Suzy Davies's Blog: Book News - Posts Tagged "fiction"

It is nearly two years since my debut novel, “Johari’s Window,” was published. I have been re-reading my book, and now time and distance have given me new insights into what I have written.

The novel which, elsewhere, I have described as a love letter and a game, is also a kind of quest novel, not only about the quest for love, but it also charts the quest of one woman to discover what life is about, and the unintended consequence of her soul-searching is in her discovery of herself as a writer.

The central chapter in the book is, “The Window,” chapter, which describes the genesis of the artistic imagination in a kind of natural “fire walk” in the Forest of Dean, England. This walk of fire, through grassy woodland, is created by the rays of the sun, which burn through “The Cathedral” window sculpture, suspended between two giant trees. The grass appears to burn with fire, like the artistic imagination set alight, and inspired.

Of course, the memory of this vision also contains the memory of the artist as a child; that of spinning round and round, in circles, in the “Brookie Fields” of her childhood, the dizziness and euphoria recreating the world as a kaleidoscope, with the ecstasy of whirling forms of light-saturated color. The patterns and forms are dynamic. They reform and change, thrilling and surprising us, and such is life.

My novel is postmodern in form, and the mimetic text is playful, mirroring the color and chiaroscuro shades of a world which is always changing in the memory of the writer, and which always reflects back the essence of who we are, and who we may become.

The famous psychological theory of personality was the idea behind the title. And life is a quest, in which our memories are stories we tell ourselves, and others, about our personal journeys, our personal quest. We are always recreating, and layering, our memories as current scenarios remind us of our past. We may be drawn to echoes of the past, even as we step bravely forward into new lives and new futures.

The “Journey Beneath The Stars” chapter in my book, is without a doubt, pivotal to the spirit of the novel. In“Johari’s Window” I wish to foreground the “unsung heroines” who charted a course to prepare the way for their sisters to voyage. To draw an analogy, the woman sailor Jeanne Baret, navigated and sailed on “L’Etoile” to be the first ever woman to circumnavigate the globe, and journey into New Worlds, yet, in her time, her story was never brought to light, because this woman sailor, disguised as a man, could never tell “her” story.

I use artistic license to say her journey was through darkness.

And it is under the cover of the night, that we foreground our feelings over thinking, subjectivity over objectivity. It is only in a voyage of dreams that we may return to the wild, and know ourselves as primitive. In this, “primitive,” is everything, “known before,” and deep in our collective conscience. This territory shows forth in the language of dreams, and it is with this language, in stories of archetypes, myths and legends, that we may better understand who we are.

Copyright Suzy Davies, Author, 08/10/2016. All Rights Reserved.

Today we celebrate World Environment Day!

My newly-released book, "Snugs The Snow Bear," is a tale of friendship, loyalty and belonging, which teaches children about Climate Change, Green Issues, Global Warming and The Environment.

My book would make a meaningful gift for a child today.

There has never been a more appropriate time to celebrate this beautiful earth, and to safeguard the future of our children, and generations to come.

My book is a celebration of this beautiful planet, and all that nature gives to us. I hope you will enjoy family time reading my book with your kids!

This is an answer I gave in response to a question on Quora.

I often crack the joke,”I was born in Reading.” This has a dual meaning. I was born in Reading, Berkshire, in England. I was also “born” as a would-be writer from reading books! In this answer, I talk about how to cultivate writing skills for Fiction only.

Reading and writing are “opposites” in a sense, but doing a great deal of reading will cultivate your knowledge of writing.

First of all, read books that teach you English Grammar basics, how to write sentences and paragraphs that work. They are, after all, the building blocks of good chapters, and good books. There is no short cut to this, but it is a crucial part of being a writer. I like “The Elements of Style,” by Strunk and White, and “English Grammar in Use,” by Raymond Murphy.

Next, choose some books to read (or revisit the ones you already have,) which have stood the test of time, and are regarded by the literary world as good books.

I don’t mean reading in the casual sense. I mean being selective about what you read, and a close analysis of why you admire and like a particular book. You may even dislike some books that are highly esteemed by the critics. However, you need to know what doesn’t work for you, and why.

Read a book quickly on your first read to get an overall feel of the writing. Then, scan the book on the second read, paying very close attention to how things work. A third read, and you will be very familiar with the book.

You need to scrutinize things such as the style of writing - is it simple and pared down, as in the style of Raymond Chandler? Is it poetic, as in the style of James Joyce or Dylan Thomas? Is it cinematic, as in the style of Truman Capote? Is it atmospheric, as in the style of Daphne Du Maurier? Whatever the writing style, every word must count.

Read books on the writing devices which are used by famous writers, and do close reading to analyse the ways in which these writers use their “methods.”

O.K, this may take some of the spontaneity out of your read, but the rewards you reap will be bountiful.

Read each book you select with a purpose. Some writers are known for the brilliance of characterisation and dialogue, others for their plot devices, and others the atmosphere of scenes and settings.

All good writers are good observers, with an eye for detail, and the big picture.

What kinds of details do they leave to the readers’ imaginations? As illogical as this may sound, what do they “not say.” Gaps, silences and absences in a writer’s text speak volumes.

What are the “grand themes” of their books? What kinds of themes are they, and what makes these themes important to their readers?

Some writers are inventive, and they break conventional rules of genre and language. You may be tempted to do the same yourself. But, a cautionary word here! You need to be a seasoned writer to get away with breaking rules or being unconventional. When you have mastery, that is the time to burn the rule books if you so wish!

Another important aspect of being a writer is development of good observational skills. Certain hobbies may help you develop “the eye” for detail, such as Photography, Watching Films, Drawing or Painting, Sewing, being an umpire at football matches, Fly Fishing, Bird Watching, and so-on.

Try to cultivate an ear for language, too. Listening to songs or studying languages can help with this.

Nurture your memory! I am not just talking about visual memory. I mean memory in all the senses - visual, auditory, touch, olfactory.

People-watching in everyday life is the best way to sharpen your memory, strengthen your observational skills, and develop a good ear for language.

Whenever you go anywhere, jot down anything that strikes you as interesting - scenes, people, situations, and so on. Pay close attention to the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings, scenes and situations evoke. Notice people’s idiosyncrasies and not just what they do, but how they do things. Eavesdrop on conversations. Try to imagine the context of what you hear. Be nosy! Take the question words Why, Who, What, When, Where, Which, How, How many, and so on, with you wherever you go, and use them to ask yourself about what you are witnessing. Write down quirky names of people and places to add flesh to what you write.

Another method for developing your skills is to watch T.V. I watch T.V with the sound turned off. No, I am not an expert lip-reader! I create dialogue in my head, and try to make it fit the film I am watching. Watch the action for a while, make some jottings, and then turn on the sound to see if you had the right idea. The answer, of course, is that there is no right and wrong, unless you completely misunderstood what you saw!

You can also listen to drama on the radio. Now, your task is to visualise people and places from what you hear!

Some people have better imaginations than others, but you can still cultivate your imagination and ability to think creatively. I find dreamwork and meditation useful for this. Keep a dream diary, and make a note of the archetypes you meet in your dreams. If you don’t remember your dreams, visit a meditation practioner, and go on a guided meditation - a kind of journey that will help you tap into your subconscious. Strange as this may sound, if you want to write fiction, you will need to tap into this primitive, often hidden side of your personality.

If you develop your imagination, you will be able to write your own stories from a simple stimulus such as an everyday object, a souvenir, a work of art or a piece of music.

Another piece of advice is “Writer know thyself.” Have an idea of your own strengths and weaknesses, and write what you are familiar with, and know. Remember you are a unique individual and bring your unique self and life experiences to your work as a writer! This is what will interest your readers. Show them what you want to say - don’t tell them! Readers like to feel they have discovered things for themselves.

Be self-aware. Ask yourself “What kind of writer am I?” Your authorial voice will be quite distinct from that of other writers. You need to know where your boundaries are - what is you, and what is not you, to create your characters. The paradox is that through writing, you will get to know yourself better than you ever did before!

Being a writer will develop you, and it may change you. As you practise your skills, you will discover that being a writer is a process, not a goal.

If you are serious about writing, write every day, and spend time reflecting on what you have written, so you go from strength to strength. Always take time out to reenergise! You will revisit what you have written, with a fresh mind! Writing can be hard work, so when you need it, request feedback from beta readers, and take their advice.

Above all else, find your own voice, and do not be a poor imitation of anyone else.

Writing buddies and writing coaches will help you when you are stuck, and can be a wonderful source of inspiration to encourage and inspire you on your journey as a writer.

Tomorrow I'm chatting with Jonathan Hines of U.K Talk Radio about my new Children's Book, "Luna The Moon Pig, The Pig Who Hid" which is released on December 9th, 2017. Watch social media for details of tune in times.

https://twitter.com/birdwriter7/statu...

Tune in to my author reading of "Luna The Moon Pig" Illustrated in color with hand-drawn cartoon-style illustrations by the celebrated Sheila Graber, award-winning world-acclaimed Artist, Animator and Educator who drew Paddington Bear for B.B.C Children's Television Paddington Bear Programmes!

https://twitter.com/birdwriter7/statu...

It is well-known that the name of the author of “Harry Potter” books - J. K. Rowling - is such because Rowling wanted her name to appeal to boys who would read her books. Her publisher decided that to appeal to a young male audience, (as well as females,) who might be put off by the notion of a woman writing “their” books, it was better to use the initial “J” and add the “K,” perhaps for extra authority - Rowling did not have a middle name.

Any author of Young Adult Books has to make their own choices with regard to their pen name, if any.

But I have chosen to stick with “Suzy Davies” for my new release on Smashwords, “The Cave,” because if I am the only woman to write about the Thai Cave, (among a proliferation of male authors,) so be it.

My version of the Thai Cave story has all the so-called “masculine” elements of an action adventure story interwoven with a thread of mysticism and the supernatural.

In “The Cave” I bring bonds of family love, which the boys themselves acknowledge helped them through their challenges, to the foreground.

My book balances fact and fiction, thought and feeling, mind and body, the private sphere and public sphere, and questions gender stereotypes.

I have Hans Christian Andersen to thank for giving me the idea that mermaids helped the Navy Seals in their Heroic mission. The film, “Bend it Like Beckham” inspired me to create industrious Jintara, the heroine seamstress/artist in the story, who plays football as well as any boy hero. And little Lec, Jintara’s brother, and the hero of the tale, is strong and sensitive.

The Thai Cave could easily be reduced to a cliche - an epic tale of The Heroic - without acknowledging the women heroines whose power to love and to nurture brought those Wild Boars home.

Suzy Davies, Author, “The Cave” Copyright 2018, All Rights Reserved.

https://t.co/LbWcaLJViI

Sometimes, people overlook the value of reading fantasy to children because of our obsession with a hierarchy of knowledge that places “realism” above “fantasy” and “science” above “art.”

We want to cram our children’s heads full of facts, such is our banking system of education. But this is not what education is about.

Although my brain is more artistic than scientific, I value science and hope that my books will help to develop the imaginations of scientists in the making as well as budding artists. And I think they will! For nothing that has ever been invented by a scientist has been invented without an imaginative brain. And nothing created by an artist is created without the capacity to envision something out of the ordinary.

Although both my children’s books are based in reality, they are full of modern parables, tales within tales. This kind of fantasy is created at metaphorical level in the text and allows for a multiplicity of meanings and scope for children’s imaginations. It is through exploring the many threads that combining of metaphors can create, that children learn to innovate for themselves.

Learning to put unusual things together at metaphorical level helps "out of the box" thinking.

Older children will also learn to reason. Not all possible meanings in a text are equally valid. They will use logic and reason to uncover what is the most likely interpretation of the book or what the author intended the meaning to be. And they will have opinions of their own.

Some time ago a reviewer of “Snugs The Snow Bear” seemed to misunderstand why I had mentioned The Northern Lights in my snow bear tale, and gone into some detail describing them. They, of course, were a metaphor for the supernatural magic of the snow bear, and were meant to indicate that he should be free to show up like them, as part of nature, part of the environment and natural beauty of the world.

At another level, an older child might interpret these lights as triggers to fantastic memories of home, a kind of analogy to the way in which memory operates like cinema - a series of flashing images before one’s eyes, that can be fleeting and transitory. Of course, at a more literal level, The Northern Lights immediately conjure up the snow bear in his natural environment.

A quirky metaphor in Snugs The Snow Bear is an egg-timer. I will not reveal the literal meaning in the text here. But at metaphorical level, it may be interpreted to represent the “sands of time” running out on climate change.

Children’s books that are written clearly and simply mean very young kids can read them and enjoy them. Those that also have rich layers of meaning allow older children and adults to enjoy them, too.

It is my belief that imagination is like a muscle. Use it often enough, and you will develop it.

If we are to see future generations of artists, scientists, great thought leaders and innovative business people in the making, they will need imagination in bucketloads.

Children’s books are a rehearsal for life. Through fantasy, children can learn to problem solve, put themselves in the position of the characters and develop an imaginative empathy for others, including animals.

Rather than dumbing down and short-changing our kids, we should be posing questions about the world around them for which they can seek answers and solutions.

This does not mean our books have to be dry and boring. On the contrary, through being entertained, children will surprise us with the discoveries their imaginative minds make.

I have had a few people ask me where they can find my book, "The Cave"

It's an ebook on Smashwords.

Here's the link to my profile where you can find a review of my book:

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...

Here's the link direct to "The Cave" on Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...