Fairytales with Bite
  • Home/Interviews
  • From Light to Dark
  • Blog
  • Chandlers Ford Today
  • News
  • ANTHOLOGIES
  • Biography - The Trouble With Mother
    • Biography - Short Stories
    • The Trouble With Mother Behind the Scenes
  • Alfie Dog - Allison Symes author page
  • Alfie Dog Bites - Fantasy Dinner Party Guests by Allison Symes
  • Bridge House Publishing
  • Cafe Lit
  • Cafe Lit Blog - Allison Symes stories
  • Cafe Lit - A Day Out by Allison Symes
  • External Link - ironpress.co.uk
  • External Link - Lulu.com
  • External Link - Shortbread Short Stories
  • All About Eileen
    • Eileen's Definitions >
      • Eileen's Definitions - 2
      • Eileen's Definitions - 3
      • Eileen's Definitions - 4
      • Eileen's Definitions - 5
      • Eileen's Definitions - 6
      • Eileen's Definitions - 7
      • Eileen's Definitions - 8
      • Eileen's Definitions - 9
      • Eileen's Definitions - 10
      • Eileen's Definitions - 11
      • Eileen's Definitions - 12
      • Eileen's Definitions - 13
    • All About Jenny
    • All About the Fairy Queen, Roxannadrell
    • All About the Chief Witch
    • All About L'Evallier
    • All About Hanastrew
    • All About Melanbury
    • All about Rodish
    • All About Brankaresh
    • All About Roherum
    • All About Wes (Whespy)
    • All About Stan (Stanrock)
    • All About Isabel
    • All About Fresdian
  • Fairy Kingdom Definitions
    • Fairy Kingdom Definitions - 2
    • Fairy Kingdom Definitions - 3
    • Fairy Kingdom Definitions - 4
    • Fairy Kingdom Definitions - 5
    • Fairy Kingdom Definitions - 6
    • Fairy Kingdom Definitions - 7
    • Fairy Kingdom Definitions - 8
    • Fairy Kingdom Definitions - 9
    • Fairy Kingdom Definitions - 10
  • The Rules of Magic
    • The Rules of Magic - 2
    • The Rules of Magic - 3
    • The Rules of Magic - 4
    • The Rules of Magic - 5
    • The Rules of Magic - 6
    • The Rules of Magic - 7
    • The Rules of Magic - 8
    • The Rules of Magic - 9
    • The Rules of Magic - 10
    • The Rules of Magic - 11
    • The Rules of Magic - 12
    • The Rules of Magic - 13
    • The Rules of Magic - 14
    • The Rules of Magic - 15
    • The Rules of Magic - 16
    • The Rules of Magic - 17
    • The Rules of Magic - 18
    • The Rules of Magic - 19
    • The Rules of Magic - 20
    • The Rules of Magic - 21
    • The Rules of Magic - 22
    • The Rules of Magic - 23
    • The Rules of Magic - 24
    • The Rules of Magic - 25
    • The Rules of Magic - 26
    • The Rules of Magic - 27
    • The Rules of Magic - 28
    • The Rules of Magic - 29
  • Fairy Kingdom Survival Tips
  • Further Fairy Kingdom Survival Tips
    • Further Fairy Kingdom Survival Tips - 2
    • Further Fairy Kingdom Survival Tips - 3
    • Further Fairy Kingdom Survival Tips - 4
    • Further Fairy Kingdom Survival Tips - 5
    • Further Fairy Kingdom Survival Tips - 6
    • Further Fairy Kingdom Survival Tips - 7
    • Further Fairy Kingdom Survival Tips - 8
    • Further Fairy Kingdom Survival Tips - 9
    • Further Fairy Kingdom Survival Tips - 10
    • Further Fairy Kingdom Survival Tips - 11
  • Kingdom History
    • Kingdom History - 1
    • Kingdom History - 2
    • Kingdom History - 3
    • Kingdom History - 4
    • Kingdom History - 5
    • Kingdom History - 6
    • Kingdom History - 7
    • Kingdom History - 8
    • Kingdom History - 9
    • Kingdom History - 10
  • The Kingdom's Guide to Approaching Other Species
    • The Kingdom's Guide to Approaching Other Species Part 2
  • What the Kingdom Would Like To See
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 2
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 3
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 4
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 5
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 6
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 7
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 8
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 9
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 10
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 11
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 12
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 13
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 14
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 15
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 16
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 17
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 18
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 19
    • What the Kingdom Would Like To See 20
  • Appropriate Songs for My Characters
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 2
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 3
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 4
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 5
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 6
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 7
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 8
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 9
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 10
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 11
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 12
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 13
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 14
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 15
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 16
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 17
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 18
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 19
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 20
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 21
  • Contact Form

WHAT MY CHARACTERS WOULD DO AS HOBBIES - 3

31/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Derek
Derek is the gardener’s gardener.  He is out in all weathers.  He gets all the magazines, watches and listens to all the gardening programmes.  He spends so much time in his greenhouse Eileen times meals around gaps in Derek’s schedule when she knows she won’t have any problem persuading him to come in for something to eat.  Coffee is Derek’s other great love.  Passion he saves for Eileen, despite his tendency to arthritis in his knees.  He likes a good film and is fond of Star Trek and sci-fi productions.  He really loves Eileen so when he finds out what she really is her “betrayal” hits him hard.  He likes normal lives, things being what they’re supposed to be.  He’s devoted to Jenny and Eddie and gets on very well with his son-in-law, Paul, much to Eileen’s disapproval. Derek is not  above winding her up when he feels she’s merited it!

Paul
Paul likes gardening, movies, passionately loves Jenny and equally passionately loathes his mother-in-law.  Paul and Jenny are into all kinds of music (most of which Eileen looks down on, added reason to like it  as far as Paul’s concerned).  Paul takes to fatherhood well and adores his son.  He loves playing with Eddie’s toys as well as with Eddie!  And for Eddie, bathtime isn’t bathtime unless Dad’s doing it.  Dad seems to understand the need to get water all over the place unlike Mum.  Paul enjoys driving, gets on very well with his father-in-law (whom he pities) though Paul is conscious that if Eileen weren’t around, he would miss baiting her so that counts as a hobby too!  Paul likes wildlife (except squirrels who keep destroying bird feeders as Greyfur would be the first to testify).
_
0 Comments

WHAT MY CHARACTERS WOULD DO AS HOBBIES - 2

30/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Hanastrew
Hanastrew doesn’t get much time for hobbies thanks to the demands of her job though her devotion to truly good food is renowned t horughout the Kingdom.  She has no time for salads and all the time in every known world for chocolate eclairs.  Thankfully her job is so demanding she can eat  as much as she likes as she burns everything she eats.  Still it’s better than lettng those nasty dragons do the burning up!  She’s a reluctant reader, thinks etiquette a complete waste of everyone’s time and it comes as no surprise to anyone in the Kingdom that Eileen was Hanastrew’s mentor and heroine.  Hanastrew is keen on keeping the squad ready for any emergency so she does a certain amount of magical keep fit with them on a semi-regular basis.  She likes to be ready for anything...


Brankaresh
Brankaresh’s main hobby is working out  a way of getting extra powers for himself.  Marrying the Queen falls into that category.  The fact he does fancy her is a bonus but Manatrix has realised his foe would hump a gargoyle if it got Brankaresh  more power.  Brankaresh’s other pastime is getting rid of foes without it seeming as if they have been got rid of, something Manatrix knew but couldn’t prove and sadly he himself goes on to become another victim.  Brankaresh reads in depth when it suits him and likes to know all there is to be known about his Council colleagues, mainly planning to use it against them.  Brankaresh is intelligent and charming but has no time for feminism and absolutely loathes Eileen, who returns the feeling.  Brankaresh’s main concern, main interest is only for himself.
_
0 Comments

WHAT MY CHARACTERS WOULD DO AS HOBBIES

29/1/2014

0 Comments

 
The Queen
The Fairy Queen would research old spells and magic found on other worlds in case she could think of a use for it - and she would find a use!  She likes music, her favourite kind being fanfares.  After all it is what she’s most used to hearing!  She likes fine art - her ancestors have collected so much of it the Queen feels it’s obligatory to take an interest in it.

Eileen
Eileen just wants to do anything human so gardening is high on her list.   It’s also Derek’s passion (other than herself!) and she loves spending time with him so both are well weathered, both have had their fair share of being torn to shreds by awkward plants that really don’t want to be moved or removed.  Eileen likes nice food and drink too.

Jenny
Jenny loves books though has gone off fantasy somewhat since discovering her mother’s past.  Fairy tales no longer seem so sweet, given actual fairies are far from perfect beings.  She also loves music in a wide range of styles.  Her passions she saves for Paul and chocolate.  This woman has her head screwed on the right way!  And when Eddie comes along, Jenny reads every parenting book and magazine she can get her hands on.  Jenny also regularly reads her Bible notes and is particularly fond of the Psalms.

The Chief Witch
The Chief Witch doesn’t enjoy hobbies.  She sees her job as spreading terror and destruction and trying to grab the Fairy Kingdom throne as one great big hobby.  Why seek anything else?  Though to be fair the Witch has got spying to an art form.

L'Evallier and Melanbury
L’Evallier and Melanbury would consider it common to have hobbies as such but there is very little they do not know about fine art, books, wine - anything fine really.  Melanbury, when with Hanastrew, would allow herself to listen to whatever music her friend is listening to but would never do so if her husband was about nor would she reveal what she had heard to him. Girly gossip with Hanastrew is an unofficial hobby for Melanbury as there is no way L’Evallier would understand his wife’s need not to be posh all the time.  L’Evallier reads an amazing amount of state papers, current day and historical, so does not read much for pleasure.  He does enjoy brisk walks in the Palace gardens.  It’s also amazing what conversations you can overhear when others go walking out there so he finds it useful on those grounds too.
0 Comments

General

29/1/2014

0 Comments

 
News Stories
When using news stories as inspiration for your work, make sure this is a starting point.  You need to take the idea and run with it to make it uniquely your own.  This also avoids trouble with plagarism or accusations you’re using a tragedy for your own ends (and sadly it tends to be tragedies in the news).  But the What If question is relevant as you see, for example, how someone in the news reacts and you have a character in mind and you ask yourself would they do the same or would their reaction be different? 

Knowing Your Characters
Always make sure you know why your characters are the way they are, why their reactions are the way they are and this makes sense (if only to the character).  Even fantasy worlds have rules… •

Other Worlds
How does your fantasy world react to other worlds?  Is there communication or do they keep an aloof distance?  Do they study life on other planets?  Are the ones they study aware of it?  If the study “victims” don’t know, how does your world ensure they study without being detected?

Your Own Experiences -
Make sure when you use things from your own experience that everything you use you are happy to see in print (hopefully achieved!) and that nothing can come back to haunt you.  Generally speaking it is best to, for example, use feelings and then get your characters to expand them and take them in a direction appropriate for them and the story rather than get your character to reflect everything that actually happened to you.  Real life experiences should be treated like chilli powder - use very sparingly.  Also as I’ve said before it is your characters that matter, not how you feel, what happened to you and so on.  Characters should reflect, not copy exactly.  The irony is that so often real life things tend to sound not real in fiction.  There’s a reason for the saying truth is stranger than fiction…  what you seek in your fiction is the sense of truth.  You want folk to think yes, that could be.  And don’t lay it on thick with a trowel.  People will see through that. 
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 28

26/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Eileen - Poison Arrow – something Eileen’s tempted to fire at the Queen when the monarch is at her most aggravating.

Eileen -
Fade to Grey – What Eileen wouldn’t mind doing if only her monarch and magical beings would leave her alone.

Eileen -
Love on Your Side – What Eileen feels confident about given the strength of her marriage with Derek.

Eileen and Hanastrew - Private Investigations.  What Hanastrew now does full time, the way Eileen used to.  What the Queen wants of course is Hanastrew to keep going but for Eileen to come back and join her and resume her old work.

Eileen to Queen after former's defection - Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (and for heaven's sake make that permanent!).  Eileen also knows what the chances of that scenario happening are.
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 27

25/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Eileen and Jenny - Thriller by the late Michael Jackson (a great song and one of the best music videos ever).  Eileen’s magical life has been nothing but a thriller and Jenny worries the same might be about to be said for hers.  The only thrills Jenny wants are the ones Paul gives her in the bedroom!  She’s not at all thrilled (that word again!) to have her mother not only dump her in it big time but as a result endanger her.  The fact Eileen hasn’t meant to do that is an aside as far as Jenny’s concerned.

Eileen and Jenny -
Dynamite by Dave Edmunds (album track on the magnificent Repeat When Necessary, the first record I bought, early demonstration of good taste and modesty on my part!).  Not only is Eileen a force to be reckoned with on a par with dynamite, so increasingly is Jenny and the damage they can do when annoyed could make any landscape look as if it’s been treated with a decent amount of TNT, as can the barren parts of the Fairy Kingdom made that way by magical infighting.

Jenny - Magical Mystery Tour by the Beatles.  What Jenny goes on when in the Kingdom after her abduction by the Queen and breakout.

Paul and Derek (after finding out their wives are not all they seemed to be) - Hurting Each Other by the Carpenters.  What Paul and Derek do to Jenny and Eileen after the ladies’ backgrounds are revealed.  The men are not impressed with having magic in the family.  All they see is the deceit as Eileen and Jenny had kept this very quiet.

Eileen and Jenny -
The Reflex by Duran Duran.  What Eileen and Jenny exercise every time they get their wands out at speed!

Eileen, Hanastrew and Jenny - (
I Love the Sound of) Breaking Glass by Nick Lowe.  Though when it comes to magical fighting, Eileen, Hanastrew and increasing Jenny too hear more than  just glass smash.

Eileen and Jenny -
Bye Bye Love by the Bay City Rollers.  What Eileen and Jenny don’t want to say to their men.

Eileen to Derek -
Born to Be With You  by Dave Edmunds.  What Eileen would say was the case with Derek.  The Fairy Queen would refute this strongly.

Eileen - Atomic by Blondie.  Apt since Eileen is known to go nuclear when things don’t go her way!
_
0 Comments

songs for the fairy kingdom - 26

25/1/2014

0 Comments

 
The Witch - Poison Arrow by ABC.  What the Witch wants to send the Queen’s way and, reluctantly, at Eileen too.

The Fairy Kingdom to Earth -
The War of the Worlds by Jeff Wayne.  Not only has the Kingdom had its own magical warfare, its attitude towards earth shows a less than friendly attitude.  It is only because of its divinely given commission to watch earth that they take any interest in humans at all.

Eileen and Hanastrew - Cry Wolf by Aha.  Something Eileen’s done many a time.  Something  Hanastrew would do if it’s in the interests of the squad and/or Kingdom.

Eileen and Jenny -
Borderline by Chris de Burgh.  Forget the turgid Lady in Red, de Burgh can do much better and this is a wonderful track talking about a soldier’s call up to war.  As for using it in the Brenebourne series, the line between Eileen’s obedience and disobedience to her regal cousin is very thin.  In the Kingdom or on earth, she lives her life on the borderline and thanks to her Jennifer will too.

Jenny and Eileen -
Tears of a Clown by the wonderful Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.  What Jenny can cry now her mother’s dropped her right in it..  What Eileen can cry too when the Queen gives her grief.

Eileen to Queen -
You Keep Me Hanging On by Diana Ross and the Supremes/Kim Wilde.  Love both versions.  Very much something Eileen would sing to the Queen.

Eileen -
War (What is it Good For) by Edwin Starr.  Eileen’s attitude abruptly summed up when war threatens the Kingdom again thanks to the Chief Witch.

Eileen -
Chariots of Fire by Vangelis.  What Eileen could do with to get her right away from it all…
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 25

23/1/2014

0 Comments

 
My attitude to music while writing - I don’t play music whilst writing.  I think of music as a kind of performance enhancing drug for writers!  Why?  Because I’ve found whenever I have had music on, it’s had a direct effect on what I’m writing.  I have occasionally put on a specific piece of music to generate the mood I want to be in/write.  One good thing about listening to talk radio is that I can use is as an indicator of how my writing is going.  If I hear all of most of the programme, then my story/scene needs a hell of a lot of work to get it right.  If I barely hear any of the programme, I’ve probably written “a blinder”!!!!  Most of the time I find myself falling somewhere in the middle.  I hear some of the programme meaning my writing’s OK but is going to need a darned good edit to get it up to scratch.  And given little writing can’t benefit from a darned good edit, that’s no bad position to be at.

Jenny and Paul/Eileen and Derek -
The Look of Love by ABC.  For Jenny and Paul, Eileen and Derek.

Eileen - The Chain by Fleetwood Mac.  What Eileen felt the Fairy Kingdom was putting round her neck!

Brankaresh -
Smooth Operator by Sade.  Sums up Brankaresh though Eileen sees through all such.

Queen to Eileen - Let’s Go Round Again by the Average White Band.  What the Queen wants Eileen to do - to do the rounds of killing all the dangerous magical beasts once more.

Eileen, Hanastrew and the Fairy Squad - Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits.  It ought to be sisters in arms really for Eileen and  Hanastrew and the squad in general.

Eileen -
Singing the Blues by Dave Edmunds (my favourite version of the song).  What Eileen wants to do when the Queen drops her in it.  By a strange coincidence what Jenny feels when Eileen drops her in it!

Derek and Paul -
For All We Know by the Carpenters.  An ironic song title for Paul and Derek given what their wives haven’t told them!
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 24

22/1/2014

0 Comments

 
What the Queen needs - Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel.  What the fairy royals could do with when their relationships break down after the Queen abducts Jenny and Eddie and Jenny finally gets home.

Jenny -
For All We Know by the Carpenters.  For Jenny.  Prior to her mother’s devastating revelation, all she knew was she had an ordinary life with an ordinary husband in an ordinary world.  Jenny wants to get back to that point!

Jenny -
To Be or Not To Be by B.A. Robertson.  A quirky song, brought out late 70s/early 80s.  Aside from the Shakespeare connection, this is a song for Jenny.  The title sums up her being not one thing or the other.

Derek with Eileen -
Take A Chance on Me by Abba.  What Derek did with Eileen.  What he doesn’t know is how much of a chance he’s taken!

Jenny -
Homeward Bound by Simon and Garfunkel.  What Jenny wants to be.  The Queen feels homeward bound is Kingdom bound.

Jenny -
That Don’t Impress Me Much by Shania Twain.  Sums up Jenny’s attitude to the magical world.

The Witch (though Eileen and Jenny think the Queen counts too) -
Evil Woman by ELO.  Obviously for the Witch but Eileen and Jenny are having second thoughts about the Queen.

Jenny -
Confusion by ELO.  What any encounter with the magical world tends to bring on in Jenny. 

The Magical World (to an unimpressed Jenny) -
Walking in the Air from The Snowman (Aled Jones version).  What the magical world tends to do not that it impresses Jenny.  She’s quite happy just walking on the pavement.
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 23

21/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Brankaresh - Cry Wolf by Aha.  Brankaresh does this when pretending to be injured to lure Queen away from Palace.

Eileen to Witch and Jenny to Queen -
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?  By Culture Club.  For Eileen when Witch tortures her.  Also for Jenny given the grief the Queen’s putting her through.  Sadly in both cases the answer is yes.

Jenny -
Round, Round by Sugababes.  What Jenny feels her life’s doing.  Queen wants her in Kingdom, Jenny doesn’t want to go, Queen wants her in Kingdom and so on for ever.

Jenny -
In the Middle by Sugababes.  Again for Jenny caught between the wishes of the Queen and Eileen.

Jenny (worrying about whether her fairy wings will show) -
Camouflage by Stan Ridgeway.  A one-hit wonder I’m fond of about a ghost.  Appropriate given fairy characteristics can be camouflaged by the human body.  This comes as a relief to Jenny.  No woman wants her “wings” showing!

Jenny and the Fairy Squad -
I Say a Little Prayer by Arethra Franklin.  Jenny does as a Christian.  Many of the fairy squad do when out on missions.  Eileen tries not to bother the Almighty since He is dreadfully busy.  Jenny will inevitably be saying a lot more prayers as the full extent of the awkward situation her mother’s put her in becomes increasingly evident.
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 22

20/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Eileen - A View to a Kill by Duran Duran.  Perfect one for Eileen when she executes Brankaresh.

The Palace's Grand Hall -
Gold by Spandau Ballet.  The Grand Hall in the Palace has more golden items than any other room.  And as with other worlds the dwarves in the Kingdom love gold too.  Some things do cross dimensions.

Eileen, Hanastrew and the Fairy Squad -
Moonlight Shadow  by Mike Oldfield (Maggie Reilly has  a fab voice).  The song title acts as a warning for Eileen, Hanastrew and the squad.  The moonlight shadows in the Kingdom invariably are hiding something nasty!

Eileen, the Queen and Jenny -
Hurting Each Other by the Carpenters.  What Eileen, the Queen and Jenny are doing to each other.  Eileen is hurt by Jenny rejecting her.

Eileen (referring to the Queen) -
Back In My Life Again by the Carpenters.  What Eileen reluctantly concedes about the Queen and the last thing Eileen wanted!

Jenny to Eileen and the Queen -
Take on Me by Aha.  For when Jenny issues her challenge to the Queen and Eileen.

Instructions from Queen to Hanastrew and the Fairy Squad - Hunting High and Low by Aha (album track only to my knowledge).  What the Queen sends Hanastrew and the squad out, given Eileen got fed up with it.

Eileen's curse victims to Eileen (though inevitably a waste of breath!) -
Don’t Leave Me This Way by Thelma Houston.  What Eileen’s victims say just after she’s cursed them!
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 21

19/1/2014

0 Comments

 
The Queen, Eileen and Jenny - We Don’t Talk Anymore by Sir Cliff Richard.  One for the breakdown in relationships between the Queen, Eileen and Jenny.

The Queen to Eileen (as a hint!) -
Going Back to My Roots by Odyssey.  What the Queen wishes Eileen would do.

Eileen (regarding Derek) -
Walking Back to Happiness by Helen Shapiro.  What Eileen does every time she returns to Derek.

Eileen and Jenny -
Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen.  What Eileen and Jenny suffer from, not that they mind.  The Queen believes Eileen must be crazy to want to give up all the perks of a magical, royal existence for a human male.  Ironically this would be one of the few areas where the Witch agrees with the monarch.

Eileen's enemies (to Eileen) -
Return to Sender by Elvis Presley.  What Eileen’s enemies try to do to her.

Eileen, Hanastrew and Fairy Squad -
The Living Daylights by Aha.  A great Bond theme and what Eileen, Hanastrew and the squad give to the Queen’s enemies.

Eileen, Hanastrew and Fairy Squad -
On  Her Majesty’s Secret Service - again a great Bond theme.  One for Eileen, Hanastrew and squad.

Eileen to any fairy daring to blub on duty -
Stop Your Sobbing by the Pretenders.  What Eileen would say to any fairy who dared blub on duty, though this would be a comparatively mild rebuke by her usual standards.
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 20

18/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Eileen, Hanastrew and Fairy Squad - Rescue Me by The Fontellas.  What Eileen has heard too many times to count, now what Hanastrew and the squad deal with.

Derek for Eileen -
Emotional Rescue by the Rolling Stones.  Not a huge fan of theirs, prefer The Beatles, but like this and it’s what Derek’s done for Eileen, else hundreds of years to go in the Kingdom, married off to a suitable chinless wonder is the life she could’ve expected.

Eileen -
Love is the Drug by Roxy Music.  Eileen’s drug of preference!

Eileen, Hanastrew, Fairy Squad and Jenny -
Strangers in the Night by Frank Sinatra.  Sadly the type of strangers in the night Eileen, Hanastrew, the squad and increasingly Jenny are likely to meet are of the not of this world variety.

Jenny to Eileen -
Making Your Mind Up by Bucks Fizz.  One for Jenny to Eileen over what world she wants to belong to.

Fairy Kingdom and Earth - War of the Worlds by Jeff Wayne.  There is unlikely to be peace between the Fairy Kingdom and earth for the foreseeable future.  Not only does humanity have to behave better to get any positive response from the magical world, the fairies have to ump their condescending attitude towards anybody not magical.  To a certain extent war of the worlds did occur when Gwendolyn brought back her earth lovers to the magical realm, causing friction and civil wars, not something the Kingdom wants to experience again.  Antipathy to humans for them is the safest course.
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 19

17/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Hanastrew (as message to L'Evallier re Melanbury) - She Loves You by the Beatles.  Someone, probably Hanastrew, could use this to tell L’Evallier how Melanbury really feels.

Derek - And then I Kissed Her  by the Beach Boys.  A Derek tune.

Jenny and Eileen -
Cherish by Kool and the Gang.  I’m not one for soppy love songs as a rule but I do like the words in this.  One for Jenny and Eileen.  They need to cherish the lives they lead on earth, for as long as they can.

Eileen, Jenny, Hanastrew and Fairy Squad -
Ain’t No Stopping Us Now by Macfadden and Whitehead.  One for Eileen, Jenny, Hanastrew and squad.

The Queen -
Too Much Too Soon by the Specials.  One for the Queen in relation to Eileen’s wish to defect and marry a human.  It doesn’t matter that at that point Eileen is hundreds of years old in fairy terms, the Queen would still consider Eileen far too young to go into a relationship of that kind.  Eileen could live for ever and still be considered too young!

The Fairy Kingdom during the Queen's overthrow -
Land of Confusion by Genesis.  What the Kingdom is, particularly during the overthrow.
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 18

17/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Jenny - You Sexy Thing by Hot Chocolate.  For Jenny, from Paul, barring for a while after Eddie’s birth when she felt far from sexy!

Fairy Squad -
We are the Champions by Queen.  Fairy squad morale boosting tune.

Eileen -
I’m Not Scared by Altered Images.  Eileen’s tune to remind herself not to be scared despite often feeling so. In her case the title should be I’m Not Scared In Front of Anyone Else - Ever - One Has Standards.

Eileen (to Queen) -
Would I Lie to You? By the Eurythmics.  From Eileen to the Queen.  The response? “Yes if it suited you”.

Brankaresh -
No Woman, No Cry by Bob Marley and the Wailers. One for Brankaresh. His problems are due to women in his eyes.  His greed, lust for power, selfishness cannot have anything to do with his fall from grace according to him.  I admit when I hear this song I laugh given the late Mr Marley had 22 children by 11 women.  He overcame the difficulty highlighted by the title then!

Eileen, Hanastrew and Fairy Squad - Careless Whisper  by George Michael.  What Eileen, Hanastrew and squad live in dread of, as it is their lives at stake.

Eileen -
We Don’t Need Another Hero by Tina Turner.  Eileen’s tune.  What she’d argue you do need is a well equipped heroine with a decent wand and spell range!
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 17

15/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Eileen and Jenny - They Don’t Know by Tracey Ullman.  One for Eileen and Jenny regarding their husbands’ ignorance of their wives’ unusual heritage.  It is best they don’t know, one of the few things Eileen and Jenny agree on.

The Queen -
What is Love?  By Hathaway.  A question the Queen could ask. 

The Fairy Squad -
You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers.  One the squad would sing to keep morale up.

Eileen (for putting Brankaresh and the Witch in) -
Rat Trap by the Boomtown Rats.  What Eileen feels Brankaresh and the Witch should be in.

Jenny and the Queen -
I Don’t Like Mondays by the Boomtown Rats.  One for Jenny when up to her neck with a wailing child and washing. One for the Queen too for when the Council/Eileen are awkward when the monarch wouldn’t like Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays etc etc either.

Every magical being - (
Can You) Feel the Force? By The Real Thing.  One for every magical being.

Eileen, Hanastrew and the Fairy Squad - Jump by Van Halen.  Eileen, Hanastrew and the squad jump out of danger continually. 

Hanastrew and the Fairy Squad -
Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves.  What Hanastrew and squad feel they’re doing when their missions go well!
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 16

14/1/2014

0 Comments

 
The Queen and Eileen - That’s the Way I Like It by KC and the Sunshine Band.  The Queen and Eileen would both claim this as an anthem.  The Queen has the better claim given she is more likely to achieve it.  Eileen may be royal but she is still a subject.

Eileen and Jenny -
Stand by Your Man by Tammy Wynette.  One for Eileen and Jenny as they want to do this!  This song makes me laugh.  There are those who would claim it is sexist - they’re right.  It’s anti-man.  The words “he’s just a man” sum up my case I feel, m’lud.

Eileen and Jenny -
Love’s Unkind by Donna Summer, I think.  Definitely for Eileen and Jenny.

Roherum and FNN - Messages by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.  One for Roherum and FNN.  They get the message from the Queen they ought to keep her happy.

Eileen -
Respectable by Mel and Kim.  I was sorry to hear Mel died so young from cancer but they did some great dance tunes.  This one’s for Eileen.  She ought to be respectable but…

The Fairy Kingdom -
Mysterious Ways by U2.  Sums up the Fairy Kingdom and its magical ways.

Eileen - Pride (In the Name of Love) by U2.  Eileen’s song given she’s easily one of the proudest magical beings the Kingdom’s produced.  She would also welcome the song given its theme of fighting against injustice, something she prides herself on.
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 15

13/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Derek, Stan, Wes and Roherum- Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Monty Python.  The story line of Life of Brian doesn’t appeal but I love this song.  Not only is it sound advice, I’d apply it to Derek, Stan and Wes before they have to worry about defending themselves and the Kingdom, and Roherum.  The weatherman would take it as a typical choice for the idiot broadcaster - a simplistic idea for a very simple goblin!

The Queen -
Everything I Do I Do It For You by Bryan Adams.  The Queen’s tune for the  Kingdom.

Jenny -
All Cried Out by Alison Moyet.  For Jenny when in the throes of PND.

Jenny and Eileen (to Queen) and Queen to Eileen -
You Win Again by The Bee Gees.  The way Jenny and Eileen sometimes feel about the Queen, though to be fair the monarch feels this way about Eileen.

Hanastrew (and formerly Eileen) -
For Whom the Bell Tolls by The Bee Gees.  A much under-rated song.  Definitely one for Hanastrew when out on a dangerous mission.  Used to belong to Eileen for the same reason.

Eileen and Jenny -
Wouldn’t It Be Nice?   By the Beach Boys.  Wouldn’t it be nice for Eileen and Jenny to be allowed to live on earth in peace…

Jenny to Eddie -
Hopelessly Devoted to You by Olivia Newton-John.  One for Jenny to Eddie.
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 14

12/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Eileen and the Queen - We’ll Meet Again by Dame Vera Lynn.  What Eileen dislikes hearing from foes.  What Queen insists she’ll achieve.

Jenny -
I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues by Sir Elton John.  A song for Jenny in the throes of PND.

Wes and Stan -
Live It Up by Mental as Anything.  For Wes and Stan in their early days. 

Jenny and Eileen (according to the Queen) -
Spirits in the Material World by the Police.  What the Queen would consider Jenny and Eileen are for living on earth.

The Queen (to Eileen and Jenny) -
Get Back by The Beatles.  The Queen’s “advice” to Eileen and Jenny.

Eileen -
Love and Pride by King.  Eileen is full of the former for Derek, Jenny and Edward and the latter as far as the Queen is concerned.  It ‘d be a massive loss of pride for Eileen to return to the Kingdom permanently, aside from any other consideration.

The Queen -
Red, Red Wine by UB40.  Something the Queen is becoming very fond of. 

The Queen (prior to overthrow!) -
Don’t Bring Me Down by ELO.  Something the Queen should’ve sung before her overthrow.

Hanastrew -
Broken Wings by Mister Mister.  What Hanastrew feels she’s got after rough missions with the squad.

Eileen and Hanastrew -
Supertrouper by Abba.  Not my favourite by them but it sums Eileen and her protégé Hanastrew up well.

Eileen and Hanastrew -
Don’t Fear The Reaper  by Blue Oyster Cult.  I’ve always thought if Sir Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels had an anthem, this would be it. Eileen doesn’t fear the reaper.  Nor would the thought of doing so cross her mind.  It would cross Hanastrew’s though before her devotion to duty made her get on with what inevitably unpleasant task she was facing.

The Queen, Eileen, Jenny and Hanastrew -
Carry on Regardless by The Beautiful South.  The Queen would claim she does, so would Eileen, Jenny and  Hanastrew.  What they would all like is a damned sight more gratitude from the beings they’re trying to serve.  The likelihood of them getting that is slim.

Eileen to her victims -
The Frog Chorus by Sir Paul McCartney.  Used to brilliant effect in Shrek 3, a series of films I adore, it’s also apt for Eileen’s various victims over the centuries.  Indeed she would have enough to make one of the biggest choruses going in any time and dimension.

Derek to Eileen and Paul to Jenny and vice versa -
Light My Fire by the Doors.  What Derek does to Eileen, Paul to Jenny and vice versa of course.  Eileen and Jenny are all for sexual equality.
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 13

11/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Eileen and the Fairy Squad - Riders of (in?) the Storm by The Doors.  Eileen not only rides the storm, she causes them.  Also the squad ride out the storms thrown at them by events in the Kingdom.

The Witch, Eileen and Brankaresh -
Accidents Will Happen by Elvis Costello - especially when set up.  One for the Witch, Eileen (when in a strop) and Brankaresh (given his murders).

Eileen and the Queen -
Rain on Your Parade by Duffy.  Something Eileen’s not ashamed to do but it equally applies to the Queen who wants to rain on Jenny’s and Eileen’s parades permanently by getting them back to the realm.

Jenny - Shout by Lulu.  Something Jenny wants to do a lot thanks to her mother and the Queen.

Eileen and Jenny (to the Queen) -
You Keep Me Hanging On by Diana Ross and the Supremes, also I think Kim Wilde later.  What the Queen’s trying to do to Eileen and Jenny.  Will she ever be prepared to let them go?

Queen to Eileen -
How Long Has This Been Going On?  By Ace.  Queen asks Eileen this before defection announcement.

Eileen/Derek and Jenny/Paul -
It Started with a Kiss by Hot Chocolate.  Joint anthem for Eileen/Derek and Jenny/Paul.

Derek to Eileen and Queen to Eileen (for differing reasons!) -
You Spin Me Round by Dead and Alive.  Something sung at Eileen, mainly by Derek, but also by Queen. 
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 12

10/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Eddie to Jenny - Hold Me Now by The Thompson Twins.  One for Eddie to his mum!

Eileen -
Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve.  Bitter sweet sums up Eileen’s attitude towards the Kingdom.

Eileen and Jenny -
Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft by The Carpenters.  The last thing Eileen or Jenny want to do!  Eileen especially has seen enough strange beings to last her several lifetimes.

Eileen and Derek and Jenny and Paul -
It Takes Two by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Tyrelle.  One for Eileen/Derek and Jenny/Paul.

Roxannadrell -
Killer Queen by Queen.  Obviously applies to Roxannadrell when she kills the Witch.  Can also apply to the Witch when she briefly takes over the realm.

The Queen's view of Eileen's behaviour over Derek -
The Lady is a Tramp by Frank Sinatra.  What the Queen thinks of Eileen for falling for a mere human!

Eileen -
My Way  by Frank Sinatra.  An obvious one for Eileen,  possibly too obvious.  One she’d enjoy on the quiet because of that.

Eileen and Derek and Jenny and Paul -
Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys.  Ignoring the obvious sexual links here for Eileen and Jenny with their spouses, it can apply to the women and the fairy squad when detecting spells cast and those responsible for them.  Pity there isn’t a song called Bad Vibrations for when they’ve discovered the Witch has been busy!
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 11

8/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Eileen and the Queen - Holding Back the Years by Simply Red.  Used to brilliant effect in Only Fools and Horses, I’d use this partly for Eileen as one blessing of being a fairy is she doesn’t age that much, she must fake aging a bit on earth or it’d look pointed but also for the Queen.  She wants to hold back the years where Eileen defected!

Wes and Stan - The Boys are Back in Town by Thin Lizzy.  Definitely one for Wes and Stan.

The Witch -
Lying Eyes by the Eagles for the Witch.

Eileen -
No Regrets by Robbie Williams. One for Eileen.  She’s of the “regrets are for wimps” school of thought.  Having said that, she does have some like putting Derek at risk of being magically  hurt by the Queen in an attempt to get Eileen back for good but her regret there is at the monarch’s behaviour, not her own.

The Queen -
Ride a White Swan by T-Rex.  It’s the kind of thing the Queen’s ancestors did.  She herself does not indulge, preferring a pure unicorn every time.

Jenny and Eileen -
Planet Earth by Duran Duran.  One for Jenny and Eileen, given they love the place.

The Queen (Eileen is the embarrassment) - Embarrassment by Madness.  What Eileen is to the Queen though Eileen considers the monarch’s behaviour equally embarrassing, not that the ruler will accept that.
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 10

7/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Eileen, Jenny, Hanastrew and the Queen - Break My Stride by Matthew Wilder.  Heaven help anyone trying that on Eileen,  Jenny or Hanastrew.  The Queen would like this anthem too.  The snag being her stride was broken when she was overthrown and every act of defiance by Jenny or Eileen continues to break it.  Will the Queen end up being pushed to use the specialized magic that is the monarch’s alone? The magic that hasn’t been used for centuries?

Stan and Wes (Danrock and Elderin) -
Wild Boys by Duran Duran.  One for Stan and Wes in their early years.  It could be applied to Danrock and Elderin too.

The Queen (after her overthrow) and Eileen -
I’m Still Standing by Elton John.  The Queen’s anthem after her overthrow.  A theme for Eileen too.

Derek and Eileen -
Kiss Me by Stephen Tin Tin Duffy.  One for Derek and Eileen.

The Fairy Squad  -
Breakout by Swing Out Sister.  One for the fairy squad given they (a) prevent these or (b) clear up said breakouts whenever they occur.

Jenny - You Keep It All In by The Beautiful South. Jenny’s theme for when she bottles things up during her PND.

Jenny -
Mama Used to Say  by Junior.  One for Jenny - there are many things she wishes her mother never said!
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 9

6/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Jenny and Eileen to Queen - Let It Be by the Beatles.  Jenny’s and Eileen’s plea to the Queen if they deigned to lower themselves to plea at all!

The Queen -
Can’t Buy Me Love by the Beatles.  For the Queen though she’d change the last word to “loyalty”.

The Queen -
Push the Button by the Sugababes. This is exactly what the Queen tries to do with Eileen, and later with Jenny too.  The Queen doesn’t always get the right button though - hence Eileen’s defection.

The Witch (also Brankaresh to Eileen and Roherum and weatherman) -
I Love to Hate You can’t remember the artist but it sounds like Erasure.  This is one for the Witch.  Also Brankaresh to Eileen and vice versa.   Also apt for Roherum and the weatherman.

The Queen -
Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word by Elton John.  Certainly the Queen struggles with it!

Eileen, Jenny and Hanastrew -
The Only Way is Up by Yazz.  For Eileen’s, Jenny’s and Hanastrew’s trickier moments.  Particularly apt for when Jenny begins to recover from PND.

The entire Fairy Kingdom! -
It’s Not Unusual by Tom Jones.  The entire Fairy Kingdom’s anthem!
0 Comments

SONGS FOR THE FAIRY KINGDOM - 8

5/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Eileen and Derek - Lessons in Love by Level 42. 
A joint Derek/Eileen song though who teaches whom is debatable…

Eileen -
Private Investigations by Dire Straits.  What Eileen used to do for the Queen, something Hanastrew’s increasingly doing.

Eileen -
Overload by the Sugababes.  Eileen felt she suffered from this, it gave added impetus to her defection.

The Witch  (and against Wes by Stan) - Ugly by the Sugababes.  Theme for the Witch.  Also used against Wes by Stan.

Jenny -   Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel.  Jenny would like this when Eddie plays up, also when her mother starts spouting off again.  It’s also Jenny’s preferred sound from the Fairy Kingdom!

The better behaved fairies -
Angels by Robbie Williams.  The better fairies get promoted to these at the end of their time in the Kingdom.

The Queen and Eileen -
True Blue by Madonna - sums up the Queen and Eileen.  Jenny of course would be considered half blue.

Eileen and Hanastrew /L'Evallier and Melanbury -
Ray of Light by Madonna, the best she’s done.  Eileen would once have considered herself one of these!  These days the Queen would give the title to Hanastrew as she’s not defected nor would dream of it. Melanbury, in one of her soppier moods, would consider L'Evallier to be her ray of light.  Ancestral pride prevents her from ever saying that out loud though.


0 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    I'm Allison Symes and I write novels, short stories as well as some scripts and poems.  I love setting my work in my magical world, the Fairy Kingdom, and my favourite character is Eileen, who believes hypocrisy is something that happens to other people without caring that statement is hypocritical in itself!  Eileen is huge fun to write for and about. 

    Archives

    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012

    Categories

    All
    General Background

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.