Allison Symes's Blog, page 35
March 30, 2019
Titles
How important is a story title to you?
I have mixed feelings on this one. With my reader's hat on, a good title will draw me in but it generally isn't what makes me buy the book. That is down to whether I like the blurb and opening paragraph.
Sometimes it's down to whether I've read the author before and know I am likely to enjoy the new one (though I always check the blurb and opening paragraph out.).
With my writer's hat on, I'm looking for titles which will convey the mood of my story and draw readers in. This is particularly useful for my genre, flash fiction, where every word has to "punch its weight". A good title here can save a lot of words in the overall count and let your readers know what to expect.
When writing, I usually start with the title as I need a peg to hang the story from but I have changed titles as and when I need to, given sometimes a better one comes to me as I write. I just need a starting point.
When reading, if a title is really good, by the end of the story it will be apparent as to how well it suits the tale. You won't be able to imagine a better or different one. When a writer feels like that about their title, they've got the job done!
Oh and this applies to non-fiction books and articles just as much as fiction.
I have mixed feelings on this one. With my reader's hat on, a good title will draw me in but it generally isn't what makes me buy the book. That is down to whether I like the blurb and opening paragraph.
Sometimes it's down to whether I've read the author before and know I am likely to enjoy the new one (though I always check the blurb and opening paragraph out.).
With my writer's hat on, I'm looking for titles which will convey the mood of my story and draw readers in. This is particularly useful for my genre, flash fiction, where every word has to "punch its weight". A good title here can save a lot of words in the overall count and let your readers know what to expect.
When writing, I usually start with the title as I need a peg to hang the story from but I have changed titles as and when I need to, given sometimes a better one comes to me as I write. I just need a starting point.
When reading, if a title is really good, by the end of the story it will be apparent as to how well it suits the tale. You won't be able to imagine a better or different one. When a writer feels like that about their title, they've got the job done!
Oh and this applies to non-fiction books and articles just as much as fiction.
March 23, 2019
Books to Dip Into
I love books you read straight through from cover to cover but I also adore those where you dip into them as and when.
Things like the Guinness Book of Records come into that category. I'm currently reading a "big book of facts" produced by Classic FM but will almost certainly have regular dips into this, rather than read it straight though. (To be fair it is a HUGE book).
I also like the way this mixes up my reading a bit as I read flash fiction (as well as write it), short stories, and novels. I also dip read. Dip reading is also useful when I've finished a book and am not quite sure what I'm going to read next.
I often fancy a change of mood after completing a novel and until I know what is next on my reading "menu", I will dip into books like this until such time as I do know.
But the important thing is I keep reading!
Things like the Guinness Book of Records come into that category. I'm currently reading a "big book of facts" produced by Classic FM but will almost certainly have regular dips into this, rather than read it straight though. (To be fair it is a HUGE book).
I also like the way this mixes up my reading a bit as I read flash fiction (as well as write it), short stories, and novels. I also dip read. Dip reading is also useful when I've finished a book and am not quite sure what I'm going to read next.
I often fancy a change of mood after completing a novel and until I know what is next on my reading "menu", I will dip into books like this until such time as I do know.
But the important thing is I keep reading!
March 16, 2019
The Role of Books/Stories
What is the role of books/stories?
For me, the primary role is to entertain and provide some escapism, especially when life is being particularly grim.
A good book will take you into its world and for a while that gives you a breathing space. Somewhere to just be for a bit before facing reality again. The benefits of that can't be overstated.
I can understand real life stories and misery memoirs. I hope the writers found the writing of these to be enormously beneficial but this material is not something I can read.
I either want to escape into another world completely (via fairytales, The Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Discworld etc) OR, when I want to get my teeth into non-fiction, I want some good solid history. I love history when it is told as a story (which is why I adore Simon Schama's History of Britain series).
A good story, and this includes non-fiction told as a tale, should have a point to it but I'd like to bang the drum for stories "just" being entertaining. To me there's no "just" about it. A story doesn't have to be "worthy" to be of benefit.
A story does just have to live up to the promise of its opening lines. And that's challenging enough!
For me, the primary role is to entertain and provide some escapism, especially when life is being particularly grim.
A good book will take you into its world and for a while that gives you a breathing space. Somewhere to just be for a bit before facing reality again. The benefits of that can't be overstated.
I can understand real life stories and misery memoirs. I hope the writers found the writing of these to be enormously beneficial but this material is not something I can read.
I either want to escape into another world completely (via fairytales, The Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Discworld etc) OR, when I want to get my teeth into non-fiction, I want some good solid history. I love history when it is told as a story (which is why I adore Simon Schama's History of Britain series).
A good story, and this includes non-fiction told as a tale, should have a point to it but I'd like to bang the drum for stories "just" being entertaining. To me there's no "just" about it. A story doesn't have to be "worthy" to be of benefit.
A story does just have to live up to the promise of its opening lines. And that's challenging enough!
March 10, 2019
When Do You Read?
Apologies for being a day late. Had a wonderful time at the Association of Christian Writers' Day in Bath yesterday. I was too "buzzed out" to write much yesterday though I did write flash fiction and some notes for a blog post on a phone app while on the train!
I did, however, give myself plenty of time to read in bed last night. I indulged in magazines, books, and the Kindle. It was the perfect way to wind down after a busy but most enjoyable day.
I never feel as if the day has ended properly without my bedtime read. The only time I really get to read outside of that time is usually when I'm on holiday. Even on train trips I want to spend that time writing though it was good to see there were books in evidence on the train. Let nobody tell you the paperback is dead! It isn't!
I would love to find a way of being able to read more in the day but I just know I'd be too conscious of all the other things I should be doing to allow myself to enjoy that read properly. So maybe at the end of the day is the best time to read after all.
I did, however, give myself plenty of time to read in bed last night. I indulged in magazines, books, and the Kindle. It was the perfect way to wind down after a busy but most enjoyable day.
I never feel as if the day has ended properly without my bedtime read. The only time I really get to read outside of that time is usually when I'm on holiday. Even on train trips I want to spend that time writing though it was good to see there were books in evidence on the train. Let nobody tell you the paperback is dead! It isn't!
I would love to find a way of being able to read more in the day but I just know I'd be too conscious of all the other things I should be doing to allow myself to enjoy that read properly. So maybe at the end of the day is the best time to read after all.
March 2, 2019
Saturday Night Is Alright for Reading
As is every other day of the week, of course! I thought of this title (and by default Elton John's hit Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting) because I recall Saturday night being THE night for TV viewing.
There would be something good on everyone would want to watch and, especially in the days before VCR, you'd have to catch the programme live or hope for a repeat.
I was reminded of that this week with the news of the sad passing of Andre Previn aka Andrew Preview on the Morecambe and Wise Show.
So given I think that kind of Saturday night viewing is a thing of the past, perhaps making it the Big Read Night is not such a bad thought.
It does surprise me a bit, given how many great novels and short stories there are out there, that more are not adapted for TV. I would love to see the Discworld novels brought to the small screen. The Vimes/Watch novels would work particularly well. And it would be very original material too!
So back to the books for entertainment then. That's not a bad thing!
There would be something good on everyone would want to watch and, especially in the days before VCR, you'd have to catch the programme live or hope for a repeat.
I was reminded of that this week with the news of the sad passing of Andre Previn aka Andrew Preview on the Morecambe and Wise Show.
So given I think that kind of Saturday night viewing is a thing of the past, perhaps making it the Big Read Night is not such a bad thought.
It does surprise me a bit, given how many great novels and short stories there are out there, that more are not adapted for TV. I would love to see the Discworld novels brought to the small screen. The Vimes/Watch novels would work particularly well. And it would be very original material too!
So back to the books for entertainment then. That's not a bad thing!
February 23, 2019
Short Stories and Flash Fiction
I'm glad to see the return of short stories and the development of flash fiction for many reasons. One of these is that I write both so I won't pretend to be unbiased here. But the major reason for loving this development is it expands the kind of reading available.
I love novels but it is great being able to read a collection of short stories or flash fiction after finishing one full length tome. It mixes up what I read. By the time I've finished reading an anthology I'm raring to get on with a novel again!
Also if the novel has been a dark one in terms of mood, there's nothing like a collection of funny short stories to show the opposite side of life and I, for one, find that helpful. I don't want to read "dark" all the time. I also know life isn't always one big laugh so I like to have a balance of dark and light in my reading, as well as my own writing.
I love novels but it is great being able to read a collection of short stories or flash fiction after finishing one full length tome. It mixes up what I read. By the time I've finished reading an anthology I'm raring to get on with a novel again!
Also if the novel has been a dark one in terms of mood, there's nothing like a collection of funny short stories to show the opposite side of life and I, for one, find that helpful. I don't want to read "dark" all the time. I also know life isn't always one big laugh so I like to have a balance of dark and light in my reading, as well as my own writing.
February 16, 2019
Hooks into Books
I seem to have a "thing" for rhyming titles at the moment. Sure it will be a passing fad...!
What attracts you to a book? Is it the title, the blurb, the cover, or a combination of the lot?
For me, the cover draws me in but the blurb is what clinches a sale for me, whether I'm reading on Kindle or a paperback. If I like the premise of the blurb, I will "look inside" a Kindle book or look at the opening page of a paperback. If it seems to deliver, I'll go ahead and buy.
There is no such thing as a foolproof system but this works for me!
Of course, another great hook is reading a book by an author whose works you know you like. I love series novels and my favourite of these has to be Discworld. Each book original and entertaining but there's enough familiarity with the world to make you feel right at home as you continue to enjoy the series.
Whatever you read, enjoy!
What attracts you to a book? Is it the title, the blurb, the cover, or a combination of the lot?
For me, the cover draws me in but the blurb is what clinches a sale for me, whether I'm reading on Kindle or a paperback. If I like the premise of the blurb, I will "look inside" a Kindle book or look at the opening page of a paperback. If it seems to deliver, I'll go ahead and buy.
There is no such thing as a foolproof system but this works for me!
Of course, another great hook is reading a book by an author whose works you know you like. I love series novels and my favourite of these has to be Discworld. Each book original and entertaining but there's enough familiarity with the world to make you feel right at home as you continue to enjoy the series.
Whatever you read, enjoy!
February 9, 2019
Picture Books and Other Hooks
I don't believe in wasting a good title! I used this for my Chandler's Ford Today post recently when I interviewed a local author and her illustrator about a children's picture book they had brought out. This in turn made me think about my own reading journey and what a debt we all owe to children's writers.
Most readers have grown up loving books. Someone encouraged that love of story, bought them books, and in time they had the great joy of buying their own stories. I always remember one of my great wishes was to have a library of my own with books I'd chosen to be on the shelves.
Wish fulfilled there I'm glad to say! I'm also glad that there's a special space on my shelves for books written by friends of mine. And of course my From Light to Dark and Back Again is on display too!
I was trying to think back to what was the first book I could read all by myself. Got stumped there but the Reader's Digest Collection of Fairytales is a well read and taped up book (the spine needs support!) that would have been amongst the first of my "proper" reads. Has gorgeous pictures too. Never underestimate the power of good pictures to encourage reading and the development of imagination.
Someone "sees" the story and they "get" it. They can go on at a later date to read stories without pictures but there is still something of that hankering for images for most of us I think. Why else do we really love a great book cover?
And I've still got a good spot for books with good maps in them - The Lord of the Rings is superb here.
My favourite reads when growing up was Enid Blyton's Famous Five and Little Women (I always have loved Jo March as a character). I liked Heidi and Black Beauty too. I went on to discover Agatha Christie, Jane Austen, P.G. Wodehouse, and Terry Pratchett. I do believe in a good mix!
So what were your favourite childhood books? What did you "graduate" to?
And let's hear it for the children's fiction writers too!
Most readers have grown up loving books. Someone encouraged that love of story, bought them books, and in time they had the great joy of buying their own stories. I always remember one of my great wishes was to have a library of my own with books I'd chosen to be on the shelves.
Wish fulfilled there I'm glad to say! I'm also glad that there's a special space on my shelves for books written by friends of mine. And of course my From Light to Dark and Back Again is on display too!
I was trying to think back to what was the first book I could read all by myself. Got stumped there but the Reader's Digest Collection of Fairytales is a well read and taped up book (the spine needs support!) that would have been amongst the first of my "proper" reads. Has gorgeous pictures too. Never underestimate the power of good pictures to encourage reading and the development of imagination.
Someone "sees" the story and they "get" it. They can go on at a later date to read stories without pictures but there is still something of that hankering for images for most of us I think. Why else do we really love a great book cover?
And I've still got a good spot for books with good maps in them - The Lord of the Rings is superb here.
My favourite reads when growing up was Enid Blyton's Famous Five and Little Women (I always have loved Jo March as a character). I liked Heidi and Black Beauty too. I went on to discover Agatha Christie, Jane Austen, P.G. Wodehouse, and Terry Pratchett. I do believe in a good mix!
So what were your favourite childhood books? What did you "graduate" to?
And let's hear it for the children's fiction writers too!
February 2, 2019
Series or Singles?
Which kind of book do you prefer reading? A series or a stand-alone book?
I love both. Really good series ensure each book in it DOES stand alone. Brilliant series ensure you have to read the others in it! Bit of a challenge there then...
There are books which I think work best as stand-alones and/or have had sequels/prequels which didn't really work. Well, they didn't work for me at least. I never did "get" the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies thing. Yes to the former, it is one of my favourite novels and a well written zombie book is fine too but to mix the two? Argh! Definitely not for me.
Of course a series author can't know when a new reader is going to get into their books. I've never yet read a series from Book 1! I find the series, am gripped by the book I read and THEN look back at what else the writer has done and explore those works before going on to books beyond the first one I discovered.
The most important thing for me always is did I enjoy the book? And my answer to that is always down to whether I got behind the characters or not.
I love both. Really good series ensure each book in it DOES stand alone. Brilliant series ensure you have to read the others in it! Bit of a challenge there then...
There are books which I think work best as stand-alones and/or have had sequels/prequels which didn't really work. Well, they didn't work for me at least. I never did "get" the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies thing. Yes to the former, it is one of my favourite novels and a well written zombie book is fine too but to mix the two? Argh! Definitely not for me.
Of course a series author can't know when a new reader is going to get into their books. I've never yet read a series from Book 1! I find the series, am gripped by the book I read and THEN look back at what else the writer has done and explore those works before going on to books beyond the first one I discovered.
The most important thing for me always is did I enjoy the book? And my answer to that is always down to whether I got behind the characters or not.
January 26, 2019
Delving into the Past
Delving into the past has great connotations for readers and writers alike.
Firstly, there is the whole range of historical books to explore - fiction and non-fiction. Then there's the delight in exploring your favourite historical eras and discovering ones you hadn't known much about.
For me, coming across Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time was one of those moments when a book really does change things for you. It completely altered my views on Richard III. Do check out the book and see if it does the same for you!
Secondly, there is the joy of rediscovering the stories that were favourites of yours in your own past. I've done this recently by, of all things, going to a panto and revisiting a story I'd not read in years - Ali Baba. The panto was great but the story reminded me that fairytales are anything but twee and when justice is served, it is usually with a very rough edge!
Other books connected to my past are my late mother's Dickens collection. Some I've read, others not, but I do know I'm not running out of reading material any time soon! This is a VERY good thing!
So if you are stuck for something to read (I know, perish the thought!), delve into your past and look again at wht you used to read. Why did you stop reading that? Is it a question of going, say, from "childish" fairytales (though I'd argue fairytales are anything but childish) to more adult magical realism and fantasy stories?
Above all have fun delving into your literary past and see where it takes you now!
Firstly, there is the whole range of historical books to explore - fiction and non-fiction. Then there's the delight in exploring your favourite historical eras and discovering ones you hadn't known much about.
For me, coming across Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time was one of those moments when a book really does change things for you. It completely altered my views on Richard III. Do check out the book and see if it does the same for you!
Secondly, there is the joy of rediscovering the stories that were favourites of yours in your own past. I've done this recently by, of all things, going to a panto and revisiting a story I'd not read in years - Ali Baba. The panto was great but the story reminded me that fairytales are anything but twee and when justice is served, it is usually with a very rough edge!
Other books connected to my past are my late mother's Dickens collection. Some I've read, others not, but I do know I'm not running out of reading material any time soon! This is a VERY good thing!
So if you are stuck for something to read (I know, perish the thought!), delve into your past and look again at wht you used to read. Why did you stop reading that? Is it a question of going, say, from "childish" fairytales (though I'd argue fairytales are anything but childish) to more adult magical realism and fantasy stories?
Above all have fun delving into your literary past and see where it takes you now!
