Underwater archaeology: the Roman galleon shipwreck that inspired my writing
The story of my latest novel, Aphrodite’s Tears, centres on the discovery of an ancient shipwreck off the coast of a little Greek island called
Category: Inspiration for my writing
Making beauty out of tragedy: the tears of Aphrodite
My new novel is entitled Aphrodite’s Tears. Most readers will know of Aphrodite – the Greek goddess of love. But why in my book title
Drawing upon a rich legacy of storytelling
Recently, Italian author Elena Ferrante wrote an opinion piece entitled ‘I don’t have much faith in those who say, “Here is a truly new book”’. ‘There
‘All happiness depends on courage and work’: inspiration from Honoré de Balzac
Those who follow me on Twitter will know that I like to collect quotations – little nuggets of wisdom and inspiration from great minds. A
A Greek gastronomic tour through my novel Aphrodite’s Tears
Cooking and dining are great passions of mine, and when I am writing a new novel, I take great pleasure in exploring the cuisine of
The lyre: playing the music of Ancient Greece
If I could create a ‘booktrack’ for my new novel Aphrodite’s Tears (a musical soundtrack to which you listen while reading), it would feature prominently
A brief overview of Ancient Greek architecture
My interest in ancient civilisations began with the stories I was told by my parents and governess in childhood – but it was cemented by glimpses
‘Hope costs nothing’: The life and legacy of French novelist Colette
I was thrilled to read of a new movie being released in September based upon the life of Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. Here is the trailer for
Favourite settings from my fiction
‘We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other souls.’ So wrote novelist Anais Nin. What a perfect explanation for the
Heaven under my feet
Heaven. That is my writing spot today. I have been writing my blog for almost seven years now. Seven years! In that time I have
The ponderous travellers: Les éléphants
This week, I smiled when I heard on the news that the zoo in Dublin, Ireland, has found a novel way to cool its elephants:
Inspired by Helios, the Greek sun god
This sandy-hued island of eternal azure skies, ever-changing blue sea, beaming sunshine and ancient stone temples… Welcome to Helios, the setting for my novel Aphrodite’s
Summer, beautiful summer – as depicted in my novels
‘Summer afternoon – summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.’ So wrote English novelist Henry
Hero or villain? A matter of perspective – and choice
In my novel Aphrodite’s Tears, the heroine, Oriel, comes to work on the Greek island of Helios. Her new boss is Damianos (Damian) Lekkas, the
‘To travel is to live’ (and, for me, to write)
‘How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.’ So wrote Henry David Thoreau. When I was
An ancient treasure trail… to the lost city of Helice?
‘Tell me,’ says Damian, the hero of my latest book Aphrodite’s Tears, ‘how did you become so keen on archaeology?’ ‘My father used to tell
Prometheus: the Titan who endured
I have always been interested in mythology. The Greek myths, which inspired my new book Aphrodite’s Tears, were written thousands of years ago by wise
The Ancient Greek myths of Delos
A maze of dry, meandering paths led them across the island. On either side crumbling stone temples, toppled columns and the remains of statues told
Taking inspiration from the Labyrinth of Greek mythology
‘Tell me about this house. It seems enormous, a real labyrinth…’ So says Oriel, the heroine of my new novel Aphrodite’s Tears, with regard to
A heroine with the passion (and fate?) of Antigone
For my latest novel, Aphrodite’s Tears, I took inspiration from the classic stories of Greek mythology. I grew up with these stories, told to me
The enduring wisdom of Jane Eyre
Recently, the editors at Bookish.com published an article compiling favourite romance novel heroines as chosen by romance authors (http://www.bookish.com/articles/favorite-romance-heroines/). The heroines in the list were
Falling in love: A choice to fly perilously close to the sun?
In my new novel, Aphrodite’s Tears, the heroine Oriel is struggling to maintain a professional distance from her new employer, Damian, with whom, years ago,
A heroine cursed by ‘Mati’ – the evil eye
In my new novel, Aphrodite’s Tears, the heroine Oriel has come to stay on the small Greek island of Helios in order to carry out
A passion for archaeology: ‘to walk where ancient feet have trod’
In my new novel, Aphrodite’s Tears, set in the 1970s, the heroine Oriel is an archaeologist who has been hired to work on a subsea
Don’t look back! A lesson from Orpheus and Eurydice of Greek mythology
I find inspiration for my writing from all kinds of sources. For Burning Embers, I was inspired by the poetry of French poet Leconte de
Meet the fathers of philosophy: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle
Did you know that to this day, much of the Western way of thinking is derived from the philosophical explorations of three men of Ancient
Psyche and Cupid: the ancient story with a happy-ever-after
Researching my latest novel, Aphrodite’s Tears, was an absolute pleasure, for it involved reading up on ancient mythology. I was especially interested, as the novel’s
Made in their image: Taking lessons from the Greek gods
My new novel, Aphrodite’s Tears, set on the Greek island of Helios, takes inspiration from the colourful, dramatic myths of the Ancient Greeks. The hero
Firewalking: The ultimate test of strength and courage
Did you know that the practice of firewalking – walking barefoot over a bed of hot coals – dates back many thousands of years? Cultures
Travelling to find a place called home
In the 16th century, French poet Joachim du Bellay travelled to Italy. He was most keen to live in this country, the birthplace of the Renaissance