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  • All About Eileen
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  • Fairy Kingdom Survival Tips
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  • 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
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  • Appropriate Songs for My Characters
    • Appropriate Songs for My Characters - 2
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  • Contact Form

WHAT BOOKS WOULD MY CHARACTERS READ?

29/2/2016

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The great thing about setting questions like the one above is in answering them you find out more about your own characters' tastes.   Whatever you find out about your characters will help you portray them better (they'll have more depth because you know them better than you once did).  I'll start this question off by asking it for Eileen.

Eileen

Any gardening book - so she can share Derek's interest in gardening and develop a better interest in it for herself.

A good wildlife book on creatures native to the UK - again this is to develop Eileen's knowledge.

The Lord of the Rings - partly because Eileen feels she should give this a try but mainly to see what an epic quest that doesn't involve her looks like.

Joy In the Morning - Eileen is also keen to develop a sense of humour (it will make her seem more human) so has rightly assumed reading the works of P.G. Wodehouse will help here.


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CARING FOR YOUR WORLD... OR NOT AS THE CASE MAY BE

29/2/2016

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Whilst the Kingdom despises humanity for polluting its own planet, it doesn’t take much care of its own realm.  Not only were there magical wars which left many areas barren (nothing can take too much magic hitting it), those like Fresdian (later Rose) who go studying the flora and fauna in all weathers and seasons are considered at best eccentric and at worst mad. 

Whilst the schools do teach the basics about magical creatures and plant life, the teaching ends there.  There’s no thought given as to how best to care for the landscape.  As for the wars, they are considered unfortunate, embarrassing historical events, not to be discussed yet alone rectified. 

It would be possible for the Queen and her senior magical staff to rectify some of the damage done to the Kingdom, but the thought hasn’t occurred to them to do it.   Even if it did occur to them, they’d reject the idea as wasting their magical energy.  The Fairy Kingdom fails to recognize its own selfishness here.  They’ve got more in common with humanity than they care to admit.
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MAKING YOURSELF HEARD...

27/2/2016

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Whether you're based on Earth or are a magical being living in another dimension, making yourself heard can depend on how well connected and loud you are.  (Nobody said it was fair).

Eileen, as forthright as she is courageous, has no problem making herself heard though, when she still lived in the Fairy Kingdom, was well aware her royal status made it much easier for her to be able to share her message.  She nearly always did so when carrying out engagements for the Queen (often annoying the latter given these visits were never meant to be political but having your heir moan about magical power abuses and with the Fairy News Network covering and broadcasting every word, this  was embarrassing.  This was made more embarrassing as the Queen realised she could hardly silence that heir.  People would ask questions).

Hanastrew has learned to use her good looks to help her get interviews with FNN when she wants them.  Okay she has to put up with Roherum's toadying towards her (he does this with everyone bar the Queen and Eileen) but if it means she can get her message across and it can help the fairy squad in any way, Hanastrew has no trouble doing this.  Her colleagues are not so comfortable with it though they appreciate their boss's attempts to boost their morale and public standing. 

So do your characters want to make themselves heard?  Why?  How do they do it?  What happens when they get it wrong?  (And they will, we all do!).


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FEEDING THE MIND

27/2/2016

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As with life on Earth, there are many ways to feed the mind in the Fairy Kingdom.  There are books, magazines, re-enactments of the classic fairy tales and so on.  All magical beings are encouraged to take part in these things.

The Fairy News Network sometimes goes around the magical realm and films and broadcasts what, say, Village X is up to do to commemorate the telling of Fairy Tale B.  There is great rivalry between villages to get FNN's attention here.

Hanastrew, despite being the all action and blasting to smithereens anything in the way fairy godmother (like her mentor Eileen), loves to read when not on call.  She likes to read not only for its own sake but because it is so different from her day job.
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MOOD WRITING...

26/2/2016

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Generally what I write is what I write but I do find my moods in writing vary from light to dark and back again.  One example of my darker short stories, Pressing the Flesh, is now up on Cafelit.

The mood of the story does not necessarily reflect the mood I'm in when I write the stories!  Indeed I often like to write light as literally a kind of light relief when life is on the difficult side.  But I also find I can't write light all the time.  Sometimes I need what Terry Pratchett once referred to as tragic relief (in my case it tends to border on the criminal/horrific relief - I dread to think what Freud would make of that!).

This, I think, is a good reflection on fairytale writing.  Many are grim (especially the original versions).  Many have humorous moments (especially when sending up people's vanity, The Emperor's New Clothes is a great example of this).

But what is important is that I write regardless of mood... as should you.
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HOW TO TELL IF A FAIRY GODMOTHER HAS BEEN AROUND

25/2/2016

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  1. The locals are either overjoyed (said fairy godmother has just removed a dragon that was threatening them) or subdued (said godmother has had to tell them off for something - and nobody scolds quite like my Eileen.  Once heard, never forgotten).
  2. Magic has clearly been performed.  All magic ends up eventually "earthing" itself to either a high point (usually a tree) or the ground, like lightning does, and leaves scars.  Each spell has a unique "signature" so the more magically astute can work out from these scars what was performed (and from that the godmother most likely to have done this).
  3. The ill-treated step daughter does go to the ball.
  4. The ill-treated step daughter discovers she now has to work out how on earth to walk in glass slippers and then dance in them.  (By the end of the evening her feet are killing her).
  5. There is a noticeable shortage of pumpkins in the area.
  6. Spindles suddenly disappear (due to a godmother's warning to new royal parents).
  7. Posh looking coaches suddenly appear out of thin air.  There is a vague smell of pumpkin in the air.
  8. The locals have been quizzed about whatever it is threatening them (and they look quizzed.  Eileen has never been subtle with her questioning).
  9. The local witch looks as if she has been through a magical storm backwards (if she was lucky this was due to just being quizzed by Eileen or Hanastrew.  If unlucky or stupid, the witch tried to challenge the fairy godmother and lost and was only spared her life because the godmother in question wanted the witch to survive to be able to warn others about what can happen to those who think of challenging them).
  10. Wicked stepmothers, ugly sisters etc are suddenly very worried as their past catches up with them.  It is not unknown for fairy godmothers to act to help their charges out but also to punish those ill treating them later.
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HAPPY EVER AFTERS... OR NOT AS THE CASE MAY BE

24/2/2016

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Not every fairytale has a happy ending (see The Little Mermaid, The Little Match Girl etc) but the majority do.  I think it is better for any author, regardless of genre, to  focus on making sure their story ending is appropriate for the story itself.  Sometimes the plot and characters will call for a sad ending, others a happy one, but you need to make your readers feel as if there couldn't possibly be any other ending to the tale except the one you've written.

Besides in fairytales there's often a lot that can be read into they "all lived happily ever after".  Many a fine tale has come out of the premise, well actually they didn't.  So what could come out of your stories that have officially ended happily?  Could you look at what happened if that "ever after" was nowhere near as long as the characters anticipated?

So happy ever afters can be what you make them to be.  And then leave your characters to get on with them...
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ACCESS TO LITERATURE IN THE FAIRY KINGDOM

22/2/2016

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Everyone from the lowest sprite to the Queen has access to literature in the Fairy Kingdom, especially the traditional fairy tales.  But certain types of literature are restricted to those of  the right background.  The spell books with the more powerful charms in it are restricted to fairy godmothers, witches and wizards.  Nobody wants a sprite let loose with these things.

Reading is encouraged at home and at school.  Writing is encouraged by those who wish to add to the fairy tale tradition but that tends to mean it is the elves, with a long background in singing and saga sharing, who do most of the writing.  They also tend to form what we would think of as a Civil Service.

Sadly sprites tend to get out of the habit of reading once they've left full time education (where one two hour period a week is given over to reading).  There has been some talk about running a campaign to encourage a return to reading but this has floundered because most on the Council feel sprites are simply too lazy to read and are best left to their own devices.


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WHAT EILEEN WOULD LIKE iN THE MAGICAL WORLD...

21/2/2016

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  1. An automatic ban on abusing magical powers (which will lead to an immediate ban on Grand Viziers, treacherous wizards, wicked witches and so on.  Eileen has no problem with that).
  2. Honesty in writing down/telling the history of the magical world.
  3. No magical corruption of food or drink - so more dodgy red apples for gullible stepdaughters.  Eileen feels food and drink should be completely untampered with.
  4. An end to the perception that fairies/fairytales are twee and just for little kids.  Eileen could tell stories that would scare you enough to make your hair fall out (especially if she casts a spell to make that happen!).
  5. An end to rivalry between different magical species and as a result no more wars.  The fact most humans would love to see an end to wars on Earth confirms to Eileen that violence is a cross-dimension problem.
  6. For reading to be treasured for its own sake and not just done so various beings can improve their magical powers and skills (especially as this tends to lead to magical power abuses).
  7. An automatic ban on objects being enchanted to entrap people.  The Genies Union is all for this - they hate being shoved in lamps and left for centuries.
  8. An end to bias against witches for being witches (though all evil witches deserve to face Eileen in full fighting mode.  Eileen has no problem with the witches who like to use natural ingredients to produce medicines etc.  She does have problems with witches who want to obliterate anything and anyone in their way).
  9. Better recognition of those magical heroes who spend their time fighting evil.  Eileen does feel she, Hanastrew and the fairy squad are under-appreciated.
  10. Better traffic control especially in the skies.  Flying conditions can be awful at times.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY IN THE FAIRY KINGDOM

20/2/2016

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History is something everyone in the Kingdom takes a huge interest in.  Not only does it have direct relevance to relationships between the different groups (the dwarves and elves being the obvious example), all in the realm are aware of their world being attacked and who by and when their world is responsible for the attacking, thus provoking a violent response back again. 

There are history programmes on FNN (in favour of the fairy royals to nobody’s surprise).  Everybody responsible for history programming takes the official line.  Eileen is the nearest to a revisionist and even she takes most things as gospel. 

The Witch always disputed the truth of anything broadcast on FNN as she feels her family was unfairly portrayed and treated.  She has a point but sadly her family were mass murderers and rebels so the fairy royals were right to defend t heir people against them. 

What Eileen queries is whether the royals could’ve intervened sooner, acted more fairly, preventing the need for a forceful defence. Eileen’s queries are not welcome.

FNN would like to do a series of  history programmes on the fairy royals but neither Eileen nor the Queen are keen and without their co-operation the programmes won’t be made.  This is due to the fact FNN would need access to the royal files/Library and only these two can grant that. FNN know the Council are not very keen on them, they owe their existence to the fairy royals so won’t bite the hand that feeds them. 

FNN sometimes try to persuade the Queen to allow them access here, knowing it’s a waste of time trying to get Eileen to change her mind, but to date have failed.  The Queen doesn’t trust them to stick to those royals with a reasonable record.  She thinks they want to dig up all the gossip and scandal concerning Queen Gwendolyn, great-grandmother to Roxannadrell and Eileen.  The one comfort the Queen has on all this is that it’s one of the few areas where she and Eileen are united.
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THINKING TIME

19/2/2016

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Thinking time is vital for a writer to work out (a) their writing schedules, (b) plots and (c) how their characters develop.  I find swimming is wonderful for giving me thinking time. My link is to my latest Chandler's Ford Today post takes a look at this. 

And I do find when swimming all my daily cares vanish.  My mind relaxes and that can be a wonderful time for ideas to be generated.  I find as long as I write those ideas down on getting home I don't forget them again.

Thinking time is important for your characters too.  Someone like my Eileen has to think ahead given her role as a fairy godmother fighting evil all the time.  She needs to work out the best way of using her magical powers so she gains the most advantages from them.  It's not just a question of pointing her wand and going "zap"! 

Conflict fuels stories but that can include inner conflict as a character works out how best to solve a problem.  It's even better when that character gets it wrong (and realistic too given nobody gets it right all the time so your characters shouldn't either).

Also given Eileen's tendency to drop herself right in it with her cousin, the Fairy Queen, and her Council, it also pays Eileen to think ahead about how she is going to handle the latest fall out from her actions. And she needs as much thinking time as possible for that!
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THE DOWNSIDES OF LIVING IN A FAIRY TALE WORLD

19/2/2016

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  1. The risks of encountering monsters, ogres, dragons etc are very high.
  2. You can't get life insurance because of 1 above.
  3. There is always someone more magically powerful than you are.  So be careful who you offend.
  4. You can't trust wizards, Grand Viziers or most witches.  Treachery is as natural to them as breathing.  It pays not to get in their way (they won't think twice about getting rid of you).
  5. Building materials can be dodgy at times.  Never trust any owner of any residence made of gingerbread.  They're using it as a lure.
  6. Talking animals are common.  Do you really want to be talked down to by a cat wearing wellington boots?  If you've reached that stage in life where said cat feels justified in talking down to you, face it, you need to get your act together.
  7. Fairy godmothers are known to get their spells wrong.  Cinderella's glass slippers were glorious to look at but hell on the feet.
  8. You can't trust old women selling apples or who suddenly turn up with a spinning wheel.  The track record is not good.
  9. Transport may not be all it appears to be.  Is that coach really a coach or did it start life as a pumpkin and when will it return to that state?  Also broomsticks are phenomenally uncomfortable.
  10. If you're the  youngest of three, or a step daughter, you will have to put up with being ill treated or neglected for years before your fairy godmother deigns to turn up and start putting things right for you.
  11. Taking goodies to Grandma's house proves unexpectedly dangerous.
  12. If you are cared for by a witch and she insists you live in a tower, then you are in for a very restricted lifestyle.  Also the way out will be means by growing your hair long enough to form a thick rope-like arrangement someone can climb up.  Can you imagine how heavy that will be?
  13. Wanting to change what you are can be problematic.  Just ask The Little Mermaid.
  14. If you're invited to play a guess my name competition, bear in mind the poisonous dwarf that's asked you has got an agenda and a name you will never guess at.  You will have to spy on him to find out what you need to know.
  15. The climate can be awkward especially if it has been artificially fixed.  See The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe for further information on this.
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WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR WHEN VISITING ANY MAGICAL REALM

18/2/2016

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  1. We need you to go and drop this dodgy ring down a volcano.  Yes, we know it's miles away but it's not as if you're doing anything else and you can at least enjoy the countryside along the way.
  2. Look, it is a high honour to be picked to be the human sacrifice.  What are you moaning about?
  3. What Dark Lord?  Oh that Dark Lord?  Oh didn't we tell you about him?
  4. The dwarves are getting tetchy.  They're starting to throw axes around. Someone made a wise crack about their height.  Didn't we tell you not to do that?
  5. What every witch needs is someone who could be target practice for the latest spells.  Doing anything are you?
  6. Would anyone miss you if you don't go home?
  7. Hello, yes I am a talking wolf.  Funnily enough I haven't had lunch.  I'm  not vegetarian.  Why do you ask?
  8. I am the troll that guards the bridge and I'm sick and tired of goat meat.  The Billy Goats Gruff were a bit on the tough side.  I'm really in the mood for some nice tender steak... pauses...  you look nice.
  9. To survive this world, you've got to be able to do magic.  Pauses.  Nobody told you?  You're sure about that?  I'm sure we put notices up.  Oh.  Well too late now.  You'll just have to do the best you can.   Off you go.  No.  You can't stop here.  The man eating ogre turns up at 10.
  10. It's okay, you can relax.  There are no vampires here.  There are werewolves, monsters, ogres and so on but no vampires.  They'll be so glad to see you too.  They don't get many visitors.  (And none that come back for a second visit).
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THE PLUS SIDES OF LIVING IN A FAIRY TALE WORLD

15/2/2016

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  1. You can  use magic to get yourself out of trouble.
  2. You can zap your enemies away to the next world.
  3. If you're alert enough, you can raid a gingerbread house for sweet treats without the resident witch catching you.
  4. You can help others in their hour of need.
  5. You discover there is quite a bit you can do when equipped with (a) a magic wand and (b) a pumpkin.
  6. You can step in to modify a spell when an angry witch is unwittingly left out of the royal christening invitations.
  7. You have no problems dealing with any threat posed by a talking, big bad wolf.
  8. You will get plenty of opportunities to practice your magic given so many misuse their gifts  for evil purposes and the Fairy Queen will be glad of every good magical being she can get to help her thwart these.
  9. The magical world always has plenty of job opportunities for those with powers who are prepared to use them for the common good.  Assuming you survive, promotion will beckon.
  10. You're never bothered by insurance companies given they won't touch magical beings with a barge pole.
  11. The sensible beings will always treat you with respect.  You do have to be mad to annoy someone magically powerful.
  12. The stronger the magic is in your world the less likely it is to be invaded by hostile alien beings as it will be able to defend itself well.
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the world of the fairytale

15/2/2016

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 The world of the fairytale is based on reality.  Oscar Wilde's The Happy Prince is a great example of this.  Fairytales often comment on our world, especially on things like poverty.  Fairytales can be grim are often violent.  Sadly a reflection of life on Earth for so many.

Ironically I think people focus on the happy ever after bit of fairytales rather than the grimness that leads to someone getting and accepting magical help to overcome this.  Of course in our world it isn't magic that helps people (other than perhaps what could be called the magic of human kindness).

I always picture fairytale worlds as being colourful and noisy.  (It wouldn't have been that quiet in Cinderella's household with the stepmother and ugly sistes complaining at her all day long).  Would I want to live in a fairytale world?  No.  Just as power can be abused by us, there's nothing to stop magic being abused and I certainly wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that.
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WHAT THE FAIRY KINGDOM EXPECTS IN ITS VILLAINS...

14/2/2016

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  1. Said villains are to be arrogant at all times.
  2. Said villains are to be power hungry at all times.
  3. Said villains must make at least one bid for the Fairy Kingdom throne to even be considered as villains.
  4. Villains can vary in species (treacherous wizards, dragons etc) but must always seek to destroy anything and anyone getting in their way.  (In the case of dragons this can be for the purpose of seeking food as well).
  5. Villains can form alliances with others but must be prepared to double cross and stab such allies in the back at a moment's notice.
  6. For villains to consider treachery to be their finest "virtue".
  7. Villains will always misuse any magical objects, powers or anything else that could be used as a weapon against others at all times.
  8. Villains will never hesitate to send others to their deaths, especially if that saves their own skin.
  9. The Fairy Kingdom expects villains to lose, eventually,  and definitely not to take this well.
  10. Villains will always be full of jealousy of others' successes and be consumed with an overwhelming desire to destroy those successes and those who have had them.
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WHAT THE FAIRY KINGDOM EXPECTS IN ITS HEROES/HEROINES...

11/2/2016

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  1. Heroes/heroines should be humble.  There's no room for arrogance here.  (Villains are expected to be arrogant however).
  2. Heroes/heroines should ideally be the youngest of three children.   The youngest sibling is expected to prove themselves.
  3. Heroes/heroines should be open to the idea of talking animals (Puss in Boots, Little Red Riding Hood) who are usually sent to help them (the exception being Little Red Riding Hood).
  4. Heroes/heroines should be open to the idea of fairy godmothers turning up to assist them despite not being aware of the existence of fairy godmothers in their lives before.  (See Cinderella for a good example of this.  Where was her fairy godmother earlier in the story?  Cinderella has good cause to be annoyed over this).
  5. Heroes/heroines should be aware they will be expected to show great courage and face dangers.  Being a hero/heroine is not for the easily scared.
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HOW TO ANNOY EILEEN

11/2/2016

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Annoying Eileen deliberately is something you do when you are tired of life or are magically powerful enough in your own right to be able to put up a good fight.   After her defection to Earth, Eileen is no less of a threat, if anything she is probably more of one as she will defend the new life she has carved out for herself.  But if you decide you could do with what could be the last thing you ever do, great ways to annoy Eileen include:-

  1. Support the Queen's criticism of Eileen, especially in loudly condemning the defection.
  2. Be Brankaresh and magically cheat in your pursuit of power.
  3. Be the Queen and ignore Eileen's warnings about Brankaresh.
  4. Be Roherum and ask Eileen vapid, irrelevant questions.
  5. Be a sprite hauled up before her for fighting.  Eileen was used, prior to her defection, to instill fear into sprites - she was very good at it.
  6. Be Jenny and wind your mother up, knowing you are only one of two beings Eileen would never zap, the other being your father, Derek.
  7. You try to outdo Eileen magically.
  8. Be all style and no substance (she still hates this on Earth so has no time for most talent shows).
  9. Be a corrupt politician (brings back bad memories of Brankaresh).
  10. Tarring everyone with the same brush and not being prepared to offer olive branches (Eileen remains convinced it had been possible to achieve reconciliation with the Witch had the Queen and her Council been less forthright.  Also the Queen should've accepted the fairy royals had not treated the Witch's family well - but Roxannadrell was not prepared to do this and that really annoyed Eileen as it guaranteed the Witch causing trouble).
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WHAT YOUR CHARACTERS DON'T CARE ABOUT...

10/2/2016

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This is the inevitable follow up to my previous post about what characters do care about but the opposite can also reveal a great deal about them.

For example, Brankaresh doesn't care about justice, women's rights etc given all he is focussed on is becoming the most powerful wizard ever and won't let anything get in his way,  Eileen doesn't care about getting rid of Brankaresh given she feels he has this coming for his attitudes and the fact she has proven time and again he cheats magically and anyone else would have been punished for it by the Fairy Queen.

Your characters still have to have good reasons for not caring.  Is is a question they did once care about an issue/other character etc but what happens to them turns that the other way round?  Life does hit people hard at times.  It should hit your characters hard too and not all will react well. 

Changes, political and otherwise, can bring out the best and worst in people/characters so that could be a good avenue to explore for (a) story ideas and (b) strengthening your creations.  Are your characters afraid of change and, if so, why?  Is change being brought about for good reasons or bad?  Who is behind the changes and what are they hoping to gain from them?  Who will suffer as a result (changes will inevitably cause problems for some)?

All things to think about then in developing characters and stories.
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WHAT DO YOUR CHARACTERS CARE ABOUT?

9/2/2016

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How to tell if your characters come to life well enough to grip potential readers?  Give said characters a driving passion in life, it will affect everything they say and do and is bound to generate conflict.  No conflict = no story. 

Eileen's main characteristic is stubborness which is great for giving her the necessary drive and determination to defeat monsters as she simply won't give up.  That same trait makes relationships unnecessarily complicated for Eileen as she upsets people when she doesn't have to (but that's what makes her a fun character to write for.  I like dropping my characters in it!  Or better still using their traits to get them to drop themselves in it and Eileen does this wonderfully well!).

Eileen also cares passionately about justice which of course generates an immediate conflict with the criminally minded.   Also it can cause conflicts with the Queen and her Council given definitions of what makes up justice can vary.

Brankaresh cares only about power and wants to be the most powerful wizard the Fairy Kingdom has ever seen.  This is not an ambition that is going to go down well (especially with Eileen) so he has to  disguise this.  So something a character cares about can be suppressed or disguised and you generate the immediate conflict as to how well can that character do this?  Will it all go horribly wrong so the disguise falls apart and how would other characters react to that?  Equally will that character keep the disguise up brilliantly and fool everybody?  What will the consequences be?

So to give your stories and characters bite, make them care about something.  Really care.  The be prepared to make sacrifices for type of caring.


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HOW TO ANNOY THE FAIRY QUEEN

8/2/2016

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Another way of working out how well you know your characters is to work out what would annoy them.

Annoying Roxannadrell is generally not considered to be helpful for promoting long life and good health but for those determined to go ahead anyway, some useful pointers are below.

  1. Be Eileen/aka be as awkward as they come, whether it's justified or not.
  2. Try to force the Queen off her throne and/or to marry.
  3. Inundate her with paperwork (a favourite ploy of L'Evallier's when trying to keep his monarch so busy she can't do anything that could be considered disastrous - like trying to force Eileen to do anything.  Eileen will always fight back and the consequences would generally be unwelcome.  L'Evallier came to the conclusion a long time ago that Eileen was best left to her own devices.  He quite likes the proverb about giving someone enough rope...).
  4. If you're Roherum, coming up with and presenting This Week's Royal Gossip Show.  Roxannadrell hates this show.  This is widely known and almost certainly contributes to its high ratings in the fairy realm.
  5. Trying to stop the Queen from literally getting her hands dirty when she gardens.  Part of the appeal of gardening for her is it is so different from her usual role and it is her main way of communing with nature.
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HOW A FAIRY GODMOTHER RELAXES...

7/2/2016

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Naturally it depends on the fairy godmother but Eileen's favourite forms of relaxation are:-

  1. Target Practice with her wand.  And if this is witnessed by others, so much the better.  Eileen sees this as useful training for herself and a warning to those who do watch.  She still does this, despite now living on Earth, but waits until her beloved Derek is out and ensures the force field around her property is enhanced so no other magical being can intervene and attack her.
  2. Reading.  Eileen loves to read a wide range of fiction but is heavily into non-fiction, especially history.  Now based on Earth, she deems it her duty to know as much about the planet as possible.  And she thinks a good place to start is with the past.
  3. Gardening.  Eileen loves planting bulbs (she likes plants that take good care of themselves).  She's not so keen on weeding (Derek does most of that).  She also likes pruning and often recalls those magical villains she cut down to size, sometimes literally, when working in her back garden on lopping back dead wood and so on.  Only a fool or someone incredibly heroic would get in her way when she prunes either magical beings or dead wood.  
  4. Enjoying a Good Drink or several.  Depending on her mood, this can range from tea to wine.
  5. Enjoying a long, hot bath with plenty of bath foam.  Eileen, both when living in the Fairy Kingdom and now on Earth, considers this one of life's simplest but greatest luxuries, especially after obliterating enemies or gardening.
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FAMOUS FIRST WORDS...

7/2/2016

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  1. Of course I'll take the basket of goodies to Grandma's house.  (What is there to be afraid of when walking through a forest because someone has not told me that there's a big bad and talking wolf around?).
  2. Of course I won't mind dancing in glass slippers, fairy godmother.  (Yes, I am grateful I can go to the ball but glass slippers?  Really?  What makes me think these things are going to hurt if I don't watch my steps carefully?).
  3. There's a house with three chairs, three beds and three ready prepared bowls of porridge in it.  Of course I'll pop in.  What could possibly go wrong?  (Someone needs to put their head in gear for this one.  Anyone leaving pre-prepared meals behind and ready to eat really isn't going to be that far away).
  4. Okay, I've got to live in this tower and never cut my hair.  Hmm...  (Rapunzel wonders just what her "carer" is up to - or more accurately should have wondered!).
  5. Right that's the invitations to our baby princess's christening sorted out.  Of course I've included everyone.  What kind of numbskull do you think I am?  (Either of Sleeping Beauty's parents, secretaries etc and ideally all of them really should have double checked and treble checked that guest list.  If in doubt, they should have asked the fairy godmothers they had invited to double check one of their number or closely affiliated magical being had not been left out).
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STORIES

6/2/2016

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The Fairy Kingdom in my stories and novels is in no doubt about the importance of stories.  Story tellers are held in high regard and the classic fairy tales, as we know them, are almost akin to holy writ.  What importance does your fictional world place on stories?  Is imaginative writing encouraged or restricted?

In my magical realm, libraries are in every town and village (though sizes vary.  Village ones are obviously smaller meaning people will go to the larger town ones for a greater range of books).  (There is no question of library closures and cut backs either - one way of telling I definitely write fantasy!).

The biggest library is the one in the Queen's Palace and all, bar the obviously evil, are welcome there.

As for my own work, I am glad to say my stories (and the odd limerick) have appeared in 5 anthologies now.

Picture
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FAMOUS LAST WORDS...

6/2/2016

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  1. I don't care how powerful a witch/wizard you are...  (you soon will!)
  2. There are no dragons in this area...   (you do remember they can fly?).
  3. I can't think why this spell is on the banned list.   I can't see anything wrong with it.   (There's  usually a huge explosion seconds after someone has said this).
  4. The Fairy Queen/Eileen/Chief Witch/Hanastrew (delete as appropriate) will never find out  (really?  Prepared to bet your life on that?).
  5. Everyone knows the rarely sighted monster is vegetarian, no signs of meat consumption have ever been found in its known habitat.  (Ever considered this is because it eats the bones as well?).
  6. What do you mean - an ogre?  What ogre?  (This is cue for the old pantomime cry of "He's behind you"!).
  7. I believe I can fly....  (no, you can't unless you really are a magical being with a broomstick, a spell that enables you to fly or something of that ilk).
  8. If I just nibble some of the gingerbread off the corner of this house made of confectionery, nobody will notice.
  9. What big bad wolf?
  10. Of course I'll keep an eye on the time, fairy godmother.  When have I ever let you down?
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    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. 

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