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Welcome

I started this blog in 2013 to share my reflections on reading, writing and psychology, along with my journey to become a published novelist.​  I soon graduated to about twenty book reviews a month and a weekly 99-word story. Ten years later, I've transferred my writing / publication updates to my new website but will continue here with occasional reviews and flash fiction pieces, and maybe the odd personal post.

ANNE GOODWIN'S WRITING NEWS

Libraries, Fictional Heroines and International Women

7/3/2016

18 Comments

 
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Who doesn’t love a blog poll? This time last year, I asked you to choose between five fictional heroines to mark International Women’s Day, and I enjoyed it so much I thought I’d have another bash, especially when I realised that World Book Day falls only a few days before International Women’s. I’ll admit that I haven’t ploughed systematically through a whole twelve months of reviews to select my shortlist, but I think this year’s five are a good representation of the range of heroic female characters we might encounter on the page. I’m presenting them in alphabetical order and, remember, it you don’t have to have read the books, or even the reviews, to vote.

In an era in which well-bred women idled the days away at home, and orphans were considered to have no need to learn to write, Dawnay in Song of the Sea Maid, not only gets herself an education, but travels abroad researching the origins of life.

In a country that regards her sexuality as an abomination, and reeks violent retribution on those who don’t comply, Ijeoma, the central character in Under the Udala Trees, defies the church, her mother and convention to discover how she can truly love.

Nora in The Woman Upstairs is an artist, empathic early-years teacher, and loyal friend. She’s also enraged at a thoughtless betrayal, but this might just be the making of her.

After a fatal car accident of which she has no memory, Pilgrim travels to Africa where, in confronting her own guilt and shame for what she’s done, she faces up to the dark side of being human in Melanie Finn’s novel, Shame.

In The Wolf Border, Rachel confronts her own wildness as well as that of the landscape when she accepts a job reintroducing wolves into the English countryside, while going on to have a child alone.

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World Book Day on Thursday found me at one of the local libraries to talk about my debut novel, Sugar and Snails. I was very lucky to find not only a lively audience, some members of which had already read my book, and enjoyed it enough to come along and meet me, but cake baked by the dedicated staff.  As a lover of libraries, I held one of my  launch events at the  volunteer-run library in Jesmond where  the contemporary strand of my novel is set. Librarians, both male and female, are pretty heroic lot in many ways, not only in their support for readers and writers, and connecting the two together, but in providing a community hub and safe space for everyone, including those living on the margins and the neurodiverse.

My flash fiction piece A Place of Safety is about a librarian. It features a social worker too. For my 99-word story in response to the latest prompt from Charli Mills I’ve combined the two to explore the low-key social service libraries provide. The resulting transformation is exaggerated for effect, I’ll admit, but not that much!
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Library therapy


On Monday, she crouched in the corner, snarling at anyone who came too close. On Tuesday, she wandered between the shelves, rubbing a grubby hand along the spines. On Wednesday, she selected a book of poetry and sniffed each page. On Thursday, she plonked herself on a beanbag for story time with the reception kids. On Friday, she sat at a table and read a detective novel from beginning to end. On Saturday, she asked for a library card but we couldn’t supply one without an address. On Monday, she arrived clean and spruced, saying she wanted a job.

Thanks for reading. I'd love to know what you think. If you've enjoyed this post, you might like to sign up via the sidebar for regular email updates and/or my quarterly Newsletter.
18 Comments
Lisa Reiter link
7/3/2016 01:57:23 pm

I love both the progression of the post and the flash! Very clever!

And I've voted - you can probably see who for as it feels like I might be first here?! LOL

Lisa

Reply
Annecdotist
7/3/2016 04:52:22 pm

Thanks, Lisa. I won't look until there are couple more in though I'm entitled to vote too of course.

Reply
Judith Post link
7/3/2016 05:43:57 pm

I enjoyed your flash fiction. Yes, the transformation was quick, but it IS flash fiction:) Well done.

Reply
Annecdotist
8/3/2016 10:49:51 am

Thanks, Judith, if only life worked at that pace! Or maybe not.

Reply
Sarah link
7/3/2016 11:33:11 pm

Oh, I love this flash! You're right, it is a bit fast-paced but it would make an absolutely brilliant short story. Off to vote. :-)

Reply
Annecdotist
8/3/2016 10:50:51 am

Thanks, Sarah, will have to think about that. Probably would work better if she ends up as a volunteer.

Reply
Jeanne Lombardo link
8/3/2016 05:55:09 am

Been absent from the blogosphere for a couple of weeks but have been following your posts and just had to comment on this one. Loved the mini-reviews and am pondering which heroine to "endorse." Also, love your expression, the "neurodiverse." Have not come across the word before but if there ever was a time for such a word, now must be that time! And libraries....here of course with the political hoopla, attention is once again turned (albeit with an agenda) to the under-served and marginal. Libraries are not only one of the truly great public institutions but also these days a last haven for so many people. Loved your flash Anne and the way you tied in the two themes of social service and universal access to books! And thanks for pulling me in!

Reply
Annecdotist
8/3/2016 10:54:50 am

Well, Jeanne, even if it's cynical, at least there's some recognition that the disadvantaged have legitimate needs. Here the main agenda seems to be cutting support to the vulnerable, or anything that serves community, to keep the bankers happy.
Glad I could pull you in!

Reply
geoff link
8/3/2016 10:22:50 am

voted on the basis of your pen sketches given I've not read any of these books - is that permitted! Jealous of the cake!

Reply
Annecdotist
8/3/2016 10:56:49 am

Of course! I doubt I'd get anyone to vote if I tried to apply that criterion.
Yeah, the cake was a boon, as well as arriving at the same time as a woman with my book in her hand that she'd borrowed from the library a couple of days before (and finished).

Reply
Norah Colvin link
8/3/2016 11:37:24 am

I really enjoyed this post. Loved the reminders re the books. There are a few there I'd like to read. I think I have voted. I was naughty (surprise surprise) and selected two so am not sure if they have registered. Perhaps I should have checked out the existing votes first! How lovely to be talking to some fans on World Book Day. What a buzz they would have got from talking to the author "in the flesh". I remember when we met in London and you were able to give the secret advance news of your becoming a published novelist. Goosebumps. I knew you before you were a famous novelist!
I love your flash. Cynical or not, it does show the important role that libraries have for communities. Until I got to the end and the character was definitely an adult, it reminded me of a little girl I used to teach. I was always keen on bibliotherapy. Books (libraries and librarians) offer a great social service.

Reply
Annecdotist
8/3/2016 05:27:38 pm

Thanks, Norah, I do think you're dedicated support for the blog entitles you to more than one vote if the poll allows it!
My library session was certainly fun but (although I have done a few others) probably more of a novelty for me than it was for them! I think we'd probably have time to squeeze in another in the flesh meeting before I get to be a famous novelist. Still, it's great that my book's out there being read.
Interesting that the flash made you think of a girl you taught – probably lots of people in that situation which is why we NEED LIBRARIES. (Sorry for shouting, I know I don't need to tell you that.)

Reply
Charli Mills
9/3/2016 01:58:12 am

That's what I like about fiction -- the ability to exaggerate timelines to reveal a powerful truth. I appreciate your perspective on the social service benefits of the library. I enjoyed participating in your poll, too! Thanks!

Reply
Annecdotist
10/3/2016 02:08:05 pm

Isn't time elastic anyway? Thanks for reading and voting, Charli.

Reply
Rowena link
9/3/2016 07:42:16 am

Happy International Women's Day. I'll be off to a dinner on Monday where we light candles for women around the world. I'm really looking forward to it.
I enjoyed your post and perhaps the days could be symbolic.
Hope yu have a great week.
xx Rowena

Reply
Annecdotist
10/3/2016 02:10:13 pm

Happy IWD to you too, Rowena. The dinner sounds great – Hope you enjoy it.

Reply
issajamafivesok link
14/6/2017 07:58:29 am

Very Interesting Story.Thanks for sharing!!!

Reply
Annecdotist
14/6/2017 10:24:46 am

Glad you liked it and thanks for visiting my blog.

Reply

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