‘Ich grolle nicht’: Singing from the heart in my novel Concerto
At the heart of my new novel Concerto is music – beautiful, poignant and cathartic.
Category: Inspiration for my writing
Originality in writing: an impossible ideal?
Back in Shakespeare’s day, a writer was expected to copy a classical work; ‘unnecessary invention’ was frowned upon. According to Jack Lynch, in his article ‘The Perfectly Acceptable Practice of Literary Theft: Plagiarism, Copyright, and the Eighteenth Century’, it was only in the 18th century that originality became an ideal. But is this an impossible ideal?
On writing strong, independent heroines
Do you remember the first time you experienced Romeo and Juliet? For me, it was in my early teens, sitting in the audience of a playhouse and watching actors interpret Shakespeare’s classic lines. I found the romance between Romeo and Juliet so beautiful, especially the balcony scene.
‘We must be treated as equals’: Louis Braille’s genius invention and my novel Concerto
In my latest novel, Concerto, music therapist Catriona travels to Lake Como, Italy, to work with a new client. Umberto was once a celebrated pianist composer, but since he went blind he has lost all interest in composing. He is embittered, recalcitrant and depressed, and Catriona has her work cut out trying to guide him back to the piano.
La Traviata, Madam Butterfly and Carmen: operatic inspirations for my writing
Opera is a key theme in my novel Concerto. The heroine, Catriona, is a young woman who dreams of becoming an opera singer. She has the passion, and the talent: she attends the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Nice, and has made the final in a competition to earn a place at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse in Paris, which would launch her career in the world of opera. Then she meets composer Umberto Rolando Monteverdi, and her life takes an entirely unexpected twist.
A view to inspire: Castle Hill, Nice
In my new book, Concerto, the story begins in Nice, on the French Riviera. My heroine, Catriona, is an aspiring opera singer who lives with
Finding freedom and serenity on horseback in Concerto
The hero of my new novel, Concerto, is a man in pain, struggling in the darkness, both emotional and physical, brought on by going blind.
Finding inspiration in literary tourism
On an ordinary street in Dumfries, Scotland, beside the River Nith, lies an extraordinary house. Moat Brae, which was built in 1823, is a quite
St Paul de Vence, where love and fantasy go hand in hand
In our life there is a single colour, as on an artist’s palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the colour
Guiding the blind: Taking inspiration from Jane Eyre
In my new book Concerto, music therapist Catriona comes to Lake Como to work with a new client. Umberto Monteverdi was once a famous pianist
A brief history of opera
‘Opera is complex for those who perform it, but also for those who listen to it. It takes more time, more patience and more spirit
The legendary roots of Lake Como’s mulberry trees
In England, children sing a nursery rhyme relating to the mulberry bush. The first verse is as follows: Here we go round the mulberry bush,
‘Personal and yet universal’: Music to touch the deep recesses of the soul
I listened to a lot of classical music while writing my new novel Concerto, set on Lake Como, but one modern track featured regularly in
Spectacle, grandeur, beauty: a night at the opera
By far and away my favourite occasion as a child was a visit to the Alexandria Opera House to watch a ballet performed by a visiting
Lake Como: a ‘spot blessed by heaven’
At the heart of my latest novel, Concerto, is a great composer, Umberto Monteverdi. At least, Umberto was a great composer, until he lost his
Art inspiring art: why writers are drawn to art, and artists to literature
Here is my idea of a heavenly afternoon: spending time at an art gallery. I walk about and take in the body of works. I
Clara Schumann – a heroine for the modern woman
This year marks 200 years since the birth of one the greatest women of musical history, Clara Schumann. I write about Clara in my forthcoming
Villa Carlotta on Lake Como
Last week on my blog, I introduced you to Lake Como, the main setting for my new novel, Concerto. Part of the charm of Lake
Welcome to Lake Como, bellisima setting for my new novel
My latest novel, Concerto, which will be published in August of this year, is set on Lake Como, in the Lombardy region of Italy. There,
The three Graces of Greek mythology
This marble statue is based on one sculpted by Antonio Canova for Empress Josephine between 1813 and 1816. Called The Three Graces, it depicted the
Proud to be published in beautiful Macedonia
Publishing my novels has been quite the adventure for me, and by far my favourite aspect has been connecting with readers. At first, my readers
‘My soul must follow thee!’ The enduring Greek myth of Hero and Leander
The Ancient Greeks were a passionate people, as reflected in their colourful, dramatic myths. Love is a common theme in those stories – but so
Taking inspiration from Mr Rochester – the man with a past
I read French literature at university, and am deeply inspired by the French romantic authors of the 19th century, like Stendhal, Musset, Theophile Gautier, Leconte
Losing – and finding – yourself in a labyrinth
The first hedge maze I ever navigated was at Hampton Court Palace. It was planted for William III of Orange as a means of entertainment for
‘Let reality be reality’: on preserving heritage, but embracing necessary change
In my latest novel, Aphrodite’s Tears, my heroine takes a job working on a small Greek island off whose coast a fascinating old shipwreck has
Aesop: the Ancient Greek slave whose stories guide us today
‘Pride comes before a fall,’ we say. ‘Honesty is the best policy… and look before you leap.’ Have you ever considered where these little axioms
Sacrifice and offerings: Appeasing the Ancient Greek monster Typhoeus
My novel Aphrodite’s Tears is set on a small Greek island near the Peloponnese peninsula of Greece. It is an island where tradition is deeply
Inspiration for Aphrodite’s Tears at the Afqa waterfall, Lebanon
November is an exciting month for me. My novel Indiscretion, which won a Gold Medal for Romance at the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards and Best
The sea casts its spell: sailing to the Bandits’ Lair with my hero and heroine
One of my favourite times of the year has just passed: Les Voiles de St Tropez. This sailing regatta is held in the gulf of
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
I love writing my novels, being immersed in the story world; but I also love the work that comes before I write: the research. For