Allison Symes's Blog, page 5
December 21, 2024
Happy Christmas and Lots of Lovely New Year Reading
I do hope you have had a good reading year. I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Christmas.
I hope you end up having lots of lovely New Year reading to get on with thanks to gifts under the tree! Okay you can’t disguise a book shaped present - why would you want to anyway even if you could? - but it is such fun unwrapping such lovely gifts! Naturally I got my wish list in early here!
Not sure whether I’ll be posting again here before the New Year as am looking forward to catching up with friend and family over the Christmas break but I did want to finish by saying a book isn’t just for Christmas, it’s forever.
I also wanted to say books make the perfect Christmas presents and authors and readers are the easiest people in the world to buy for!
Happy Christmas!
I hope you end up having lots of lovely New Year reading to get on with thanks to gifts under the tree! Okay you can’t disguise a book shaped present - why would you want to anyway even if you could? - but it is such fun unwrapping such lovely gifts! Naturally I got my wish list in early here!
Not sure whether I’ll be posting again here before the New Year as am looking forward to catching up with friend and family over the Christmas break but I did want to finish by saying a book isn’t just for Christmas, it’s forever.
I also wanted to say books make the perfect Christmas presents and authors and readers are the easiest people in the world to buy for!
Happy Christmas!
December 14, 2024
The Reading List
I suspect if ever there is a time of year for the reading list to grow, as if it had been fed with a super speedy fertilizer, it will be the time of year just on Christmas and just afterwards. It’s a nice problem to have though and I hope your reading list grows with lots of interesting new items this year.
Now I admit any book related presents I receive at Christmas do go automatically to the top of my reading list. I think there must be an written rule somewhere that new books do go to the top of the list like that. I tend to top up my Kindle reading list in the New Year (it’s a great way to use any given vouchers etc).
One thing that doesn’t change is the variety I have on my reading list. I like a good balance of the long and short forms, non-fiction as well as fiction.
I’m never short of something interesting to read - the thought of that makes me shudder. Just as well there’s no chance of that happening then - and my reading list continues to grow and thrive!
Now I admit any book related presents I receive at Christmas do go automatically to the top of my reading list. I think there must be an written rule somewhere that new books do go to the top of the list like that. I tend to top up my Kindle reading list in the New Year (it’s a great way to use any given vouchers etc).
One thing that doesn’t change is the variety I have on my reading list. I like a good balance of the long and short forms, non-fiction as well as fiction.
I’m never short of something interesting to read - the thought of that makes me shudder. Just as well there’s no chance of that happening then - and my reading list continues to grow and thrive!
December 7, 2024
Favourite Book Moments
I'm sure we all have favourite book moments which "make" the whole story for us.
I know I have far too many to list here though sometimes, with films, you get something which adds to the original tale.
One great example of this is the song Marley and Marley from The Muppet Christmas Carol. I still think that is the finest adaptation of Charles Dicken's wonderful novella.
But what great films can do is add something special. This can only be done when you've got superb stories to work with in the first place, mind you!
Am sure Dickens would be pleased and it is fabulous to think A Christmas Carol has never been out of print. I don't think it ever will be.
I know I have far too many to list here though sometimes, with films, you get something which adds to the original tale.
One great example of this is the song Marley and Marley from The Muppet Christmas Carol. I still think that is the finest adaptation of Charles Dicken's wonderful novella.
But what great films can do is add something special. This can only be done when you've got superb stories to work with in the first place, mind you!
Am sure Dickens would be pleased and it is fabulous to think A Christmas Carol has never been out of print. I don't think it ever will be.
November 30, 2024
'Tis The Season For Books
Couldn’t resist the title for this blog given we are about to go into Advent and then Christmas, of course as I write this on 30th November 2024.
It really is the season to be reading books of course. What is there not to like about being curled up somewhere nice with a good book and a lovely drink of choice (Options hot chocolate, mint or orange flavoured, for me usually) and have a good read?
‘Tis also the season for authors to be out and about selling their wares so if you have an event near you, do go along and support. Your local writers will appreciate it.
Another way of support is to leave reviews in the usual places. These don’t have to be long and help writers with their marketing. They’re also encouraged because it is always nice to know you’re being read (and I love this aspect myself).
So ‘tis the season for books then - to read them and to support those who write them.
Books are such a fantastic invention and there is something for everyone out there of all ages. I like to mix up my books between genres, long and short form fiction books, and non-fiction.
Whatever you read, I hope you find some cracking new books this season.
It really is the season to be reading books of course. What is there not to like about being curled up somewhere nice with a good book and a lovely drink of choice (Options hot chocolate, mint or orange flavoured, for me usually) and have a good read?
‘Tis also the season for authors to be out and about selling their wares so if you have an event near you, do go along and support. Your local writers will appreciate it.
Another way of support is to leave reviews in the usual places. These don’t have to be long and help writers with their marketing. They’re also encouraged because it is always nice to know you’re being read (and I love this aspect myself).
So ‘tis the season for books then - to read them and to support those who write them.
Books are such a fantastic invention and there is something for everyone out there of all ages. I like to mix up my books between genres, long and short form fiction books, and non-fiction.
Whatever you read, I hope you find some cracking new books this season.
November 23, 2024
Definition of a Good Read
I should have thought of this topic before given this is the Goodreads blog! So what do I define as a good read then? Is it dependent on genre?
For me the answer to that last question is a firm no. For me a good read is one where I am so gripped by the characters I have to read on to find out what happens to them. It’s not a bad definition of a good read now, is it?
Those characters can be hobbits, middle aged women like me, women from the past, men from the past, and occasionally a monster.
I have a lot of sympathy for Baron Frankenstein’s “creature”. Mary Shelley asked the timeless question here of who is the monster and it isn’t the “creature”in my view.
So the author’s job then (and this is a challenge to me as a writer myself) is to come up with characters a reader will get behind and to make us care for those characters.
It’s not enough to like them. We as readers have to care deeply. It is that which keeps us reading.
Drama only means something if we care about the characters caught up in it.
Humorous writing will only make us laugh if we care about the characters who are making us laugh, whether they’re doing this knowingly or not.
For me the answer to that last question is a firm no. For me a good read is one where I am so gripped by the characters I have to read on to find out what happens to them. It’s not a bad definition of a good read now, is it?
Those characters can be hobbits, middle aged women like me, women from the past, men from the past, and occasionally a monster.
I have a lot of sympathy for Baron Frankenstein’s “creature”. Mary Shelley asked the timeless question here of who is the monster and it isn’t the “creature”in my view.
So the author’s job then (and this is a challenge to me as a writer myself) is to come up with characters a reader will get behind and to make us care for those characters.
It’s not enough to like them. We as readers have to care deeply. It is that which keeps us reading.
Drama only means something if we care about the characters caught up in it.
Humorous writing will only make us laugh if we care about the characters who are making us laugh, whether they’re doing this knowingly or not.
November 16, 2024
Story Collections
Naturally as a flash fiction and short story writer, I have a very soft spot indeed for story collections and I would urge you to consider adding these to your Christmas list. (There, I’ve said it! Christmas is indeed coming!).
I find them useful in trying out authors whose work is new to me - if I like their short form work, I am highly likely to love their novels. I also like to read shorter stories in between novels as I like to ensure I read plenty of both types of fiction.
But with my writing hat on, I know some stories simply work best when kept short. The classic fairytales are just one example of this. Simply wouldn’t work as novels in my view. Jesus’s parables and Aesop’s Fables again work best and are remembered better precisely because they are short.
What has been a joy in putting my own flash collections together is in being able to share a wide range of stories in terms of mood, word count length, and so on, It is a great opportunity to show what flash fiction is and can be.
It’s also been a joy to contribute to the longer short story anthologies too and I always consider it a real compliment when my work is included in any of these. I also love reading the other stories in there. The variety of styles is always amazing.
I am also fond of short stories by authors far better known for their novels. P.G. Wodehouse and Agatha Christie both had excellent short story collections and I have these on my shelves along with their more famous longer length works. Love them all.
I find them useful in trying out authors whose work is new to me - if I like their short form work, I am highly likely to love their novels. I also like to read shorter stories in between novels as I like to ensure I read plenty of both types of fiction.
But with my writing hat on, I know some stories simply work best when kept short. The classic fairytales are just one example of this. Simply wouldn’t work as novels in my view. Jesus’s parables and Aesop’s Fables again work best and are remembered better precisely because they are short.
What has been a joy in putting my own flash collections together is in being able to share a wide range of stories in terms of mood, word count length, and so on, It is a great opportunity to show what flash fiction is and can be.
It’s also been a joy to contribute to the longer short story anthologies too and I always consider it a real compliment when my work is included in any of these. I also love reading the other stories in there. The variety of styles is always amazing.
I am also fond of short stories by authors far better known for their novels. P.G. Wodehouse and Agatha Christie both had excellent short story collections and I have these on my shelves along with their more famous longer length works. Love them all.
November 9, 2024
Humorous Fiction
I have a very soft spot for humorous fiction, ranging from Jane Austen’s irony in Pride and Prejudice (in particular) all the way through to Wodehouse and Pratchett.
Story writing is challenging enough but to make it funny as well takes a particular skill set and one I think the world could do with much more of especially now. Well, let’s be honest, 2024 has not been a great year, has it?
So books and stories which make me laugh will always go down well with me. I do wish humorous fiction was taken more seriously, funny enough.
I’ve long held the view it is looked down on a bit because it “looks easy”, Big mistake there. I learned years ago if someone makes something look easy, that same someone has worked hard for years to get to that point.
For a writer to come up with funny lines for their characters, they have to know their creations inside out and ensure that what the characters speak is something which arises naturally out of the situation they’re in.
Nothing must seem forced in any book. It never works. Humour especially cannot be forced - readers literally won’t buy it. It’s the equivalent of laughing at your own jokes, which most of us don’t do.
But when a writer gets the humour right, it is sublime.
Story writing is challenging enough but to make it funny as well takes a particular skill set and one I think the world could do with much more of especially now. Well, let’s be honest, 2024 has not been a great year, has it?
So books and stories which make me laugh will always go down well with me. I do wish humorous fiction was taken more seriously, funny enough.
I’ve long held the view it is looked down on a bit because it “looks easy”, Big mistake there. I learned years ago if someone makes something look easy, that same someone has worked hard for years to get to that point.
For a writer to come up with funny lines for their characters, they have to know their creations inside out and ensure that what the characters speak is something which arises naturally out of the situation they’re in.
Nothing must seem forced in any book. It never works. Humour especially cannot be forced - readers literally won’t buy it. It’s the equivalent of laughing at your own jokes, which most of us don’t do.
But when a writer gets the humour right, it is sublime.
November 2, 2024
Stand Out Characters
I’ve always thought characters make or break a story. If a character grips me, whether it’s due to my being sympathetic to their cause or because I want to see them fail, then I will read on and find out what happens.
The challenge for me as a writer, of course, is to create stand out characters of my own but given I’ve always loved inventing fictional characters, this is a joy.
It doesn’t matter either what format the story is in. I’ve recently seen my local excellent amateur theatre company stage a thriller where, throughout, I was routing for one character to succeed but didn’t know until the last minute whether I was right to think that way or not.
Kept me glued to my seat and I wasn’t the only one. You couldn’t hear a pin drop in that hall. Now that is wonderful characterisation and acting for you.
But it’s true for books too. The classics are the classics because we remember their characters (and thus their stories).
I don’t need to add anything if I say Oliver, Jeeves, Frodo, Hamlet, the Bennets, Harry, Aslan, and so many more I couldn’t list them all here, do I?
You will recall their stories immediately and maybe think it’s time for a re-read!
The challenge for me as a writer, of course, is to create stand out characters of my own but given I’ve always loved inventing fictional characters, this is a joy.
It doesn’t matter either what format the story is in. I’ve recently seen my local excellent amateur theatre company stage a thriller where, throughout, I was routing for one character to succeed but didn’t know until the last minute whether I was right to think that way or not.
Kept me glued to my seat and I wasn’t the only one. You couldn’t hear a pin drop in that hall. Now that is wonderful characterisation and acting for you.
But it’s true for books too. The classics are the classics because we remember their characters (and thus their stories).
I don’t need to add anything if I say Oliver, Jeeves, Frodo, Hamlet, the Bennets, Harry, Aslan, and so many more I couldn’t list them all here, do I?
You will recall their stories immediately and maybe think it’s time for a re-read!
October 26, 2024
Memory Books
When my now late mother was in care, memory books were a big thing in her care home and these were so beautifully produced. They looked like large scrapbooks and they were on different topics.
One of my favourite ones was old advertising signs. Brought back so many memories which, naturally, was the idea. I have come across the odd one of those on Amazon but it struck me you could make your own and use the memories triggered as your own story prompts. (You could use your own photos, say).
But you can also use books themselves this way. I inherited several from my mother and every time I see them those bring back memories.
Some of my own books now (especially those by the likes of Wodehouse and Pratchett) have now had newer editions of the same stories issued. Though for Pratchett I much prefer those with the covers by Josh Kirby. The colourful images are so apt for Discworld.
Certain books I re-read at certain times of year because they are either (a) appropriate for the season or (b) much loved books I have to get a re-read in during the year somehow. Lovely memories associated with both types.
And then there are my special shelves. Here I have books I’ve written and/or contributed to plus books signed for me by their authors, all good friends of mine. Lovely memories of getting them to sign for me too.
Just more proof, if it were needed, books are indeed wonderful things! And while I would never be without the Kindle you can’t beat the paperback either.
One of my favourite ones was old advertising signs. Brought back so many memories which, naturally, was the idea. I have come across the odd one of those on Amazon but it struck me you could make your own and use the memories triggered as your own story prompts. (You could use your own photos, say).
But you can also use books themselves this way. I inherited several from my mother and every time I see them those bring back memories.
Some of my own books now (especially those by the likes of Wodehouse and Pratchett) have now had newer editions of the same stories issued. Though for Pratchett I much prefer those with the covers by Josh Kirby. The colourful images are so apt for Discworld.
Certain books I re-read at certain times of year because they are either (a) appropriate for the season or (b) much loved books I have to get a re-read in during the year somehow. Lovely memories associated with both types.
And then there are my special shelves. Here I have books I’ve written and/or contributed to plus books signed for me by their authors, all good friends of mine. Lovely memories of getting them to sign for me too.
Just more proof, if it were needed, books are indeed wonderful things! And while I would never be without the Kindle you can’t beat the paperback either.
October 19, 2024
Book Fairs/Events
I've been at a couple of book related events over the last fortnight. Both were great fun and it was especially nice to catch up with fellow authors.
It is so nice not having to explain the urge to write and, of course, the one thing which unites us all is our overwhelming love for books.
I've inherited my love of books from my late mother who read to me regularly and encouraged my own reading.
Book events are great opportunities to bring books to people and make them aware of what is available in their own area.
So if you get a chance to support events like this, please do.
Books - we need to spread the word!
It is so nice not having to explain the urge to write and, of course, the one thing which unites us all is our overwhelming love for books.
I've inherited my love of books from my late mother who read to me regularly and encouraged my own reading.
Book events are great opportunities to bring books to people and make them aware of what is available in their own area.
So if you get a chance to support events like this, please do.
Books - we need to spread the word!
