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Allison Symes – Festive Writing and Round Up 2023

December 22, 2023 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits:-

A few this time! A huge thank you to Paula R.C. Readman, Debz Brown, Gill James, Nicole Fitton, Hannah Ruth Retallick, and Lynn Clement for supplying images of me reading at the Bridge House Publishing Celebration Event. Other photos from that event were taken by yours truly, Allison Symes, as were the screenshots. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. (Always tricky taking publicity shots of yourself as you’re trying to do the actual publicity work!).

There are a few things which have become almost like traditions for me in the run up to Christmas. Certainly they are lovely ways of finishing my writing year.

Tags: Allison Symes, am writing, Bridge House Publishing Celebration event, broadcast news, Cafelit, creative writing, festive flash fiction, Friday Flash Fiction, Hannah Kate, I Do I Don't by Allison Symes, North Manchester FM, publication news, The Christmas Tree Fairy by Allison Symes, Three Minute Santas flash fiction show, writing competitions

Introducing Rosemary Johnson – Wodka, or Tea with Milk: The Road to Publication

December 15, 2023 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Rosemary Johnson for supplying the original images of Poland, author and book cover pics, which I’ve adjusted a little using Book Brush. Other images were created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

It is always lovely to hear of friends’ publication news. I am so pleased to welcome Rosemary Johnson to Chandler’s Ford Today to share something of her writing journey with us, why persistence is such a useful quality in writing, and to tell us more about her book Wodka,or Tea With Milk.

Did you know that anything above fifty years old counts as historical now? That puts me in the historical “bin” for a start but for fiction, this applies to settings. The idea behind this is to take readers out of the events of their lifetime.

Rosemary’s book is set against the backdrop of the Solidarity movement in Poland in the 1980s and is just “outside” the historical fiction category if you follow the 50 years “rule”. Given I remember watching the news about Solidarity, I would have sworn it was long enough ago to count as historical but apparently not quite, again if you follow the 50 years “rule”.

Tags: Association of Christian Writers, author interview, book release, creative writing, modern historical fiction, publication news, Rosemary Johnson, The Conrad Press, the road to publication, Wodka or Tea With Milk

Getting the Most out of Themes

December 8, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credit: Images created via Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Book cover images from Chapeltown Books

Themes are the bedrock of any story told in any form (play, flash, novel, novella, short story et al).

Tags: am writing, creative writing, themes, writing advice, writing tips, writing to themes

Flying an Autogyro

December 4, 2023 By Mike Sedgwick 4 Comments

An autogyro is a strange flying machine resembling a helicopter but has no engine power to the rotor. Forward thrust is provided by a conventional propellor, usually mounted at the back. There are no wings; lift is provided by the rotor blades. Power for rotation comes from the wind moving through the rotor, like a child’s windmill. I set out to fly in one.

To get the autogiro into the air, its propellor pushes the machine forward, and the slipstream flows through the backwards tilted rotor. When the rotor is up to speed, it is tilted slightly forward to provide upward lift. Because the rotor blades are long and heavy, it takes a while to get them going. Modern machines have a flexidrive from the engine to start them off. The drive is disconnected when the rotor is up to speed, about 200 rpm. [Read more…] about Flying an Autogyro

Tags: adventure, Hampshire, hobby, how-to, nature, social, storytelling, travel

Christmas Message by Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford – 2023

December 4, 2023 By Churches Together in Chandler's Ford Leave a Comment

‘Opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts…’ (Matthew 2:11)

I wonder what sort of gift-giver you are? Do you have creative ideas, effortlessly putting together fun, interesting and unique Christmas presents for your loved ones? Maybe you reflect on each person on your list and come up with perfectly personalised gifts? Perhaps you’re on the other end of the spectrum and pick up random items, in blind panic, on Christmas Eve? Most people are probably somewhere in the middle, working their way through a list of names and doing their best to find a meaningful gift.

As I have been re-reading the Christmas story this year the above words from the bible have stuck in my mind. They come from the story of the wise men who found the baby Jesus at the end of their journey. Filled with joy they bowed down, paid homage and opened their treasure-chests, and offered him gifts… The wise men lived in turbulent times and were overwhelmed with joy in finding the new king who would rule with God’s justice and bring peace.

Willow tree nativity set - from Rev Hayley Richens — Willow tree nativity set – from Rev Hayley Richens

Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, Christianity, Christmas, church, churches together, community, history, local interest, religion, tradition

Chandler’s Ford Christmas Postbox Toppers on Display

December 3, 2023 By SO53 News 3 Comments

Thank you for the crafters who are getting in the Christmas spirit in a creative way – with knitted or crocheted postbox toppers across Chandler’s Ford.

Many locals have shared their joy on spotting these on social media.

One of them features the words Chnadlers Ford u3a.

Tags: arts and crafts, celebrations, Chandler’s Ford community, Christmas, event, good neighbours, learning, local interest, u3a

The Posada Journey

December 2, 2023 By Christine Clark 1 Comment

“Mary and Joseph played with my Barbie dolls. But they didn’t have Santa hats to wear.” Alys, aged six, and her brother Jamie, three, were just two of the children who took part in the local Posada journey here in Chandler’s Ford. This annual event is become increasingly common in the weeks of Advent, as we prepare for Christmas.

"Welcome Mary & Joseph to stay at your place" - from Church of England website — “Welcome Mary & Joseph to stay at your place” – from Church of England website

The journey involves the nativity figures of Mary and Joseph, who will later adorn the crib in church during the Christmas season. The idea is that they make their way around the area, staying in people’s homes, usually for one night, before they move – or are moved – on. Families and individuals sign up for a roster so that the holy couple is passed from home to home each day. [Read more…] about The Posada Journey

Tags: Chandler's Ford, Christianity, Christmas, church, community, event, good neighbours, religion, St. Boniface Church, storytelling

Remember, Remember: Author Interview – Richard Hardie

December 1, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Richard Hardie for supplying author pics and book cover shots. Screenshots taken by me, Allison Symes, as was the photo of Richard Hardie at the Book Fair at The Hilt in 2023. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Authors Reach logos taken from previous CFT articles (again thanks to Richard for those).

Back in February, I had the pleasure of interviewing Richard Hardie about his forthcoming book, Remember, Remember, the third in his Temporal Detective Series.

The series is aimed at Young Adults. I am glad to say that many of us who no longer quality in that category, and have been excluded for some time, also find these books a fantastic and enjoyable read. One of the joys of Young Adult fiction is that it makes an excellent gateway into adult fiction – and that gateway can work both ways!

Tags: Authors Reach, book launch, creative writing, Leap of Faith, marketing, new book, Remember Remember, Richard Hardie, Temporal Detective Agency, Trouble With Swords

The Mosque

November 28, 2023 By Mike Sedgwick 1 Comment

A group of us from U3A visited the Masjid Abu Bakr (Masjid means Mosque) in St Marys, Southampton. St Marys boasts three mosques within 150 yards of each other. This one caters for 1000 of the 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide.

Why would a group of elderly Christians visit a mosque, particularly in times like these? All of us were brought up in the Christian tradition, some practising, some C of E by default, some, like the author, with no religious belief and others hovering between – the agnostics. Curiosity united us. We were invited to remove our shoes and the ladies covered their hair.

We were met by the ‘verger’ who explained the five pillars of Islam; the obligatory rituals and practices of all Muslims. The Shahada – the creed “I bear witness that there is no deity but God…” equivalent to the Apostles’ Creed. Salah – the practice of prayer, five times a day while facing Mecca. Zakat – almsgiving, set at 2.5% of what you have remaining after meeting your household expenses. Sawm – fasting during the month of Ramadan and, finally, the Hajj – a pilgrimage to Mecca to be made once in a lifetime by all who can afford it. [Read more…] about The Mosque

Tags: culture, faith, Islam, religion, Southampton, storytelling, tradition, u3a

70 Years of Selwood Christmas Tree in Chandler’s Ford

November 26, 2023 By SO53 News 11 Comments

Selwood Christmas tree 2023 - image by Jill Mayes — Selwood Christmas tree 2023 – image by Jill Mayes

When is Christmas coming? In Chandler’s Ford, it’s when the Selwood Christmas tree is up.

The Selwood Christmas tree has been lighting up Chandler’s Ford since 1953. It’s been 70 years. Thank you Selwood for doing this every year, and keeping this wonderful tradition alive for the joy of the local community. [Read more…] about 70 Years of Selwood Christmas Tree in Chandler’s Ford

Tags: Bournemouth Road, Chandler's Ford, Christmas, community, history, local businesses, local interest, memory

Editing Tips

November 24, 2023 By Allison Symes 5 Comments

Image Credits:-

Most images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. A huge thank you to Julia Pattison for taking the image of me at my editing workshop at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick. Screenshot taken by me, Allison Symes. Book cover images from Chapeltown Books.

I love editing, almost as much as I love creative writing. There is nothing to beat the initial creative spark and the satisfaction of getting your draft down on screen or paper (though I admit I’ve written directly to screen for some time now). But editing that work, improving it, giving it a much better chance “out there” is also a joy.

[Read more…] about Editing Tips

Tags: am writing, creative writing, editing, editing tips, paper editing, prep work, purposes of editing, screen editing, working with an editor

Apostrophe Catastrophe

November 19, 2023 By Mike Sedgwick 8 Comments

How come the little apostrophe should become a headline in the National Press? Because Councillor Bronk asked the assembled Winchester Council about a road sign in Twyford:

St Marys Terrace

St Mary’s Terrace?

The assembled council, bless’em, got the answer wrong. Is it a terrace belonging to St Mary or a terrace named after St Mary? That gives you the answer.

It’s the same with Chandlers Ford, the name of a suburb of Eastleigh, not a ford belonging to Mr Chandler. [Read more…] about Apostrophe Catastrophe

Tags: culture, language, news, writing

Triggering Writing Ideas

November 17, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. One image directly from Pixabay.

As I write a lot of flash fiction and short stories, as well as posts like this, I always need to find ways of coming up with ideas. It is also sensible to have a variety of methods to find ideas because (a) it keeps things interesting for you as the writer and (b) you don’t run the risk of becoming stale.

Why the latter? If you only use one or two methods to trigger ideas, at some point you will find the well you draw from dries up! Your wells of inspiration need to be topped up continually and using different ways to come up with ideas helps with that. Also this approach gives you spare wells! That to my mind is always a good idea in itself. It also keeps you on your creative toes, which is another good thing.

Tags: am reading, am writing, competitions, creative writing, Flash NANO, prompt books, prompts, random generators, reading, triggering writing ideas

Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford 12th November 2023

November 12, 2023 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

The service for Remembrance Sunday in Chandler’s Ford was lead by Rev Penny Thatcher. The Mayor’s representative was Counceller Bruce Tennent.

Debbie Pearce from Debbie Pearce Photography has kindly shared some photographs of the Remembrance Service at the Chandler’s Ford War Memorial with the community. She has captured pictures of the parade on Hursley Road and the service at St. Boniface Church. Thank you Debbie.

Remembrance Sunday - at St Boniface Church — Remembrance Sunday – at St Boniface Church

Chandler's Ford War Memorial — Chandler’s Ford War Memorial

Credit: All photos Debbie Pearce Photography.

Tags: community, culture, Eastleigh Borough Council, education, history, Hursley Road, Information Chandler’s Ford community, local interest, memory, Remembrance Sunday, St. Boniface Church, war memorial

Lest We Forget

November 11, 2023 By SO53 News 2 Comments

Lest we forget.

You may have seen these beautiful crochet and knitted postbox toppers for Remembrance commemorations. They are on Ashdown Road and Bournemouth Road in Chandler’s Ford.

Thank you for those who made these. People have been talking about them and admiring them.

[Read more…] about Lest We Forget

Tags: Armistice Day, Bournemouth Road, Chandler's Ford, good neighbours, Hiltingbury, remembering, Remembrance Sunday

The Importance of Remembering

November 10, 2023 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. One image directly from Pixabay and used on previous CFT post.

Remembering matters. There are some things we dare not forget. I believe in the truth of the saying those who forget history are destined to relive it. It is an honour and privilege to join in with the Acts of Remembrance for Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday. The television and radio coverage is moving (as it should be).

Tags: Armistice Day, remembering, Remembrance Sunday, the Imperial War Museum, the war artists, the war poets

Stories Based On Stories

November 3, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Images of book covers from Bridge House Publishing. Many thanks to Dawn Kentish Knox and Paula R C Readman for their images of me at previous Bridge House Publishing Celebration events. Am looking forward to trying to get some more photos – the event is a great way to celebrate books out.

I was sorry to hear The Chameleon Theatre Group had to cancel their production of Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters (based on the play written by Stephen Briggs who wrote the Discworld plays with Terry Pratchett’s blessing).

As well as looking forward to seeing my first Discworld play, I was especially looking forward to this story as it is a strong one and a classic example of a wonderful tale based on another one. Wyrd Sisters is based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth but with the Discworld version, it is the witches (Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick) who are the heroines.

Tags: am reading, am writing, books as inspiration, creative writing, stories based on other stories, why writers write

Scene Setting

October 27, 2023 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Image Credits: Most images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Northumberland photo taken by me, Allison Symes. Images of my book covers from Chapeltown Books.

Scene setting is one of the invisible “tools” a writer uses to make a convincing story though it can apply to non-fiction work too. What it involves is working out what a reader needs to know and then figuring out the best way of getting that across.

[Read more…] about Scene Setting

Tags: am reading, am writing, creative writing, description to set scenes, dialogue to set scenes, locations to set scenes, scene setting, writing advice

Author Interview: Jennifer C Wilson – The Joy of Writing Groups and Workshops

October 20, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Jennifer C Wilson for author/book/writing circle pictures. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Screenshots and images from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick taken by me, Allison Symes.

It is with great pleasure I welcome back Jennifer C Wilson to Chandler’s Ford Today. Jennifer is the writer of the Kindred Spirits series which crosses history with ghost stories. She also writes historical and romantic fiction (The Warrior’s Prize, The Last Plantagenet amongst others) and has written non-fiction book too (A Novel Approach). She has also contributed to many anthologies.

Jennifer also runs a writing group – the North Tyneside Writers’ Circle (NTWC) – so for this post, we will look at the joys and hard work behind doing that and why groups can be so beneficial to writers, regardless of where they are “at” in their writing journey. There is also a National Association of Writers’ Groups – individuals as well as groups can join. I share the link further down.

Tags: am reading, am writing, Black Coals White Sand, contributing to a writing group, creative writing, Jennifer C Wilson, Kindred Spirits, making the most of a writing group, North Tyneside Writers' Circle, workshop preparation, workshops, writing development, writing exercises, writing group anthologies, writing groups, writing support

Author Interview: Val Penny – Hunter’s Secret, Advice on Writing a Series, and Blog Tours

October 13, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits:- Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Many thanks to Val Penny for supplying book and author photos and some fabulous shots of Edinburgh. Photos of The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick were taken by me, Allison Symes.

It is always a joy to welcome authors to Chandler’s Ford Today and it is especially lovely to welcome back Scottish crime writer, Val Penny. I interviewed Val in June. She is a busy soul with a new book out and a new role at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick as well.

She also has huge experience of blog tours which form a major marketing “foundation” for many authors when it comes to launching new books. More on that shortly. Val’s latest book is Hunter’s Secret, the latest in her fabulous DCI Hunter Wilson series (also known as the Edinburgh Crime Mysteries so no prizes for guessing where the setting is!).

Tags: advice on writing a book series, blog tour, book launch, crime fiction, Hunter's Secret, preparing for publication day, publication news, Spellbound Books, The Writers' Summer School at Swanwick, Val Penny, writing series

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Many thanks to Rosemary Johnson for supplying the original images of Poland, author and book cover pics, which I’ve adjusted a little using Book Brush. Other images were created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

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Image Credit: Images created via Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Book cover images from Chapeltown Books

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Image Credits:-

Most images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. A huge thank you to Julia Pattison for taking the image of me at my editing workshop at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick. Screenshot taken by me, Allison Symes. Book cover images from Chapeltown Books.

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Image Credits: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. One image directly from Pixabay.

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Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. One image directly from Pixabay and used on previous CFT post.

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Image Credits: Most images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Northumberland photo taken by me, Allison Symes. Images of my book covers from Chapeltown Books.

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Image Credits:-

Many thanks to Jennifer C Wilson for author/book/writing circle pictures. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Screenshots and images from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick taken by me, Allison Symes.

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Image Credits:- Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Many thanks to Val Penny for supplying book and author photos and some fabulous shots of Edinburgh. Photos of The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick were taken by me, Allison Symes.

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