Author Archives: Vanessa in France

Epiphany, the Day of the Kings, in France

    This is another of my contributions to Christmas with the Crooked Cats, our seasonal serving of short stories, poetry and non-fiction articles. The Twelve Days of Christmas are almost over, but our event goes on until 9th January. Epiphany takes place tomorrow, but Crooked Cat friend Sue Barnard will be posting then, soContinue reading “Epiphany, the Day of the Kings, in France”

A Corsican Christmas in Times Past

I live in southwest France but I’m very attached to the island of Corsica and fascinated by its culture and customs. My historical novel The House at Zaronza takes place mostly on Corsica during the early 20th century. The main character, Maria, goes to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve with her parents. How did CorsicansContinue reading “A Corsican Christmas in Times Past”

Corsica, Setting for THE HOUSE AT ZARONZA, a Top Destination

Have you been to Corsica? No? Then get there fast: National Geographic Traveler Magazine recently put Corsica in the no. 1 spot out of its top 20 chosen destinations for 2015. I’m not surprised. The island has everything: a wonderful landscape with azure seas, jagged mountains and perched hilltop villages, a fascinating culture and a turbulentContinue reading “Corsica, Setting for THE HOUSE AT ZARONZA, a Top Destination”

…Authoress Vanessa Couchman shares the genesis of her historical novel, THE HOUSE AT ZARONZA…

Originally posted on Seumas Gallacher:
…yeez may often wonder as do I, from whence (posh WURD, that, Mabel, ‘whence’…it means ‘from where’) Authors derive their ideas and plots … sum’times it’s a wee incident that sticks in yer mind… other times the glimpse of a place and a feeling yeez get while ye’re there… or p’raps…

Here is my interview with Vanessa Couchman

Originally posted on authorsinterviews:
Name Vanessa Couchman Age Old enough to have achieved experience but probably not wisdom. Where are you from I grew up in southern England but I have lived full-time in south-west France for the past 17 years. A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc I grew up…

My novel, The House at Zaronza, to be published by Crooked Cat Publishing

Originally posted on Life on La Lune:
Saint-Florent, Corsica I’m thrilled to announce that my novel, The House at Zaronza, will be published by independent publishers Crooked Cat Publishing, probably this summer. The novel is based partly on a true story, which we discovered on holiday in Corsica in 2012. It is set against the…

Very Close Runner-Up in Flash 500 Novel Opening Competition

I need to point out that this is an old post, written in December 2013. Anyone wanting the results of the current Flash 500 Novel Opening Competition will have to wait until they are officially released.  A couple of months ago, I entered the first 3,000 words and synopsis of my novel, The House atContinue reading “Very Close Runner-Up in Flash 500 Novel Opening Competition”

The Next Big Thing – Writers Abroad’s Latest Anthology

Originally posted on Life on La Lune:
Front cover **Please note this post dates from 2013, but the anthology is still available on Amazon.** Every year since 2010, the online writing group for expat writers to which I belong – Writers Abroad – has published an anthology. Since we are spread across the globe and…

National Flash Fiction Day 16th May 2012

Tomorrow, 16th May, is National Flash-Fiction Day (NFFD) in the UK, celebrating this short story form. What is flash fiction? A very short but complete story, normally 500 words or less. It usually has an unexpected twist at the end which resolves in some way the problem posed at the beginning for the main character. FlashFlood,Continue reading “National Flash Fiction Day 16th May 2012”