Tag: new series

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Books That's Not Me

Announcing a New Series

Friday is the day for a new and exciting series of posts I’m calling:

“That’s Not Me!”

To start off the series, I’m delighted to host Joan Livingston, author of thirteen books so far, whose post will appear on this blog next Friday, 4th August.

Here are the ideas behind the series:

Why do some writers of fiction get upset at the suggestion that one of their characters might be autobiographical? Do we think that fiction ought to be pure fiction? That every character must be totally made up and not based on ourselves or anyone we know or have crossed paths with? Do we feel it’s cheating to insert a bit of real life into our stories?

And yet, we want readers to see themselves or others in our fiction. Because that will help them to empathise with the protagonists, and empathy will help to connect them to the story. And they’re more likely to see themselves if characters are based on real people.

“Write what you know” is a tip often doled out to writers. What you know can be something you’ve researched well. But more often than not, it’s something you’ve experienced.

What’s wrong with writing about our own experiences? Why do some writers become defensive at the very suggestion?

I think all fiction contains a bit of the writer, whether intentionally or not. I don’t see a problem with that.

Of course, the experience or character that the author shares with their fictional story might be something or someone the author would prefer to keep private. If so, the author would be hard put to answer the question, “How much of xxx is autobiographical?” Even a refusal to answer it could lead to unwanted assumptions.

This is the basis for That’s Not Me, a series of guest posts from writers of fiction.

If you want to contribute a post for the series, please let me know via Contact me above or Twitter or Facebook, after reading the rest of this post.

What can be in a post

  • A personal account
  • A fictional story
  • A historical account
  • A relevant extract from your fiction

What can’t be in a post

  • Politics
  • Racism
  • Sexism
  • Intolerance
Categories
SIM Talks with Miriam

Introducing a New Series

#SIMTalksWithMiriam

#SIMTalksWithMiriam

It’s 2019 and time for something new on this blog. New and old. I’ve veered away from the topics of this blog lately, but will be getting back on track with SIM Talks (hashtag: #SIMTalksWithMiriam).

Each week, on Friday, I or a guest blogger will talk about one (or more) of three topics:

  • Social anxiety
  • Israel
  • Misunderstandings

The talk can take the form of a written piece or a video. It can be about anything connected to one or more of the three topics except for politics and any sort of intolerance. (I’ve never encountered intolerance on this blog, but wanted to make that clear.)

If you want to take part, please let me know via Contact me above or Twitter or Facebook.

Next week’s post is by Jess B. Moore, author of The Guilt of a Sparrow and Fierce Grace.

Let’s make 2019 a year of more understanding, empathy and compassion.
Different ≠ Wrong.

Categories
Books

Letters from Elsewhere

Letters from ElsewhereYou’ve always felt lost on Fridays, haven’t you? You wandered around aimlessly, frantically searching for an excuse not to do cleaning or ironing or some other chore.

Well, search no longer. Here, on this very space, every Friday, characters will pop out of fiction to talk to you about… anything. And then they’ll hasten back again, so that you can see them in their worlds when you buy the books they come from. All you have to do is to come along to this blog and read what they have to say.

When does all this start? Next Friday, 4 September. Where? Right here. I’m looking forward to it.