Search Results for: flash fiction

Top Flash Fiction Writing Tips and the Benefits

November 22, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:- Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Many thanks to Penny Blackburn for taking the images of me at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick 2024. Many thanks to Gill James for taking the image of me reading at the 2023 Bridge House Publishing Celebration event (and it was a cold day!).

As some of you will know, I discovered flash fiction by accident. It is easily the happiest writing accident I have ever had/am likely to have and I’m grateful for it. Two published books later with a third accepted – well, it’s the kind of accident any writer would welcome.

CafeLit, with whom I’d been published for a while, issued a 100 word challenge and I gave it a go, discovered the form is addictive and I’ve not looked back.

Tags: Allison Symes, am writing, benefits of writing flash fiction, characters, creative writing, editing, flash fiction, flash fiction tips, marketing, tight writing, writing advice

Crossing Paths with Jenny Sanders – Flash Fiction, Devotionals, and Short Stories- Part 2

November 25, 2022 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Image Credits: Many thanks to Jenny Sanders for author and book cover pics. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images directly from Pixabay.

It was a joy to welcome Jenny Sanders to Chandler’s Ford Today last week. She and I have crossed paths many times thanks to our connections via the Association of Christian Writers, online magazine Mom’s Favorite Reads, and flash fiction.

This week, Jenny tells us more about her writing journey, including how she discovered flash fiction, and shares her thoughts on the most challenging aspects of creating a story or an article. Plenty to learn from here so, once more, over to Jenny.

Tags: am reading, am writing, children's stories, creative writing, devotional writing, flash fiction, humorous writing, Jenny Sanders, Mom's Favorite Reads, non-fiction, short form writing, short stories, teaching creative writing, writing advice, writing journey

Travelling by Bus around the World and Inspirational Flash Fiction – Introducing Gail Aldwin

March 16, 2018 By Allison Symes 9 Comments

Further to last week where I discussed the frustrations of publishing, it is my pleasure to share my interview with another writer taking the independent press route. Please “meet” fellow Chapeltown Books author, Gail Aldwin. Also many thanks to her for supplying the images for this interview. [Read more…] about Travelling by Bus around the World and Inspirational Flash Fiction – Introducing Gail Aldwin

Tags: Chapeltown Books, creative writing, flash fiction, inspiration

Published – My Debut Flash Fiction Collection

February 24, 2017 By Allison Symes 15 Comments

I am thrilled to announce my debut flash fiction collection, From Light to Dark and Back Again, has now been published by Chapeltown Books. It is available in paperback and in Kindle format via Amazon and, of course, directly from me but more on that later.

The stories range from 100 words tales to 500 words to 750 and there are one or two which just creep in as flash fiction, being just under the 1000 words limit. This is generally recognized as the cutting off point between flash and standard short story lengths. [Read more…] about Published – My Debut Flash Fiction Collection

Tags: blogging, books, celebrations, creative writing, flash fiction, publishing, reading, writing

Seasonal Limericks and Flash Fiction

December 30, 2016 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

I thought I’d finish for this year with some light-hearted seasonal limericks and flash fiction pieces. Hope you enjoy them.

I also hope you had plenty of books (in print or electronically) for Christmas and you are happily working your way through them! [Read more…] about Seasonal Limericks and Flash Fiction

Tags: Christmas, flash fiction, review, viewpoint, writing

Flash Fiction – What is it?

September 9, 2016 By Allison Symes 9 Comments

Have you heard of Flash Fiction?

Flash fiction is any story that has a maximum of 1,000 words. It is also known as micro fiction, postcard fiction, short short story (though that is a mouthful!) and sudden fiction. [Read more…] about Flash Fiction – What is it?

Tags: books, flash fiction, publishing, reading, writing

Allison Symes – Author Update November 2024 – Book Fairs, Autumn Gatherings, Flash NANO and More

November 15, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Janet Williams for taking pictures of yours truly at The Hilt Book Fair. Other photos were taken by me, Allison Symes, as were all screenshots. Other images created in Book Brush using either my photos or Pixabay ones.

It’s been a busy time of late. As well as going to the Association of Christian Writers (ACW) Autumn Gathering event in Rugby, literally the following week I was at The Hilt, taking part in the Book Fair.

I was pleased to see this back and while it was quieter than last year, it was great to meet writers from last year, meet new authors, and have a good chat with those I’ve known for a while, including our own Richard Hardie who was promoting his new book, Remember Remember, the third in his Temporal Detective Agency series for YA readers. (I’ve not been a YA for some considerable time but still love books like these and see no reason why my age should preclude me from reading them!).

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Tags: Allison Symes, Association of Christian Writers, author update, Autumn Gathering, Book Fair at The Hilt. Flash NANO, Bridge House Publishing Celebration event, competition placing, editing, story judging, the writing life, writing events

Author Interview: Jenny Sanders – The Polished Arrows of Non-Fiction Writing – Part 2

June 7, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Jenny Sanders for supplying book and author pictures. Other images from Unsplash and Pixabay (forwarded by Jenny Sanders). Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

It was such a pleasure to welcome back Jenny Sanders to Chandler’s Ford Today last week where we discussed her new devotional book, Polished Arrows. Devotionals are a specialised form of writing and she discussed the joys and challenges she faces here.

This week, Jenny is sharing thoughts on marketing and book launches. There are some great tips here for any writer thinking along these lines which may prove useful to you.

Tags: Association of Christian Writers, blurbs, book launches, book marketing, devotional writing, Instant Apostle, Jenny Sanders, non-fiction writing, Polished Arrows, Spiritual Feasting, writing groups

Author Interview: Jenny Sanders The Polished Arrows of Non-Fiction Writing – Part 1

May 31, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Jenny Sanders for supplying book and author pictures. Other images from Unsplash and Pixabay (forwarded by Jenny Sanders). Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

It’s a pleasure to welcome Jenny Sanders back to Chandler’s Ford Today. Jenny and I are connected through the Association of Christian Writers. We have written for Mom’s Favourite Reads. We now write regularly for Writers’ Narrative (on which I am also a copy editor. Good news – it is free to subscribe to – see the link for more).

As well as her children’s fiction, Jenny writes articles on writing. She also writes non-fiction books (Christian devotionals) and her latest is due out today, 31st May 2024. Her Polished Arrows is a follow up to her first non-fiction book, Spiritual Feasting, (both published by Instant Apostle).

I’m always interested in how writers combine writing fiction with non-fiction. The disciplines are different so managing to meet the demands of both is an interesting challenge.

Tags: Association of Christian Writers, Christian writing, devotional writing, hybrid publishers, Instant Apostle, Jenny Sanders, non-fiction writing, Polished Arrows

History – Fact and Fiction

April 19, 2024 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Images created via Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images directly from Pixabay. My book cover image from Chapeltown Books.

Earlier this month, I had the great pleasure and privilege of presenting to an online history group a PowerPoint on Josephine Tey (author of The Daughter of Time) and Philippa Langley (co-author, with Michael Jones, of The Search for Richard III: The King’s Grave, and, more recently, The Princes in the Tower, where she is sole author).

Tags: Agent ZigZag, am reading, am writing, Ben Macintyre. Operation Mincemeat. Double Cross, checking research, historical fiction, historical non-fiction, history, Josephine Tey, making history interesting, Philippa Langley. The Princes in the Tower. historical flash fiction, research, The Daughter of Time

Using Time For Fiction

April 14, 2023 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

I’ve often used time in fiction. I’ve sometimes used Time as a character. I sometimes have a story where a character has a certain amount of time in which to achieve their objective. I’ve also written from the viewpoint of time travelling aliens (as you do!). I’ve written the odd story as a diary format and even timed the entries written by the narrator. I’ve also written historical flash fiction where the setting is back in time. All great fun to do.

Tags: am writing, blogging, creative writing, deadlines, planning writing time, productivity, spontaneous writing, taking your writing seriously, Time as a character, using time in fiction, writing exercises, Zoom workshops

Festive Flash and Other News

December 23, 2022 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Many thanks to Hannah Kate from North Manchester FM for kind permission to use the Three Minute Santas photo. Book covers of Evergreen – an Anthology and The Best of CafeLit 11 are from Bridge House Publishing. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes. The Merry Christmas image is from CFT archives.

My, how does the time fly! It’s time for some festive flash fiction and news about my writing year. It’s been a busy but fun one.

Tags: Allison Symes, am writing, Bridge House Publishing, broadcasts, creative writing, festive flash fiction, Hannah Kate, North Manchester FM, podcasts, publication news, The Writing and Marketing Show, Three Minute Santas, Wendy H Jones, workshops

Your Lead Character In Fiction

July 22, 2022 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

Your lead character is the star of your story. Their actions are a result of needing something (to fulfil a quest is one example) but there are obstacles. This includes other characters who are not there to make life easy. Cause and consequence; conflict and resolution – these are the foundations of any story. Your lead character drives the action.

Tags: am writing, character traits, characterisation, creative writing, lead characters, ways into knowing your character, writing advice

(E)xcellence in Fiction

July 15, 2022 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

Cheating a bit here, are we, Allison? Maybe!

I knew X would be a tricky letter for an alphabetical series on fiction! Options were X-Ray Vision and Other Specialist Skills in Fiction. Or X-Rated in Fiction. The latter was out. Not to my taste. Not my field. Not for a family friendly online magazine! I think X-Ray vision is cheating as it limits the genres I can talk about! Just how often will X-ray vision crop up in our stories?

So (e)xcellence in fiction it is and I hope you send comments in about what you think counts as this in your book (pun intended!). Is it the plots. the characters, or the author’s style?

Tags: am writing, creative writing, excellence in fiction, writing advice

Writing Techniques in Fiction

July 8, 2022 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images directly from Pixabay.

Now this topic could easily fill a book or several so this post can only be a brief overview. I focus on a few things which I have found so useful.

Tags: am reading, am writing, creative writing, drafting, editing time, market research, mixing up your reading, reading work out loud, show don't tell, speech tags, Writers' and Artists' Yearbook. Mslexia Indie Press Guide, writing advice, Zoom

Verbs and Verbosity in Fiction

July 1, 2022 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits:-

Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

Screenshot taken by me, Allison Symes.

Now you might think one of these has an obvious place in any kind of creative writing and the other definitely not.

On the face of it, quite right too. Ironically, though there can be a place for some judicially placed verbosity but more on that shortly.

Verbs are, of course, part of the writer’s creative toolbox, along with the various component parts of our language. I use them to trigger story ideas. How?

Tags: am writing, character traits, characterisation, creative writing, fiction, outlining, verbosity, verbs, writing advice

Underlining in Fiction

June 24, 2022 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

What do I mean about underlining in fiction?

Simply it’s how to emphasize a point to a reader without repeating yourself. It will be as the reader looks back at the story they will realise certain points were emphasized without them being aware of it. Otherwise known as planting information!

Tags: am writing, creative writing, inference, planting clues, tips, underlining in fiction, writing advice

The Rule of Three In Fiction

June 17, 2022 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

The Rule of Three is a classic in all fiction. It is one of the basic building blocks for successful story writing. It’s not new. Think about Jesus talking about the parable of The Good Samaritan. Two people walk by on the other side from the poor robbed man. The third one, the Samaritan, not only stops but helps the victim.

Tags: am reading, am writing, classic fairytales. The Good Samaritan, creative writing, creativity, story structure, The Rule of Three, the three act structure

Settings and Simplicity in Fiction

June 3, 2022 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

Setting often act like characters. Many stories wouldn’t work without their settings. It is as true for The Lord of the Rings and the Discworld series, as it is for Wuthering Heights and A Christmas Carol. Can you imagine the latter happening outside of London, for example? Writers can exploit settings to get more from their tales/characters.

Tags: am writing, characterisation, characters, clarity, creative writing, settings, simple writing

Reading, Rhythms, and Resolutions in Fiction

May 27, 2022 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

Now there’s an interesting combination of topics for the letter R in my In Fiction series.

Tags: am reading, am writing, books, creative writing, reading, resolutions, rhythms, stories

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Image Credits: Many thanks to Jenny Sanders for author and book cover pics. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images directly from Pixabay.

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Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Janet Williams for taking pictures of yours truly at The Hilt Book Fair. Other photos were taken by me, Allison Symes, as were all screenshots. Other images created in Book Brush using either my photos or Pixabay ones.

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Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Jenny Sanders for supplying book and author pictures. Other images from Unsplash and Pixabay (forwarded by Jenny Sanders). Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

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Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Jenny Sanders for supplying book and author pictures. Other images from Unsplash and Pixabay (forwarded by Jenny Sanders). Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

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Image Credits:-

Images created via Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images directly from Pixabay. My book cover image from Chapeltown Books.

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Image Credits: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images directly from Pixabay.

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Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

Screenshot taken by me, Allison Symes.

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