This week it’s my great pleasure to welcome my virtual friend, author Louise Charles (whose real name is Jo Lamb). Louise is a talented author and founder of ex-pat writing community Writers Abroad. She self-published her historical novel, The Duke’s Shadow, in 2014, which was shortlisted as one of the finest eight novels in theContinue reading “On the Chaise Longue with Vanessa: Meet Author Louise Charles @LouCwriter”
Tag Archives: fiction
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?”
Guest post: What a lovely picture! What a lovely photograph….
Today I’m delighted to welcome the versatile and irrepressible novelist Nancy Jardine to the blog. She’s writing about using images. So, over to you, Nancy. Images. Who loves to pop them onto a blog or Facebook post? Or use them in advertising material for a new book launch? Or use them in a bookContinue reading “Guest post: What a lovely picture! What a lovely photograph….”
On the Chaise Longue with Vanessa: Meet Author @MiriamDrori
A warm welcome to my first victim visitor. Joining me on the chaise longue today is novelist and fellow Crooked Cat Publishing author Miriam Drori. Her début novel Neither Here Nor There was published last year. Thanks for visiting and agreeing to answer my questions, Miriam. Let’s get started.
New Departures
Two bits of news. First, after much dithering, I have finally started the sequel to The House at Zaronza. When I say started, I mean that I have begun to plan it in detail. The actual writing comes a bit later.
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”
Milestones or millstones? Or how to stop beating yourself up when your writing goals elude you
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I invariably break them before January is over. And there’s something about these worthy tablets of stone that kills one’s enthusiasm even before they are fully formulated. For a few years, I faithfully used to set out my writing goals for the year. I even tried to make themContinue reading “Milestones or millstones? Or how to stop beating yourself up when your writing goals elude you”
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”
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…
Vanessa Couchman 