I thought a lighthearted post would be appropriate as we head rapidly through August.
By the time this goes up, I will be on my way back from the Swanwick Writers’ Summer School, having had good opportunities to learn, meet old friends, make new ones, and come back buzzing with ideas and even more enthuasism for the projects I’ve got in mind over the next few months or so.
My mode of transport to and from Swanwick (oh and a replacement bus service too!) – Pixabay image
Naturally, I spent some time in the Book Room! (You’d need an industrial strength fishing net to haul any writer out of such a place – and be prepared for some strong language. What writer, of any genre, ever willingly leaves a book room, library, book shop etc? You only leave because you must!).
The front of The Hayes where Swanwick is held – image by Allison Symes
Here, however, I share books that should have been written and definitely weren’t in Swanwick’s Book Room. Hope you enjoy these and do send in contributions!
How to avoid Difficult Relationships by Anne Boleyn.
How to Successfully avoid Difficult Relationships by Anne of Cleves
Looks aren’t Everything by Frankenstein
Frankenstein could share his thoughts on looks! Pixabay image (I used this in my book trailer)
The Importance of Good Dentistry by Dracula
The Royal Guide to a Blissful Married Life by Henry VIII
The Sequel to the Royal Guide to a Blissful Married Life – Elizabeth 1
Shakespeare’s most famous patron but could she give her thoughts on the ideal married state? Pixabay image.
When Your Wand is Stuck on Pumpkins and Other Magical Dilemmas – Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother. (Also see the late, great, Terry Pratchett’s Witches Abroad for more on this).
A truly beautiful book – Pixabay image
The Importance of Punctuality – Cinderella
How to Make an Unforgettable Apple Pie – Snow White’s stepmother
Finding the Perfect Dress Whatever Your Shape – the Big Bad Wolf
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Looks aren’t Everything Volume 2 – The Ugly Duckling
Height isn’t Everything Either – Tom Thumb and Thumberlina
The Importance of Excellent Building Materials – The surviving one from the Three Little Pigs
Controlling Your Spindle – Sleeping Beauty
Finding the Right Locksmith for your Property – The Three Bears who then came up with a follow-up volume called Furniture Repairing for Beginners.
Puns welcome here – Pixabay image
I love things like this. The humour is dependent on knowing the “real” stories and the use of irony. (The great thing is even if you don’t know the stories well, the use of irony can help convey the meaning).
The Wikipedia article is an interesting one, taking a look at different forms of irony and some of the history besides it. To my mind, it is less blunt than sarcasm but makes it point better precisely because of that. Whenever I think of sarcasm, I think of my late mother’s saying that “sarcasm is the lowest form of wit”. The obvious retort to that is something along the lines of “how come you recognized it then?”! (Before you ask, yes I did say it and my mother laughed – I did time this carefully!).
I’ve not yet read a book in these conditions, have you – Pixabay image
Irony can be used to show a great deal about a character. (For example, how well educated they are. A well educated character could come up with comments about another that sails right above the head of those they are talking about and know they are doing so, which in itself is ironical! Can they insult someone who doesn’t even realize they ARE being verbally mocked? Yes!).
Jane Austen is widely revered, and will continue to be, for her use of irony especially in Pride and Prejudice. It is an ironical situation that someone so proud (Darcy) should fall for Elizabeth Bennett (who is prejudiced against him). This novel, when I studied it at school, was an eye opening moment for me in every sense when it came to appreciating irony in fiction. Irony doesn’t have to be subtle (though the best is and I think Jane was ahead of her time here).
Jane Austen
I also like irony because you either get it or you don’t. There is none of the “you must like this, it is really funny, everyone loves it” scenario. Unless a family member or good friend tells me that, I’m always on my guard when told this. Family and friends know my humour and yes, sure, what they’ve chosen will inevitably make me laugh, but the “everyone loves this so you must” attitude that does crop up irritates me. I’ll make my own mind up here thank you. But irony – you appreciate it or you don’t and I’m glad to be amongst those who do.
So what other books should have been written but have not been then?
Ripping Off Your Grain Merchant – I Con Cede
Really Fast Travel – S. Claus Esq
Keeping Your Hair in Tip Top Condition – Rapunzel
The Pharmacist’s Pet – Puss in Boots
Good reading here – Pixabay image
All You Need to Know about Walls – Humpty Dumpty
Gauging the Correct Food Portion Size – Oliver Twist
How to Deal with Unexpected Visitors at Night – Ebenezer Scrooge
Listening to books! Pixabay image
Dealing with Difficult Family Relationships – Hamlet
I'm a published flash fiction and short story writer, as well as a blogger. My fiction work has appeared in anthologies from Cafelit and Bridge House Publishing.
My first flash fiction collection, From Light to Dark and Back Again, was published by Chapeltown Books in 2017.
My follow-up, Tripping the Flash Fantastic, was published by Chapeltown Books in 2020.
I adore the works of many authors but my favourites are Jane Austen, P.G. Wodehouse and Terry Pratchett.
I like to describe my fiction as fairytales with bite.
I also write for Writers' Narrative magazine and am one of their editors. I am a freelance editor separately and have had many short stories published online and in anthologies.
How about a new edition of ‘The Queensbury Rules’ by Ben Stokes?
Perhaps a re-writing of ‘The Second Sex’ by Donald Trump. I wonder what Simone de Beauvoir would have thought of him?
Could Admiral Villeneuve have expanded on his message to his men as they set sail for Trafalgar ‘A l’eau, c’est l’heure’? He never got the opportunity.
Many thanks, Mike. Dread to think what Donald Trump would write in his version of The Second Sex, but I do think his would be a very short hook indeed!
How about a new edition of ‘The Queensbury Rules’ by Ben Stokes?
Perhaps a re-writing of ‘The Second Sex’ by Donald Trump. I wonder what Simone de Beauvoir would have thought of him?
Could Admiral Villeneuve have expanded on his message to his men as they set sail for Trafalgar ‘A l’eau, c’est l’heure’? He never got the opportunity.
Many thanks, Mike. Dread to think what Donald Trump would write in his version of The Second Sex, but I do think his would be a very short hook indeed!