This blog has been a bit quiet recently, but there’s a reason for that. Along with countless others, I emerged from National Novel Writing Month on 30th November, having just about snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. I hit the requisite 50K words on 25th November, but I’m still feeling a bit shell-shocked.
Author Archives: Vanessa in France
Letters from Elsewhere: Rachel Swift
Originally posted on Miriam Drori, Author:
Today, you’re invited to meet Rachel Swift, who tops and tails The House at Zaronza by Vanessa Couchman, another great Crooked Cat read. Here is her letter to Maria Orsini, whom she never met but who had a great influence on the lives of Rachel’s family. Dear Maria, You died long…
Revisiting Inspiration on Corsica
Should you go back to places that have a special significance in your memory, or where you have found inspiration? It can turn out to be disappointing. They might have changed beyond recognition, or the magic you experienced might simply have dissipated. So, it was with some misgivings that I recently revisited the Corsican village where IContinue reading “Revisiting Inspiration on Corsica”
NaNo or NoNo? How to Survive National Novel Writing Month
Is it that time of year again? Well not quite, but it comes upon you before you know it. Having spent the past few months on paid work, my fiction-typing fingers are tingling and the ideas are flowing. I need space to write and I can’t do it with clients and deadlines snapping at myContinue reading “NaNo or NoNo? How to Survive National Novel Writing Month”
My Biggest Lesson on my Book’s First Birthday
Where does it go? Time, I mean. It’s not so long ago that I was slaving over a hot computer to write The House at Zaronza (actually, it will be three years in November). And surely it’s only yesterday that it was published? No, today it’s my novel’s first birthday. Now it enters theContinue reading “My Biggest Lesson on my Book’s First Birthday”
SEVEN SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO FIND INSPIRATION
Originally posted on Jane Bwye:
I am honoured to welcome Vanessa Couchman to my AUTHOR COUNTDOWN today. A freelance writer and author based in France, she runs a copywrighting business, and is often asked the question: Where do you find inspiration? Inspiration is the magic key that opens the door to the world of imagination. It’s no good…
On the Chaise Longue with Vanessa: Meet Author Tim Taylor
On the Chaise Longue with Vanessa: Meet Author Tim Taylor My latest victim guest on the chaise longue is author Tim Taylor. We share some things in common: a first degree at Oxford University followed by a career in the public services (although I worked in book publishing in between). We also have publication byContinue reading “On the Chaise Longue with Vanessa: Meet Author Tim Taylor”
On the Chaise Longue with Vanessa: Meet Author Sue Barnard
On the Chaise Longue with Vanessa: Meet Author Sue Barnard I’m very pleased to welcome back my friend and fellow Crooked Cat author Sue Barnard – who is also my editor! She is a lady of many talents and has a range of short stories, poems and three published novels to her credit. She wrote aContinue reading “On the Chaise Longue with Vanessa: Meet Author Sue Barnard”
Relatively Speaking…
Relatively Speaking… I loathe promoting myself and always have done. I was brought up not to boast, not to push myself forward and never to ask for things for myself. Not a good training for an author these days, eh? With gritted teeth, I have launched myself on social media and, while I do enjoyContinue reading “Relatively Speaking…”
On the Chaise Longue with Vanessa: Meet Author Nancy Jardine @nansjar
Joining me today is a lovely lady whom I had the pleasure of meeting at last year’s Crooked Cat author bash. Nancy Jardine is a prolific author who squeezes more out of each day than anyone else I know. She wrote a great guest post for me about using photos and I’m delighted to welcomeContinue reading “On the Chaise Longue with Vanessa: Meet Author Nancy Jardine @nansjar”
Vanessa Couchman 