suspect I'll get around to them eventually).
3. I mix up reading novels, short stories, flash fiction, non-fiction. So for a while I will only read novels, then move on to short story collections for a while, then have a non-fiction feast etc.
4. I switch between books and magazines. I do love a good magazine.
All of this means I'm never short of something to read!
I think mixing things up is good for my old brain and I like to ensure I don't neglect any type of reading material I like. It would be too easy to "just" read books or magazines and neglect the other.
What would I wish for though?
More time to read, definitely.
May 25, 2019
Story Collections
I have got a very soft spot for story collections for several reasons:-
1. My first real reading loves was the Reader's Digest Collection of Fairytales, which I still have.
2. You get a lovely mixture of tones and length of story in an anthlogy.
3. I've been published in such anthologies (and am due to be so again) so am not unbiased here!
4. If you're not sure what to read next novel wise, why not switch to short story collections for a while? I've found reading a collection makes a nice "refresher" before I pick which novel I'll read next. You also get to mix up your reading here (which I think is always a good thing as it can be a great way to discover authors new to you).
5. You can have collections on a single theme or genre so it is easy enough to go with what you fancy here.
6. You can support the indie presses who bring out such anthologies as these give more authors a voice (and readers more choice too).
7. It's my belief short stories and flash fiction can encourage reluctant readers to venture further into the wonderful world of books. You're not asking them to commit to too much at the start. Hopefully by the time they've finished a collection, they'll be hooked and will want to read more.
1. My first real reading loves was the Reader's Digest Collection of Fairytales, which I still have.
2. You get a lovely mixture of tones and length of story in an anthlogy.
3. I've been published in such anthologies (and am due to be so again) so am not unbiased here!
4. If you're not sure what to read next novel wise, why not switch to short story collections for a while? I've found reading a collection makes a nice "refresher" before I pick which novel I'll read next. You also get to mix up your reading here (which I think is always a good thing as it can be a great way to discover authors new to you).
5. You can have collections on a single theme or genre so it is easy enough to go with what you fancy here.
6. You can support the indie presses who bring out such anthologies as these give more authors a voice (and readers more choice too).
7. It's my belief short stories and flash fiction can encourage reluctant readers to venture further into the wonderful world of books. You're not asking them to commit to too much at the start. Hopefully by the time they've finished a collection, they'll be hooked and will want to read more.
May 18, 2019
What Do You Love Most About A Story?
My favourite part of any story is in the middle. The characters and situation are set up, the (usually) life versus death scenario is well under way, and it is a question of whether you can outguess the author as to the resolution.
I love it when I guess correctly but love it more when a writer wrongfoots me here. I then go back and re-read the story and inevitably find clues over the unexpected resolution that had been there. I just hadn't paid enough attention, which is an object lesson in itself!
Naturally, I can apply what I learn here to my own writing, but it is also no coincidence the stories I re-read are the ones that have kept me on my toes. There is just so much enjoyment to be had here.
The great thing with twist in the tail stories is the simpler the twist the better and more effective it is. Simple doesn't necessarily mean easy to guess at either, as it is easy to overlook or forget the "obvious".
I love it when I guess correctly but love it more when a writer wrongfoots me here. I then go back and re-read the story and inevitably find clues over the unexpected resolution that had been there. I just hadn't paid enough attention, which is an object lesson in itself!
Naturally, I can apply what I learn here to my own writing, but it is also no coincidence the stories I re-read are the ones that have kept me on my toes. There is just so much enjoyment to be had here.
The great thing with twist in the tail stories is the simpler the twist the better and more effective it is. Simple doesn't necessarily mean easy to guess at either, as it is easy to overlook or forget the "obvious".
May 11, 2019
Reading and Travelling
I was never able to read while on a car journey when I was a kid as it used to make me feel sick. Now it's not a problem and is one of the joys of a long journey.
It is also where the Kindle does come into its own. Not much to pack either, just don't forget the charger!
I catch up with reading, as well as draft stories, when travelling and have a lovely time doing so.
Do you remember the old I-Spy books? I used to love them but they were no good to me on a trip! I had to remember what I'd seen and fill my books in on getting home!
I don't pick specific holiday reading as I always have books to catch up on but the joy of holidays is having the time to do that.
Wherever you go this summer, happy reading!
It is also where the Kindle does come into its own. Not much to pack either, just don't forget the charger!
I catch up with reading, as well as draft stories, when travelling and have a lovely time doing so.
Do you remember the old I-Spy books? I used to love them but they were no good to me on a trip! I had to remember what I'd seen and fill my books in on getting home!
I don't pick specific holiday reading as I always have books to catch up on but the joy of holidays is having the time to do that.
Wherever you go this summer, happy reading!
May 4, 2019
The Dangers of Reading
Reading is wonderful but it can also be dangerous. Why?
1. Reading widely will open your mind and challenge thoughts and ideas. That is why in repressive regimes writers and journalists have been amongst the first to suffer. It's why I admire George Orwell. He got on the nerves of both the far left and far right! That's the way to do it...
2. Reading widely is often the trigger for creative writing. Once the bug bites you, it doesn't let go! The challenge of creating your own stories is a wonderful one. The challenge of trying to write better, whether it is for publication or not, makes you try to up your game. You WILL be stretched mentally and imaginatively. That is how it should be.
3. Reading across the genres will help you discover what you like and dislike or, more accurately, what you THINK you like and dislike. I'd never heard of flash fiction when I first started writing (and it wasn't around as a form when I started reading independently!). But in coming across the form and trying it in terms of reading it as well as writing it, I've discovered a love of the very short story form I never anticipated developing.
Where will your reading journey take you?
How will it surprise you and are you ready to be surprised?
Have fun finding out!
1. Reading widely will open your mind and challenge thoughts and ideas. That is why in repressive regimes writers and journalists have been amongst the first to suffer. It's why I admire George Orwell. He got on the nerves of both the far left and far right! That's the way to do it...
2. Reading widely is often the trigger for creative writing. Once the bug bites you, it doesn't let go! The challenge of creating your own stories is a wonderful one. The challenge of trying to write better, whether it is for publication or not, makes you try to up your game. You WILL be stretched mentally and imaginatively. That is how it should be.
3. Reading across the genres will help you discover what you like and dislike or, more accurately, what you THINK you like and dislike. I'd never heard of flash fiction when I first started writing (and it wasn't around as a form when I started reading independently!). But in coming across the form and trying it in terms of reading it as well as writing it, I've discovered a love of the very short story form I never anticipated developing.
Where will your reading journey take you?
How will it surprise you and are you ready to be surprised?
Have fun finding out!
April 27, 2019
Fads and Fancies
Do you find you have reading "fixes" you just have to indulge in for a while?
I find I read in cycles. There will be periods when all I will want to read are magazine articles. Other times I will want to read short stories. Then again I will have periods when it is nothing but crime I read and so on.
Equally there are times when nothing but "proper" books will do. Other times you can't prise me away from my Kindle!
Mood of story varies too. There are times I really have to read anything funny. This is particularly true when the news in unremittingly grim. The value of books and stories for escapism should not be under-appreciated or looked down on. Being able to escape for a while I think is good for you.
When I come out from that kind of reading, I tend to go for "nothing but the facts Ma'am" and I catch up with my non-fiction TBR pile.
There is ALWAYS a TBR pile. (I've got one on the Kindle too. The advantage with that one is it can't topple over!).
So what do I fancy reading later tonight then? Hmm... decisions, decisions (but such nice ones to make!).
I find I read in cycles. There will be periods when all I will want to read are magazine articles. Other times I will want to read short stories. Then again I will have periods when it is nothing but crime I read and so on.
Equally there are times when nothing but "proper" books will do. Other times you can't prise me away from my Kindle!
Mood of story varies too. There are times I really have to read anything funny. This is particularly true when the news in unremittingly grim. The value of books and stories for escapism should not be under-appreciated or looked down on. Being able to escape for a while I think is good for you.
When I come out from that kind of reading, I tend to go for "nothing but the facts Ma'am" and I catch up with my non-fiction TBR pile.
There is ALWAYS a TBR pile. (I've got one on the Kindle too. The advantage with that one is it can't topple over!).
So what do I fancy reading later tonight then? Hmm... decisions, decisions (but such nice ones to make!).
April 20, 2019
Beautiful Books
I love books in all their different forms, of course, but I do appreciate the art in a really good book cover.
Difficult to say what my favourite cover is but I must say I love the children's editions of the Harry Potter series and the original Discworld covers.
I don't get the tendency to produce plainer covers for "grown ups". Blow that. I want escapism in a good book and the cover has got to entice me in. A plain black or grey cover with sensible lettering just isn't going to do it for yours truly.
I also appreciate beautiful bindings. I inherited my late mother's collection of hardback Dickens (all in green with gold lettering) and they are a joy to look at. They are even more of a joy to read! I also have a fab Agatha Christie collection (red hardbacks with gold lettering). Great stories but my enjoyment is enhanced when I can appreciate the physicality of a book. (This is where the Kindle DOES lose out to "proper" books).
At the end of the day, it is the story which matters most of all, naturally. But I'm all for getting as much enjoyment out of a book as possible and beautiful covers and production standards can make books very special indeed.
Difficult to say what my favourite cover is but I must say I love the children's editions of the Harry Potter series and the original Discworld covers.
I don't get the tendency to produce plainer covers for "grown ups". Blow that. I want escapism in a good book and the cover has got to entice me in. A plain black or grey cover with sensible lettering just isn't going to do it for yours truly.
I also appreciate beautiful bindings. I inherited my late mother's collection of hardback Dickens (all in green with gold lettering) and they are a joy to look at. They are even more of a joy to read! I also have a fab Agatha Christie collection (red hardbacks with gold lettering). Great stories but my enjoyment is enhanced when I can appreciate the physicality of a book. (This is where the Kindle DOES lose out to "proper" books).
At the end of the day, it is the story which matters most of all, naturally. But I'm all for getting as much enjoyment out of a book as possible and beautiful covers and production standards can make books very special indeed.
April 13, 2019
Playing with Genre
With my flash fiction, I like to play with genre a lot. As flash fiction has to be character led due to the strict word count, I can have great fun putting that character wherever and whenever I want. I've written fantasy flash fiction, historical flash fiction, crime flash fiction etc as a result.
I've read excellent collections by other authors too. Some focus on one genre. The Great War by Dawn Kentish Knox is a great example of a themed historical flash fiction collection. Do check it out. The characterisation is very moving.
But it is not just in the flash and short story form that genre can be played with, far from it.
I love the crossover novel. It blends the best of the two (usually) genres it is mixing and gives something unique to the reader as a result. A good example to check out here is Jennifer C Wilson's Kindred Spirits series which crosses ghost stories with historical fiction. Great mix!
I think readers are much more flexible over this than writers/publishers realise at times. I know what I like when I read it even if I can't categorise it! And while categories ARE important, I don't think they're meant to be straitjackets either.
Have fun with your reading/writing and mix those genres!
I've read excellent collections by other authors too. Some focus on one genre. The Great War by Dawn Kentish Knox is a great example of a themed historical flash fiction collection. Do check it out. The characterisation is very moving.
But it is not just in the flash and short story form that genre can be played with, far from it.
I love the crossover novel. It blends the best of the two (usually) genres it is mixing and gives something unique to the reader as a result. A good example to check out here is Jennifer C Wilson's Kindred Spirits series which crosses ghost stories with historical fiction. Great mix!
I think readers are much more flexible over this than writers/publishers realise at times. I know what I like when I read it even if I can't categorise it! And while categories ARE important, I don't think they're meant to be straitjackets either.
Have fun with your reading/writing and mix those genres!
April 6, 2019
Encouraging Books
Yes, this could mean the self-help books and there is much to be said for those, but for me an encouraging book is one that makes me read further into the subject. This can apply to fiction as well as non-fiction.
For example, Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time is fiction based on Richard III and is one of my all time favourite books. It has also led me to read far more about Richard such as The Maligned King, The Last Days of Richard III and others.
For non-fiction, it is easier to go by topic of course when looking for books to encourage further reading.
For fiction, it is nearly always based on how well the main character comes across and the theme of their story that makes me look for similar themes in other tales.
When the character is based on a real person, and if the story has gripped me enough, I nearly always look up non-fiction material on that character as I did with Richard III.
And there is scope for a lot of crossover - fiction leading into non-fiction and vice versa. Book reading leading into magazine reading etc.
I don't write historical fiction (though I do read some) but I should imagine one of the great joys of it is the research the writer has to do before starting. I should also imagine the big problem here, and one I know I'd have, is stopping the research and actually getting on with the writing!
So what books have encouraged you to read more on their character/theme etc?
For example, Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time is fiction based on Richard III and is one of my all time favourite books. It has also led me to read far more about Richard such as The Maligned King, The Last Days of Richard III and others.
For non-fiction, it is easier to go by topic of course when looking for books to encourage further reading.
For fiction, it is nearly always based on how well the main character comes across and the theme of their story that makes me look for similar themes in other tales.
When the character is based on a real person, and if the story has gripped me enough, I nearly always look up non-fiction material on that character as I did with Richard III.
And there is scope for a lot of crossover - fiction leading into non-fiction and vice versa. Book reading leading into magazine reading etc.
I don't write historical fiction (though I do read some) but I should imagine one of the great joys of it is the research the writer has to do before starting. I should also imagine the big problem here, and one I know I'd have, is stopping the research and actually getting on with the writing!
So what books have encouraged you to read more on their character/theme etc?
