Fran Hill

Part 2 – The Joys and Perils of Writing Humour – Fran Hill and Ruth Leigh

August 20, 2021 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

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.

Ruth Leigh. Image kindly supplied by her

So back to our conversation on writing humour…

Tags: creative writing. am writing, fiction, Fran Hill, memoir, Miss What Does Incomprehensible Mean?, Ruth Leigh, The Diary of Isabella M Smugge, writing humour

The Joys and Perils of Writing Humour Part 1 – Fran Hill and Ruth Leigh

August 13, 2021 By Allison Symes Leave a Comment

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.

Tags: Being Miss, creative writing, diary, fiction, Fran Hill, humorous writing, memoir, Miss What Does Incomprehensible Mean?, Ruth Leigh, The Diary of Isabella M Smugge, writing tips

Judging a Book by its Cover – Part 1

April 16, 2021 By Allison Symes 4 Comments

Judging a book by its cover is a well known saying. We do judge by looks, even when we know we shouldn’t.There is one realm where the saying is 100% accurate and 100% justified and that is for book covers.

For writers, a book cover is crucial to get right. We all want the best cover possible to showcase our stories.

A good book cover draws people in to read the book.

A bad book cover – people are unlikely to pick the book up to even see if the blurb might be of interest.

Feature Image – Part 1 Judging a Book by its Cover. Image created in Book Brush using Pixabay photo.

Tags: Association of Christian Writers, book covers, fiction, Fran Hill, Joy Margetts, Maressa Mortimer, publishing, Ruth Leigh, Wendy H Jones

Launches In Lockdown – Part 2

January 29, 2021 By Allison Symes 6 Comments

Welcome to Part 2 of my new series. I’m talking to various authors about the challenges they’ve faced launching books in lockdown.

As well as sharing my experiences (see last week’s post), I’ve talked with writers from the Association of Christian Writers, Authors Reach, Swanwick Writers’ Summer School, and Bridge House Publishing/CafeLit/Chapeltown Books.

Everyone agrees 2020 was extraordinarily challenging!

But books still needed to be launched.

Feature Image – Launches in Lockdown Part 2. Image created in Book Brush (using image from Pixabay)

Tags: book promotion, Covid, creative writing, Fran Hill, lockdown, online marketing, The Association of Christian Writers. Maressa Mortimer, Wendy H Jones

Fran Hill

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