Religion in Corsica is just as important as in the rest of France – if not more so. You get the sense, though, that the Roman Catholic faith overlays deeper currents of belief, stretching back beyond the birth of Christianity. It’s more elemental, like Corsican music. There wasn’t a place in The House at ZaronzaContinue reading “A #Corsican Easter Procession”
Tag Archives: Corsica
Ten Inspiring Things About #Corsica: Part 2
Here’s part 2 of my post about aspects of Corsica that I find inspiring as a writer. Some of them appear in my novels The House at Zaronza and The Corsican Widow, but all of them are things I want to keep experiencing. In writing this post, I have realised that 10 is far tooContinue reading “Ten Inspiring Things About #Corsica: Part 2”
On the Chaise Longue with Vanessa: Meet Maria Orsini, Main Character in ‘The House at Zaronza’
Normally, I interview real live people. But today, I thought I’d let one of my characters have her say. So joining me on the chaise longue today for some Corsican vin de myrte (myrtle berry wine) and a bit of bean-spilling is my main character from The House at Zaronza, Maria Orsini.
Ten Inspiring Things About Corsica: Part 1
Restricting this to just 10 things has been difficult. Below are five of my favourite Corsican things, places or experiences: find the next five here. They are all part of the landscape/history/culture that inspired my novels The House at Zaronza and The Corsican Widow and will continue to inspire my future writing about Corsica, whetherContinue reading “Ten Inspiring Things About Corsica: Part 1”
Period Pieces: How Much History Should be in Your Fiction?
A fellow author interviewed me recently for a forthcoming slot on her blog. I won’t spill any beans, except to say that she asked me some thought-provoking questions, one of which was about writing historical fiction, my genre of choice. I gave a concise answer, and I still believe what I said, but have beenContinue reading “Period Pieces: How Much History Should be in Your Fiction?”
Why Corsica Should be a Happy Hunting Ground for Authors
I went to a very interesting talk at the Parisot Literary Festival in October 2013 by former journalist and think-tank head Martin Walker. It was about why France is a happy hunting ground for authors. Martin should know: he has written a successful series of novels set in the Dordogne about Bruno, an engaging localContinue reading “Why Corsica Should be a Happy Hunting Ground for Authors”
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”
Vanessa Couchman 