Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.
Is there such a thing as original fiction? Hmm… you may think that’s an odd question for me to ask and the answer to that must be “yes”.
fiction
Names In Fiction
Image Credits: Most images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Some directly from Pixabay. Book cover images from Chapeltown Books.
Names are as important in fiction as they are to us in life. Names give us a sense of who we are. They are a major part of our identity and names can reveal so much about ourselves.
Names can indicate someone’s likely social class, whether they’re traditionalists or not, and something of their family background too. Writers can play on that to help add depth to their characterisation. Names can also indicate the genre of a book. Well, you’re not going to find the likes of Frodo Baggins turn up in a Jane Austen novel, are you?
Imagery In Fiction
Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Book cover images supplied by Chapeltown Books and Bridge House Publishing.
They say that a picture is a thousand words but don’t discount those words. For one thing, one thousand words is a flash fiction story! An artist paints with oils, watercolours etc., whereas a writer paints with words. And those words can make a powerful impact on readers.
By inventing characters readers can identify with, we can use those characters to convey deep truths in what we get them to say and how we get them to act. We can also use those characters as representations. Allegorical tales are the classical example of this.
Human Behaviour In Fiction
Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.
One aspect of fiction, whatever its genre or length, is it does reflect on our behaviour. It isn’t flattering either, most of the time. The classic fairytales, for example, call evil out for what it is and the kind of evil shown in them (such as cruelty to step children) is something we see only far too often for real.
Stories tell us what we know. Even in the most fantastical of settings, there will be something we can identify with (otherwise, why would we read such things?).
And human behaviour is the direct reason for any story. We use stories to try to make sense of the world we know (and perhaps more than ever in crisis times such as the one we’re going through now with the situation in Ukraine).
Frameworks in Fiction
Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images directly from Pixabay.
The definition of framework is an essential supporting structure of a building, vehicle, or object. Well, that can be extended out to include stories. They need a structure to make them work.
Endings in Fiction
Image Credit: Most images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos though some are direct from Pixabay.
A story of whatever length has to have an opening which hooks the reader in but the closing line must deliver on the promise of the set-up at the start of the tale. Weak endings leave a reader feeling cheated (aka the “why did I bother reading that” scenario and no writer wants that).
Character Types in Fiction
Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Some images direct from Pixabay.
I’m sure this topic could go on for several weeks but I thought a whistlestop tour of some of the major character types you’re likely to come across would be fun.
Prep Work
Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.
There’s plenty of prep work going on I suspect by the time this post goes out. I hope your Christmas preparations are going well. (I’m in the middle of mine with my food shop due next week and baking still to be done but I’ll get there).
Back From Brechin
Image Credits:-
Some pictures are from Pixabay. Others are created in Book Brush using Pixabay images. Many thanks to Sarah Archibald for the Festival related photos.
Many thanks to my guests from the Association of Christian Writers for supplying their fab author photos and book cover pictures. Naturally I took my own pictures (though will credit Adrian Symes for my author photo. It is tricky doing that one yourself!).
It was a pleasure to be a part of the Brechin/Angus Book Festival from 19th to 21st November 2021. The event also formed part of Book Week Scotland.
Last year, I went to the Festival thanks to Zoom but it was lovely to be there in person this time, my first “big” writing event since before lockdown.
Book Lists
Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images (and the same goes for the video. I find Book Brush to be a very useful designing tool).
I make two book lists a year – one for a certain festival coming up in December (yes, Christmas, there I’ve said it!) and another for my birthday. Always great fun to get these together. It also means I’m easy to buy for (so that helps my better half). And I mix up my choice of format for books – paperback, Kindle, and sometimes audio.
Sayings – Their Uses in Fiction and Non-Fiction
Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos. Book cover image from Chapeltown Books.
This topic was inspired by last week’s post when I talked about Pinch, Punch, The First of the Month. I’ve often used well known sayings in my flash fiction. Sometimes I’ve used them as titles. Sometimes I’ve used them as themes. And I have written stories where the well known saying was both the title and theme.
[Read more…] about Sayings – Their Uses in Fiction and Non-Fiction
Introducing Maressa Mortimer – Being an Indie Author – Part 1
Image Credit:-
Many thanks to Maressa Mortimer for book cover pictures and author headshot photo.
Images for Creativity Matters: Find Your Passion for Writing kindly supplied by Wendy H Jones.
Most of the other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.
One of the joys of the writing life is meeting other authors. I met Maressa Mortimer via the Association of Christian Writers.
Maressa, who is originally from The Netherlands, and I, as well as meeting at ACW events, regularly meet on her Zoom event held most weeks where ACW writers get together to chat. It can be very funny and at times therapeutic. There is nobody like another author who understands when you have had a rough week.
Likewise, those same authors will rejoice with you when things go well. What goes around comes around in writing circles. Most authors are supportive of each other’s efforts. We know it is not an easy thing to do. We know marketing and drafting the next work is tiring (and invigorating). You do need a shoulder to cry on sometimes (yet another reason to network well and develop friendships).
[Read more…] about Introducing Maressa Mortimer – Being an Indie Author – Part 1
Part 2 – The Joys and Perils of Writing Humour – Fran Hill and Ruth Leigh
Image Credits:-
Many thanks to Fran Hill and Ruth Leigh for supplying author images and book cover photos. Also thanks to Ruth Leigh for sharing pictures of her garden (her character Isabella M Smugge would never let weeds be amongst the flowers! Just as well Isabella hasn’t seen my garden – she’d have a fit).
Other images are from Pixabay or from Book Brush using Pixabay photos.
I am delighted to welcome back to Chandler’s Ford Today Fran Hill and Ruth Leigh to continue their interview about writing humour.
Fran writes memoir. Her first book, Being Miss, was followed up by the wonderfully titled Miss, What Does Incomprehensible Mean?, which is my favourite title for 2020.
Ruth has written a marvellously funny and moving diary in The Diary of Isabella M Smugge and is working on its sequel.
So back to our conversation on writing humour…
[Read more…] about Part 2 – The Joys and Perils of Writing Humour – Fran Hill and Ruth Leigh
The Joys and Perils of Writing Humour Part 1 – Fran Hill and Ruth Leigh
I’m pleased to welcome back to Chandler’s Ford Today two of the funniest writers I know – Fran Hill and Ruth Leigh.
Fran’s second book, Miss, What Does Incomprehensible Mean?, ought to get some kind of award for most amusing title. The book (which is a memoir of life in the classroom) is both funny and moving.
Ruth has created a fabulous character in Isabella M Smugge (to rhyme with Bruge) in her debut novel, The Diary of Isabella M Smugge. Think Hyacinth Bucket deciding to write her own diary a la Adrian Mole. Great combination of ideas there. And Isabella’s exploits, while often laugh out loud funny, are also moving.
[Read more…] about The Joys and Perils of Writing Humour Part 1 – Fran Hill and Ruth Leigh
Local Author News – Allison Symes – Crossing Fiction and Non-Fiction
Image Credits:–
Some images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.
Many thanks to Wendy H Jones for supplying the book cover credits for Creativity Matters: Find Your Passion for Writing.
Many thanks to Gill James at Chapeltown Books for the cover pictures for The Best of CafeLit 10.
Screenshots of Mom’s Favorite Reads, Friday Flash Fiction, and new ACW Flash Fiction Group details were taken by me, Allison Symes.
This summer, I have been kept busy with more Zoom talks. I spoke again to the Dundee City Writers on 19th July and am due to speak to another Scottish group, Byre Writers, right at the end of the month.
This is made possible thanks to the wonders of Zoom and a huge thank you to both writing groups (as I know here and now Byre Writers will make me very welcome!).
I had a lovely time talking about short story writing to Dundee City Writers. I am looking forward to talking about flash fiction writing with the Byre Writers. And there has been plenty else going on too.
[Read more…] about Local Author News – Allison Symes – Crossing Fiction and Non-Fiction
Finding Themes
Image Credit: Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.
Themes, like story ideas, are all over the place. It is a question of having an open enough mind to spot them and then working out which ones you like best. Those are the ones you will put heart and soul into writing up.
Writing Prompts
I often use writing prompts to generate stories (standard length and flash fiction) and these come in a variety of forms.
Sometimes a prompt for fiction can be adjusted to generate ideas for future blog posts. (Before you ask, this isn’t the case for this one!).
Effectively, every writing competition with a set theme is a writing prompt – the theme is the prompt!
Understanding
Image Credit: All images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images.
One of the great roles of reading is it can encourage empathy, especially if your first choice for a good read is fictional.
Think about your favourite books (with their excellent covers, of course – see my recent series on those!).
Think about their characters. There will be characters you love to hate, or those you want to see overcome their difficulties and so on. What was it about those characters that made you feel that way (and a well portrayed character will make you feel something)?
Judging a Book by Its Cover – Part 3
This week I chat to authors from CafeLit, Bridge House Publishing, and Chapeltown Books about the importance of book covers. The variety of book covers is amazing but every writer has one thing in common. We all want our covers to be the best they can possibly be.
The three questions I set my guests were:-
1. What was the inspiration behind your book cover?
2. What do you think your book cover “says” to a potential reader?
3. Name one top tip for a great book cover you have found works for you.
Judging a Book by its Cover – Part 2
Whether you are traditionally published, self published, or combine the two, as many writers do now, there are two things everyone agrees about.
Everybody needs a good editor. (Nobody sees all the errors in their work. You are literally too close to it). The book cover must be well designed and draw readers in. It is the first advert for the book.
