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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

Fungus Forage at IVCP

October 8, 2023 By chippy minton Leave a Comment

Itchen Valley Country Park held a Fungus Foraging event this week. I saw the advertisement for the event at about the same time as I saw this news story and thought I would go along to make sure I knew what I was eating.

The forage was led by John Wright, who is an expert on all things mycological. Anyone who watched the original series of River Cottage may remember him from that. He was very interesting and entertaining, and gave a lot of insights into the recognition of different fungi, and their life patterns. There are over 15,000 different species of fungi in the UK – that compares to about 3,500 plants. [Read more…] about Fungus Forage at IVCP

Tags: countryside, itchen valley country park, IVCP, nature

The Writing Community

October 6, 2023 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits:-

Most images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Many thanks to Julia Pattison for taking the image of me at my editing workshop at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick. Many thanks to Wendy H Jones for supplying the Writers’ Narrative image (which I’ve added text to). Screenshot taken by me, Allison Symes.

One of the joys of the writing community is it is supportive. Given most of the time you are at your desk, writing alone, having your fair share of rejections or not hearing back on competition entries and so on, that support is wonderful and vital. We all need a lift at times.

As well as writing events and conferences, which are fabulous ways to get to know other writers, there are a number of writing communities online. There are monthly groups which meet up in person such as the Hampshire Writers’ Society, which meets in Winchester.

Tags: advice, Alliance of Independent Authors, am reading, am writing, Continuing Professional Development, Hampshire Writers' Society, networking, the writing community, tips, Writer Beware, writing scam information

Quizzing Your Characters

September 29, 2023 By Allison Symes 2 Comments

Image Credits:-

Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Screenshot re Hannah Kate’s Hannah’s Bookshelf show on North Manchester FM was taken by me, Allison Symes.

I can guess what you’re thinking. How can you quiz characters, which are literally figments of my imagination?

Fair point but I find it a useful way to work out what my characters are made of before I put them into a story. I need to know who they are before I work out what they’re going to be getting up to in my flash fiction or short stories.

Tags: am reading, am writing, characterisation, interviewing characters, outlining, pantsers, planning your characters, plotters, working out what you need to know about your characters

Favourite Supporting Characters

September 22, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

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

Supporting characters in stories have much the same role as supporting actors do. Without them, the story is incomplete. They add richness and depth to a story too, especially if they are involved in the sub-plots in novellas and novels. But their task is to either help or hinder the lead characters in their task. They don’t overshadow the leading character either.

For a villainous character, their supporting character can help increase the difficulties faced by the hero/heroine. That in turn increases the tension in the story and the risks of failure for the hero/heroine. For a more noble character, their supporting characters can help them achieve their objective quicker and limit the risks faced by the lead and increase their chances of success.

Tags: am reading, am writing, characterisation, Discworld, favourite supporting characters, Frodo Baggins, planning your characters, Poirot and Hastings, Sam Gamgee, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, the importance of secondary characters, The Lord of the Rings

Getting Lines Right

September 15, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

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

Writers are often advised, rightly so, to study renowned books with famous opening lines. The idea is to demonstrate an excellent opening line which will hook the reader with an intriguing premise, an interesting character and/or setting, and so the reader will read on to find out what happens.

[Read more…] about Getting Lines Right

Tags: 1984, A Tale of Two Cities, am writing, Charles Dickens, creative writing, dilemmas and questions as starting points, encouraging readers, fiction, George Orwell, getting lines right, Jane Austen, opening lines, Pride and Prejudice, rehearsals, The Chameleon Theatre Group

The Benefits of Creativity

September 8, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

There are so many benefits to creativity, regardless of which type you enjoy. I admire those who can knit, crochet, draw etc as I can not do those things myself and there are so many beautiful examples of each. I admire the skill and the resulting works.

I appreciate music, especially classical, while not playing it. I also believe there is a form of creativity for everyone. It is a question of finding the one (or more if you are lucky) which suits you. In my case that is creative writing.

Tags: AI, am reading, am writing, benefits of creativity, creative writing, keeping the brain active, musical creativity

Autumnal Joys

September 1, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

Image Credits: Many images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Photos from my church harvest display and from the wildflower meadow taken by me, Allison Symes. Real joy to take them too! Photography is a wonderful thing.

I am fond of the autumn season. Crisp air, the changing colours of the leaves (including on the Virginia Creeper which I see a lot of on my walks), the joy of coming in from a brisk walk with the dog to enjoy a hot chocolate while she tucks into a dog biscuit or two. It is the simple pleasures after all.

[Read more…] about Autumnal Joys

Tags: am reading, am writing, autumn, Autumnal Workout by Allison Symes, flash fiction, Flash NANO, the joys of autumn, the writing season, wildflower meadow

Writing Exercises

August 25, 2023 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

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

I set writing exercises for a flash fiction group I lead online for the Association of Christian Writers. I base these on topic. For example, I have led a session on titles so the exercises there were to brainstorm title ideas, following tips I shared on how to do that.

I am often set writing exercises in workshops I go to as a delegate.

[Read more…] about Writing Exercises

Tags: am reading, am writing, creative writing, fiction, writing craft, writing exercises

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

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

A Parish Newsletter from Days Gone By

July 2, 2023 By Christine Clark 5 Comments

I recently had the opportunity to see the original of the St Boniface Monthly Parish Paper of March 1943. I was only allowed to handle it wearing gloves and then only briefly. Fortunately, its owner was kind enough to send me a scan of it, which I have read avidly, delighting in a piece of our parish history.

I imagine this was the forerunner of the parish magazine. It is just 4 pages, sized something near A5 (although in old imperial sizing, of course) and is priced 1d. There is a lot in it of interest to present-day readers.

It starts with an inspirational motto from Psalm 127 and then lists the names of the Vicar (Rev. Harold Fryer), churchwardens, PCC secretary and treasurer. It then outlines the Sunday services for the month. There are three services each Sunday with 8am Holy Communion and Evensong every Sunday, and Sung Eucharist and Mattins alternate Sundays.
The letter from the Vicar is next, where he encourages people to prepare for Lent. He also outlines his plans to change the schedule of Sunday services. [Read more…] about A Parish Newsletter from Days Gone By

Tags: Chandler's Ford, church, history, local interest, memory, St. Boniface Church

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

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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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Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Screenshot re Hannah Kate’s Hannah’s Bookshelf show on North Manchester FM was taken by me, Allison Symes.

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Image Credit: 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.

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Image Credits: Many images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Photos from my church harvest display and from the wildflower meadow taken by me, Allison Symes. Real joy to take them too! Photography is a wonderful thing.

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

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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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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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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

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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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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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