Allison Symes

Getting the Most From An In Person Workshop

August 18, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Photos from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick were taken by me, Allison Symes. Many thanks to Julia Pattison for taking the image of me at my editing workshop. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

I was privileged to lead a one hour workshop for The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick on Editing – From Both Sides of the Fence. I had the experience in 2020 of being edited on my book (Tripping the Flash Fantastic) and, simultaneously, I was editing someone else’s book for a small publisher. With my third book given the nod, it wouldn’t surprise me too much if I find myself in the same position again.

I thought it would be useful to give some pointers as to how to make the most of an in person workshop (though many of the points I make will also apply to online ones).

Tags: am reading, am writing, creative writing, feedback, getting the most from a writing workshop, learning, writing courses, writing workshops

Diary of a Swanwicker

August 11, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Images taken by Allison Symes at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick. One image adapted in Book Brush for the Feature Image. Many thanks to Julia Pattison for taking the image of me just after my editing workshop. One image directly from PIxabay.

It was with great pleasure I returned to The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick for that treasured time where I can be fully immersed in the world of writing. As ever, I’ve been looking forward to catching up with friends and making new ones. I did so within an hour of arriving at Derby Railway Station and got chatting to a fellow long term Swanwicker on the coach laid on to take us to the Hayes.

Tags: Allison Symes, am reading, am writing, Continuing Professional Development, creative writing, developing your writing, editing workshop, flash fiction, Open Poetry Mic Night, Open Prose Mic Night, Swanwick, The Writers' Summer School, workshops, writing courses, writing friends

Review – The Chameleon Theatre Group – Lilies on the Land

August 4, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credit:–

A huge thank you to The Chameleons for supplying the photos though I have used Book Brush to turn one of them into a suitable Feature Image. Also thanks to them for permission to share quotes from the cast of Lilies on the Land.

It was a great pleasure to see The Chameleon Theatre Group’s latest production, Lilies on the Land, on Thursday 27th July 2023. Good to see a contingent from Chandler’s Ford Today – Janet and Ben Williams and Gopi Chandroth. (Do check out Gopi’s excellent review if you haven’t already – see in related posts below).

Tags: forgotten history, land girls, Lilies on the Land, memories, The Chameleon Theatre Group, Women's Land Army, World War Two

Welcome to Writers’ Narrative Magazine – Interview with Wendy H Jones

July 28, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to all at Writers’ Narrative for sending me their fabulous author photos. Many thanks to Wendy H Jones for the publicity shots for Writers’ Narrative magazine. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images, one taken directly from Pixabay, and one of Wendy’s shots adapted in Book Brush for the Feature Image. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

I mentioned in my most recent round-up of what I’ve been up to, writing wise, Mom’s Favorite Reads had come to an end but a new monthly online magazine, Writers’ Narrative, was coming out. I’m pleased to say the first issue of this (the August 2023) edition has just been released (25th July 2023). A free subscribe link is included below.

The same editorial team, including me, is on board for Writers’ Narrative and its editor in chief is Wendy H Jones. It is a magazine by writers for writers.

Tags: Allison Symes, author interview, bringing a new online magazine to life, creative writing, editorial team, Eileen Rolland, fiction, Maressa Mortimer, non-fiction, online magazines, Pauline Tait, Sheena Macleod, Wendy H Jones, Writers' Narrative magazine, writing articles, writing tips

Websites – Why A Writer Needs One

July 21, 2023 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits: Most images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. One image directly from Pixabay. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

One key aspect to marketing for any writer is the author website. It is the writer’s “shop window” to the outside world.

The good news is they don’t have to be “all bells and whistles”. They do need to be interesting, varied, and updated regularly. There needs to be material on the website which will draw people back to it time and time again.

Tags: am reading, am writing, author websites, blogs, marketing, website materials, why authors need websites

Review: Book Fair at The Hilt

July 14, 2023 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Image Credits:-

A huge thank you to Janet Williams for taking pictures of me at this event. Many thanks to Richard Hardie for taking some of me too. Always tricky doing your own for things like this! Many thanks to Vie Portland for the Book Fair poster image. Other photos are from me, Allison Symes. A real co-operative effort on the picture front this week! Some images created in Book Brush using one of my photos.

It was fabulous taking part in the Book Fair at the Hilt on 8th July. It was great to catch up with authors I know and to meet up with others for the first time. I was delighted there was a great turn out for this inaugural event.

The organisers counted 125 (and there were more. The organisers were sometimes supervising talks by some of the writers so literally could not count everyone!). I hope this bodes well for there being future events like this.

Tags: am reading, am writing, author event, Book Fair at The Hilt, book signings, books, creative writing, Vie Portland, volunteers, writer talks

Taking Part in the Book Fair at The Hilt – 8th July 2023

July 7, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Vie Portland for supplying the Book Fair poster. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Photo of me signing books at Chandler’s Ford Railway Station were taken by Janet Williams on my phone. Thanks, Janet. Many thanks to Jen Wilson for taking the shot of my signing my first book for Val Penny – this was back in 2017. Seems a world away now!

And I would like to say the much missed Fiona Park, whom I knew from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick, took the picture of me signing books there with my handbag slung across my shoulder. Fiona was a lovely soul and she left this world far too early.

Facebook – Events page for the Book Fair

I’m so pleased to be taking part in the Book Fair at The Hilt tomorrow, 8th July 2023. There is, of course, the obvious reason of being an author with books to sell. But the best reason is it is fantastic to see book fairs up and running again after the pandemic. It is even better having one right on our doorstep, pretty much. The books are coming to you, folks!

Tags: Allison Symes, am reading, am writing, author book signing, author events, Book Fair at The Hilt, books on your doorstep, local authors, networking, supporting local authors

Event News: The Book Fair, The Hilt, Chandler’s Ford

July 1, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credit:-

A huge thanks to Vie Portland for supplying the poster for The Book Fair. (Look out for it in the area. I’ve seen it in the Post Office window!).

EVENT NEWS –

THE BOOK FAIR AT THE HILT,

CHANDLER’S FORD

Am thrilled to say there will be a Book Fair at The Hilt, Chandler’s Ford on Saturday 8th July from 1.00 to 5.00 pm. Many local authors are taking part including Richard Hardie and myself. Do come along and say hello.

Good news: the event is free.

However, if you pre-book a ticket, your name will put into a raffle and you could win a £10 voucher to spend with one of the authors at the event (free book basically!).

For more on that, please go to https://www.tickettailor.com/events/hiltingburycommunityassociation/931076?fbclid=IwAR2hmxcL5Zp4pgkZd_ozaMn4U1QrGLHF37oW5oA-zNEUdpnEDMdHthfYmMU

There is also an event page on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/events/1179799816030117/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D

Hope to see you there!

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Tags: am reading, am writing, authors, book event, Book Fair, Book Fair at The Hilt, book signings, local authors

Author Interview: Gail Aldwin and The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell

June 30, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Gail Aldwin for supplying splendid author/book cover photos and the cover reveal mini video. All other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images.

It is with pleasure I welcome Gail Aldwin back to Chandler’s Ford Today. Gail is a prolific writer. As well as writing her coming of age novels including the lovely This Much Huxley Knows, Gail has written flash fiction. Her book, Paisley Shirt, was published by Chapeltown Books.

Gail has had pieces on CafeLit. Her latest book, The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell, takes a different direction. This psychological suspense novel will be published by Bloodhound Books on 3rd July. Gail will be holding a Twitter book launch (which is something I’ve not come across before and want to know more about!).

Tags: am reading, am writing, book launch, changing writing directions, dual timelines in a novel, Gail Aldwin, outlining, psychological suspense, The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell, Twitter book launch, writing journey

Part 2 – Francesca Tyer – Author Interview

June 23, 2023 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Francesca Tyer for her fabulous author and book photo pics. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

It is great to welcome back Francesca Tyer for Part 2 of her interview. Francesca is part of the Authors Reach stable and is the author of The Firestone, The Seastone, and, shortly to be launched, The Earthstone.

There is so much hard work behind writing any book, yet alone a series, and given most authors spend so much of their time at their desks, it is great to get away from that for a while to have an enjoyable discussion about writing and to spread the news about our latest works.

So welcome back to Chandler’s Ford Today, Francesca. Now to pick up from where we left off last week.

Tags: Authors Reach, book launch, creative writing, fantasy, fiction, Francesca Tyer, marketing, networking, outlining, The Earthstone, The Firestone, The Seastone, workshops, YA

Author Interview – Francesca Tyer – Part 1

June 16, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Francesca Tyer for her fabulous author and book photo pics. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

It is with great pleasure I welcome back Francesca Tyer to Chandler’s Ford Today. Francesca is one of many authors who are part of the Authors Reach stable (the driving creative force behind that is Richard Hardie, author of Leap of Faith and Trouble With Swords).

Tags: author interview, Authors Reach, book launch, Francesca Tyer, The Earthstone, The Firestone, The Seastone

Val Penny – Author Interview and News Update

June 9, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Val Penny for supplying author and book cover pictures and some wonderful shots of Edinburgh. Photos connected to The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick, were taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images were created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

It is with great pleasure I welcome Scottish crime writer, Val Penny, back to Chandler’s Ford Today.

Naturally, she has been busy since we last spoke and is now on the Committee for The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick as well.

Committee service is voluntary, but it can be rewarding. Most writers like to give back in some way. This is one way to do just that. The school couldn’t run without its volunteers.

So over to Val with the questions.

Tags: am reading, am writing, author news, classes, creative writing, crime fiction, detective series, fiction, publication news, Spellbound Books, The Writers' Summer School, Val Penny, workshops

To Outline or Not To Outline

June 2, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

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

Writers can fall into two categories – the planners and the pantsers. One lot plan out their writing while the other prefer to write “by the seat of their pants” so to speak. They get to their desk and just write.

But you can be both. Some writers will want to plan out, say, a novel, but don’t worry about doing this for their shorter forms of writing. I do both too. How does this work?

Tags: am writing, blogging, creative writing, creativity, fiction, flash fiction, non-fiction, outlining, pantsers, planners, planning, stories

Local Author News: Allison Symes – Spring 2023 Round Up

May 26, 2023 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Image Credits:-

Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. One image directly from Pixabay. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes. Photos from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick were taken by me, Allison Symes, or by kind colleagues using my phone!

It has been a busy few months since my last round up and that was only back in March!

Mind you, this is how it is supposed to be! The writing life is not a static one. Nor it is meant to be. So what has been going on writing wise for me recently?

Tags: Allison Symes, am writing, author news, author newsletter, creative writing, feedback, flash fiction, Friday Flash Fiction, Hiltingbury Book Fair, publication news, The Writers' Summer School, workshops, Writers' Narrative

The Joys and Pitfalls of Writing Research

May 19, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. One image from CFT archives.

Every writer has to carry out some research regardless of whether they write fiction or not. As I mentioned in my History in Stories post last week, the need for research crops up in every fictional genre. It perhaps is a more obvious need for the non-fiction writer.

Tags: am reading, am writing, crediting sources, fiction, joys of writing research, non-fiction, pitfalls of writing research, research

History in Stories

May 12, 2023 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. One image from the CFT archives.

The Coronation of King Charles III is the latest chapter in the story of kings and queens throughout our history. It was that thought which made me think of this topic for this week’s post. History turns up in fiction, as well as in non-fiction.

[Read more…] about History in Stories

Tags: am reading, am writing, cosy crime, historical fiction, history in other genres, history in stories, telling details. sagas, writing research

Review: Spring Trio – The Chameleon Theatre Group

May 5, 2023 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Image Credits:-

Images kindly supplied by The Chameleon Theatre Group. Many thanks to them. Screenshots were taken by me, Allison Symes. Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Two images from the Chandler’s Ford Today archives.

It was lovely to join Janet at Ritchie Hall to see Spring Trio, the latest production from The Chameleon Theatre Group, on 27th April. (This ran until 29th April). Spring Trio lives up to its name as the audience was presented with three plays, one of which was written by Matthew Meehan from the Chameleons. The plays were a mixture of comedy and drama. There were interesting twists too. All three plays made great use of simple sets and props.

Tags: amateur theatre, performances, review, Ritchie Hall, Spring Trio, The Chameleon Theatre Group, twists

How To Guides

April 28, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits: Most images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

I mentioned briefly in my Book Recommendations post last week I have used how-to-write guides (and still turn to them for reference when needed). I adore Stephen King’s On Writing, which is a great mix of memoir and writing advice. Many writers speak highly of it.

[Read more…] about How To Guides

Tags: am reading, am writing, books, Continuing Professional Development, creative writing books, how to guides, non-fiction, the Mslexia Indie Press Guide, the Writers and Artists Yearbook, writing advice, writing career advice

Book Recommendations

April 21, 2023 By Allison Symes 3 Comments

Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes. Image of Jane Austen from CFT archives (and originally from Pixabay).

Do you recommend books to others? I do sometimes, usually when chatting with other writers at an event over a cup of tea, and they recommend books to me. This is why all writers everywhere have an enormous To Be Read pile. They have an even bigger To Get Around to Reading at Some Stage pile. Don’t even ask what I’ve got waiting for me on my Kindle. Am just go glad electronic book shelves can’t collapse under the strain!

I blog once a week for Goodreads, the book website, and recommendations crop up all the time on there.

[Read more…] about Book Recommendations

Tags: am reading, am writing, book recommendations, criteria for book recommendations, fiction, genre fiction, Goodreads, non-fiction, reading well, writing well

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

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Allison Symes

Image Credits:-

Photos from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick were taken by me, Allison Symes. Many thanks to Julia Pattison for taking the image of me at my editing workshop. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

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Image Credits:-

Images taken by Allison Symes at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick. One image adapted in Book Brush for the Feature Image. Many thanks to Julia Pattison for taking the image of me just after my editing workshop. One image directly from PIxabay.

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A huge thank you to The Chameleons for supplying the photos though I have used Book Brush to turn one of them into a suitable Feature Image. Also thanks to them for permission to share quotes from the cast of Lilies on the Land.

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Image Credits: Most images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. One image directly from Pixabay. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

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And I would like to say the much missed Fiona Park, whom I knew from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick, took the picture of me signing books there with my handbag slung across my shoulder. Fiona was a lovely soul and she left this world far too early.

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A huge thanks to Vie Portland for supplying the poster for The Book Fair. (Look out for it in the area. I’ve seen it in the Post Office window!).

EVENT NEWS –

THE BOOK FAIR AT THE HILT,

CHANDLER’S FORD

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Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Gail Aldwin for supplying splendid author/book cover photos and the cover reveal mini video. All other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images.

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Many thanks to Francesca Tyer for her fabulous author and book photo pics. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

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Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Francesca Tyer for her fabulous author and book photo pics. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

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Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Val Penny for supplying author and book cover pictures and some wonderful shots of Edinburgh. Photos connected to The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick, were taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images were created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

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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 image directly from Pixabay. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes. Photos from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick were taken by me, Allison Symes, or by kind colleagues using my phone!

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Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. One image from CFT archives.

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Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. One image from the CFT archives.

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Image Credits:-

Images kindly supplied by The Chameleon Theatre Group. Many thanks to them. Screenshots were taken by me, Allison Symes. Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Two images from the Chandler’s Ford Today archives.

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Image Credits: Most images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes.

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Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes. Image of Jane Austen from CFT archives (and originally from Pixabay).

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

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