Allison Symes

Author Interview: June Webber – Publication: Never Too Late

January 20, 2023 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to June Webber for supplying author pictures and book cover photos. The Best of CafeLit 11 images come from Bridge House Publishing so many thanks to them for those. Images from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick were taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images (with one image directly from Pixabay).

It is with great pleasure I welcome friend and fellow Swanwicker, June Webber, to Chandler’s Ford Today. June and I first met at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick back in 2016 when I was a “white badger” (first time attendee). June, Val Penny, and I regularly meet up on Zoom.

Tags: am reading, am writing, author interview, creativity, fiction, June Webber, publication, short stories, Swanwick Writers' Summer School, The Best of CafeLit 11

Writing Pitfalls

January 13, 2023 By Allison Symes 5 Comments

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

The writing life is fun but being prepared for the roller coaster aspect of it is a good idea. Every writer has their ups and downs. It helps to know this. Going into the writing life with your eyes wide open also helps. It also helps, I think, to accept the following is true.

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Tags: am writing, creative writing, marketing, networking, regular writing, the writing life, tips, writing advice

Diaries and Letters

January 6, 2023 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos (with one image directly from Pixabay). Book cover images from Chapeltown Books.

Have you ever kept a diary? Did you use to/still do enjoy writing and receiving letters in the post? The answer to both those questions is yes from me.

I keep a diary to help me stay on track of what I write when (and to remind me to get my author newsletter out, note down workshop dates etc). I also keep, as part of the same diary, notes on how my writing is going and whether I was pleased or not with the previous day’s writing efforts.

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Tags: am reading, am writing, creating characters, creative writing, diaries, letters, writing advice, writing formats

Positives and Negatives

December 30, 2022 By Allison Symes 8 Comments

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

It’s almost impossible at this time of the old year to resist looking back and weighing up what kind of twelve months it has been. The days and months of the calendar never change (well, bar leap years I guess and even then only by one day!), yet our attitudes towards the passing of time can vary so much.

I must admit this year has struck me as a sad one. I’ve known several friends lose loved ones and I was deeply saddened by the death of the Queen. I was (and remain) saddened (and angered) at the war on Ukraine. So on the face of it, 2022 has not been a great year (and we thought 2020 was bad!).

What I find helps is remembering feeling like this is normal. Every year has its ups and downs though in some years, it is harder work to recall the positives!

Tags: negatives, New Year, old year, positives, review, setting goals, social media scams, the writing journey, writing life

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

Bridge House Publishing Celebration Event 2022

December 16, 2022 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Image Credits:-

Photos taken by me, Allison Symes. Many thanks to Lynn Clement for taking the image of me reading work. Other images created in Book Brush but using one of my photos.

It is always a joy to get to go to the Bridge House Publishing celebration event and it is equally lovely to blog for Chandler’s Ford Today about it! This year it was held at the Theodore Bullfrog pub in London. They do have some great pub names (and if you can think of any you’ve come across, do share them in the comments). It is an especial pleasure to go since Covid-19 has put paid to previous planned get togethers. It was by no means certain this year’s event would go ahead either due to other outside events beyond BHP’s control.

But we made it and it was lovely to get into a cosily warm pub, given it was bitter out. (Coldest places on the planet must include railway stations. They make for very good wind tunnels… brrr… and I’d nominate Southampton Airport Parkway as one of the worst there).

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Tags: author event, author readings, books, Bridge House Publishing, celebration event, networking

Deadly Traditions – Interview with Wendy H Jones

December 9, 2022 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Wendy H Jones for supplying author and book cover pictures. Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images directly from Pixabay.

It is lovely to welcome Wendy H Jones back to Chandler’s Ford Today with news of her latest publication. It is another departure from Wendy’s usual line of work too. This time, Wendy has a short story in Deadly Traditions, which is a crime and Christmas anthology.

Tags: author interview, book launch, Christmas fiction, Deadly Traditions, new book, short story anthology. cosy crime fiction, Wendy H Jones

“Seconds” – Interview with Val Penny

December 2, 2022 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Val Penny for supplying author and book pics and images of Edinburgh. Other images were created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. The photo of Val Penny about to run a workshop at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick was taken by me, Allison Symes. Other photos from Swanwick were taken by me or by kind writer friends using my phone!

I’m delighted to say Scottish crime writer, Val Penny, has excellent news to share with regard to her Hunter’s Revenge. Its second edition was published on 30th November 2022 by Spellbound Books.

To find out more about Val’s DI Hunter Wilson do go to her book page on her website

There is also a buy link at geni.us/a13c

Tags: "seconds" in the writing life, crime series, crime writing, fiction, Hunter's Revenge, moving publishers, second editions, secondary rights, The Writers' Summer School, Val Penny, workshops. creative writing

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

Crossing Paths with Jenny Sanders – Part 1

November 18, 2022 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits:

Many thanks to Jenny Sanders for supplying author, book, and other pictures. Other images have been created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Some images are directly from Pixabay. Photos from the ACW Golden Jubilee weekend were taken by me, Allison Symes.

One of the great joys of the writing life is meeting and befriending other writers. You learn from each other. You talk with others who understand the drive to write and who have their fair share of the ups and downs of trying to get work published. Often you’ll come across the same writer in different ways and this is true for me with regard to Jenny Sanders, my interviewee.

Tags: am reading, am writing, Association of Christian Writers, books, creative writing, flash fiction, Jenny Sanders, Mom's Favorite Reads magazine, putting stories together, TVS

Remembering

November 11, 2022 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Image Credits:-

Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Others are taken from the Chandler’s Ford Today archives.

Today is Armistice Day. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – a poignant moment in history.

This year’s events will be familiar and as moving as ever. I think this year they will seem more so I suspect to many of us given one familiar figure will no longer be laying a wreath at The Cenotaph.

[Read more…] about Remembering

Tags: Armistice Day, history, memorial services, memories, remembering, war, war memorial, World War One, World War Two

Review: The Chameleon Theatre Group – Sherlock Holmes and The Mystery at Mallen Hall

November 4, 2022 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to the Chameleons for kind permission to use their photos. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos (and in one case my picture of the excellent programme!).

It was with great pleasure I met with Janet Williams at Richie Hall to watch the latest production from The Chameleon Theatre Group. I love Sherlock Holmes tales so this was a win-win. Congratulations must go to the Chameleons for a sell out performance on all three nights from 27th to 29th October 2022.

Tags: amateur theatre, detective plays, entertainment, review, Ritchie Hall, Sherlock Holmes and The Mystery of Mallen Hall, The Chameleon Theatre Group

PART 2 – Ruth Leigh and The Continued Times of Isabella M Smugge

October 28, 2022 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Ruth Leigh for supplying author pictures and book cover shots. Other photos created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. The image of Jane Austen is taken directly from Pixabay.

It is a joy to welcome Ruth Leigh back to Chandler’s Ford Today. Last week we discussed her forthcoming launch for The Continued Times of Isabella M Smugge, the latest in her series involving her wonderfully funny and moving creation. This week, we look at the issues of marketing and how well Ruth needed to know Isabella before writing her stories up.

And now back to Ruth. Welcome back, Ruth.

Tags: book launch, characters, creative fiction, Isabella M Smugge, marketing, publication, Ruth Leigh, series fiction, The Continued Times of Isabella M Smugge

Ruth Leigh and The Continued Times of Isabella M Smugge – Part 1

October 21, 2022 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Ruth Leigh for supplying author pictures and book cover shots. Other photos created in Book Brush using Pixabay images.

It is with great pleasure I welcome Ruth Leigh back to Chandler’s Ford Today to talk about her hilarious and moving creation, Isabella M Smugge. Ruth has written her third book in the series – The Continued Times of Isabella M Smugge.

Ruth Leigh

Ruth Leigh is a freelance writer, novelist and book reviewer. Married with three children, a cat, one husband and assorted poultry, she is a recovering over-achiever.

Tags: author interview, book launch, creative writing, Isabella M Smugge, marketing, publication news, Ruth Leigh

Author Voice

October 14, 2022 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

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

It took me a long time to work out what my author voice was and why it was important to have one at all. I needed to work out just what it was I wrote, why I wrote it, and develop a writing style. You should be able to read an author’s work and “hear” their voice coming through their characters. It is not just about author style though that feeds into this.

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Tags: Agatha Christie, am reading, am writing, author voice, developing an author voice, inspiration, regular writing, writing style

Breaks

October 7, 2022 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

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

I’m off for a late autumn break soon. I’m looking forward to a return visit to lovely Northumberland. It is what breaks are for – to refresh, revitalise etc. Having said that, a good cup of tea and a decent reading session can also act as a mini break and I welcome that kind too!

[Read more…] about Breaks

Tags: "lucky" breaks, am reading, am writing, breaks, breaks for characters, breaks in short fiction, scene breaks

Favourites

September 30, 2022 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits:-

Most images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. One photo taken by Allison Symes, the other a family heirloom photo.

My post last week was a reflective one, given the recent (and most moving) funeral of HM the Queen. Usually national reflection is sombre because it is usually connected to Armistice Day/Remembrance Sunday etc.

But reflection can take other forms and I thought it would be nice to have a look at favourites – favourite films, books, music, TV shows etc. The old saying “the past is a different country, they do things differently there” is true but sometimes it is nice to pop back for a visit! And doing that can remind you of things which are well worth bringing back to your recall again.

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Tags: favourite radio shows, favourite sweets, favourite TV shows, favourites, nostalgia, personal memories, recollections

Looking Back

September 23, 2022 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos

I suspect many of us will have been reflecting a lot over the last few weeks since Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, died. Rightly so too I think. Momentous moments should make us take time out to reflect. You need time to process something. We are not automatons.

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Tags: looking back, Queen Elizabeth II, reflections, remembrance, the royal funeral

Hooks

September 16, 2022 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

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

Hooks are wonderful. They lure you into reading until you reach The End. The nice thing is this applies just as much to non-fiction as it does to fiction. Why?

Because all forms of writing have to offer something of value to the reader to get them to read it. For non-fiction, it will be information of use to the reader (and I hope most of my CFT posts do that, it’s my aim). For fiction, that something of value will be an entertaining read, regardless of the genre being read.

[Read more…] about Hooks

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Good Interviews

September 9, 2022 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos, one taken from Pixabay directly. Screenshot taken by me, Allison Symes.

A useful skill for any writer is to develop interview techniques.

[Read more…] about Good Interviews

Tags: am writing, author interviews, deadlines, engaging your audience, interviews, marketing, open questions, preparing for interviews

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Allison Symes

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Image Credits: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos (with one image directly from Pixabay). Book cover images from Chapeltown Books.

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Image Credits:-

Photos taken by me, Allison Symes. Many thanks to Lynn Clement for taking the image of me reading work. Other images created in Book Brush but using one of my photos.

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Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Wendy H Jones for supplying author and book cover pictures. Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images directly from Pixabay.

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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 Jenny Sanders for supplying author, book, and other pictures. Other images have been created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Some images are directly from Pixabay. Photos from the ACW Golden Jubilee weekend were taken by me, Allison Symes.

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Image Credits:-

Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Others are taken from the Chandler’s Ford Today archives.

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Image Credits:-

Many thanks to the Chameleons for kind permission to use their photos. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos (and in one case my picture of the excellent programme!).

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Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Ruth Leigh for supplying author pictures and book cover shots. Other photos created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. The image of Jane Austen is taken directly from Pixabay.

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Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Ruth Leigh for supplying author pictures and book cover shots. Other photos created in Book Brush using Pixabay images.

Ruth Leigh

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Image Credits:-

Most images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. One photo taken by Allison Symes, the other a family heirloom photo.

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

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Image Credits:-

Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos, one taken from Pixabay directly. Screenshot taken by me, Allison Symes.

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