Where’s Parisot? It’s a hilltop village in Tarn-et-Garonne, Southwest France. You could be forgiven – but would be mistaken – for passing it by. Mistaken, not only because it has some interesting historical sites to see, but also because it hosts an Anglo-French literary festival every October.
Author Archives: Vanessa in France
Charroux Literary Festival August 2017
If you live in France (or even if you don’t; make a trip of it), there are various Anglo-French literary events going on this year. First up is the Charroux Literary Festival, a biennial event that takes place from Thursday 24th to Saturday 26th August this year. Charroux is located in the Vienne Département, north-westContinue reading “Charroux Literary Festival August 2017”
Murder and Mayhem in la France Profonde: Angela Wren’s Merle
It gives me great pleasure to welcome author Angela Wren to the blog today. Angela is a Francophile and writes a series of detective novels set in the Cévennes, featuring investigator Jacques Forêt. Merle, the latest in the series, is published on 5th July by Crooked Cat Books.
Scent of Corsica: the Maquis
Can you name some famous Corsicans? There’s the obvious one, Napoleon Bonaparte. Slightly less obvious ones are the singer Tino Rossi, and Pasquale di Paoli, who headed the short-lived independent Corsican republic in the 18th century. But did you know that François Coty, who founded the famous Coty perfume empire, was also Corsican?
History People #10: Katharine Johnson, Inspired by Italy
Today, I’m delighted to welcome Katharine Johnson to the History People slot. Lucky Katharine has lived in Italy, which has provided inspiration for her writing and she’s supplied some mouth-watering shots of Italian views and villages below. But I’ll let her tell you about that.
History People #9: Jennifer C. Wilson, Haunted by Royalty!
I’m very excited to welcome my friend and Crooked Cat author Jennifer Wilson as my latest History Person. In advance of the launch of her second novel next week, Jen tells us how she came to be haunted by royal phantoms!
My Main Character Has Her Say…
When you’ve spent months, or even years, with your characters they somehow take on a surprising reality and a life of their own. I felt a bit empty when I typed ‘The End’ to The House at Zaronza since I had become very fond of my main character, Maria Orsini.
Food and Diet in Corsican History
Finding out about the daily lives and concerns of your characters is hard, especially when they aren’t famous historical figures. You don’t want to put all the details of food, dress, housing, etc. into your novel, but you still have to provide a convincing social background to the story.
History People #8: Tim Taylor Looks at the Boundaries of Historical Fiction
Today, I’m delighted to welcome a fellow Crooked Cat author, Tim ‘T E’ Taylor, to the History People slot. He looks at the ways in which history has inspired his novels, and continues to do so. Take it away, Tim.
Sunday Sojourn – Soap-making in Marseille
Originally posted on Jennifer C. Wilson:
Happy Sunday everyone! Today, we’re visiting Marseilles with Vanessa Couchman, and learning about soap-making in Marseilles… Thank you for inviting me, Jen. It’s great to be back. As it’s Sunday, here’s a nice clean subject. We all use soap, don’t we? (At least, I hope so!). It’s the kind…
Vanessa Couchman 