Sharon Kendrick's Blog, page 5
January 31, 2014
SHE LOOSED THE CHAIN….
Today I'm over at iHeartspresents, talking about the inspiration for my latest book.
And here it is…
A copy of the painting used to hang on my bedroom wall when I was a teenager, and I used to imagine that I was The Lady Of Shalott.
It wasn't much of a life, was it?
Pacing that small room. Looking in that mirror and seeing the reflection of the man she loved, who didn't even know she existed. Giving into the irresistible temptation to feast her eyes on him properly and then listening to the sickening sound as the mirror cracked from side to side and the web flew out, like a horrible dark spectre of a curse.
I imagined the east wind straining as she made her way down to that boat, probably freezing cold in that lovely white dress and getting mud on her delicate slippers (though we're not actually sure what she was wearing on her feet). I thought about how heavy the chain must have felt as she picked it up to loosen it, before laying down on the hard wood, with her blood growing cold in her veins as she floated down the river….
And do you know what used to make me madder than anything?
The fact that Lancelot - the man she had died for - could give such a wimpish response when he saw her corpse bobbing its way into Camelot.
But Lancelot mused a little space;
He said, she has a lovely face;
God in his mercy lend her grace,
The Lady of Shalott.
I was like, IS THAT ALL?
Anyway, the book it inspired is called SHAMED IN THE SANDS, and you can read more about it here
So what inspires you?
And here it is…
A copy of the painting used to hang on my bedroom wall when I was a teenager, and I used to imagine that I was The Lady Of Shalott.
It wasn't much of a life, was it?
Pacing that small room. Looking in that mirror and seeing the reflection of the man she loved, who didn't even know she existed. Giving into the irresistible temptation to feast her eyes on him properly and then listening to the sickening sound as the mirror cracked from side to side and the web flew out, like a horrible dark spectre of a curse.
I imagined the east wind straining as she made her way down to that boat, probably freezing cold in that lovely white dress and getting mud on her delicate slippers (though we're not actually sure what she was wearing on her feet). I thought about how heavy the chain must have felt as she picked it up to loosen it, before laying down on the hard wood, with her blood growing cold in her veins as she floated down the river….
And do you know what used to make me madder than anything?
The fact that Lancelot - the man she had died for - could give such a wimpish response when he saw her corpse bobbing its way into Camelot.
But Lancelot mused a little space;
He said, she has a lovely face;
God in his mercy lend her grace,
The Lady of Shalott.
I was like, IS THAT ALL?
Anyway, the book it inspired is called SHAMED IN THE SANDS, and you can read more about it here
So what inspires you?
January 3, 2014
KITSCH, CHEATING & CUTE
Wonder if it's cheating to lie soaking in a bath brimming with detox bath salts while drinking strong coffee.?(Oh, well).The tree is naked and sitting outside the front door, waiting to be recycled. Kitsch Santa (carrying a flock of robins, while having a golden candle stuck in his back) is back in his permanent home in the loft.And I've had to pack away the unbelievably cute music box, which I bought in the Christmas Shop in Padstow and which is well worth a visit if you're down that way.So for one last time….
Hope your Christmas had bells on!
Hope your Christmas had bells on!
December 11, 2013
A SKY ON FIRE
Sometimes I get to party in the kinds of places which feature in my books.
Sunday was just such a day.
There were twelve of us singing carols around the piano. A table groaning with food.
And views from the upper terrace of the sun setting over the London skyline, which were completely breathtaking.
Like this.
A sky on fire. (If you look closely, you can see the faint outline of The Eye).
And here's the view from downstairs. Me posing with a bauble to get a suitable seasonal shot. "Beside the lake, beneath the trees" - or should that be: Beside the tree, above the river?
Sunday was just such a day.
There were twelve of us singing carols around the piano. A table groaning with food.
And views from the upper terrace of the sun setting over the London skyline, which were completely breathtaking.
Like this.
A sky on fire. (If you look closely, you can see the faint outline of The Eye).
And here's the view from downstairs. Me posing with a bauble to get a suitable seasonal shot. "Beside the lake, beneath the trees" - or should that be: Beside the tree, above the river?
December 2, 2013
POSSIBLY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY IN THE WORLD...
So which city would get your vote for the above title?
Would it be Paris? *
London?
Sydney?
All the above (and plenty of others) are possibilities. Beauty after all, lies in the eye of the beholder and if you've had the most amazing time of your life in New York - then you're always going to look adoringly on that place.
For me, it has to be Venice - mainly because it's a city which defies logic. It's a masterpiece - a triumph of beauty over practicality. It's a dream of a place. Where traffic jams make you smile…
And restaurants serve exquisite food like this:
Here's the view from the hotel terrace…
And here I am in the sumptuous lobby of the gorgeous Gritti Palace Hotel where I was staying with two of my dearest friends….
In other news - my book has changed radically. I've scrapped what I'd written (17,000 words - boo, hoo!) because it wasn't working. But then this morning I sat down to write the new version and the story just took off.
I think - hope - that we have lift-off!
How was your weekend?
*cue for Jessica Hart to plug Paris book!
Would it be Paris? *
London?
Sydney?
All the above (and plenty of others) are possibilities. Beauty after all, lies in the eye of the beholder and if you've had the most amazing time of your life in New York - then you're always going to look adoringly on that place.
For me, it has to be Venice - mainly because it's a city which defies logic. It's a masterpiece - a triumph of beauty over practicality. It's a dream of a place. Where traffic jams make you smile…
And restaurants serve exquisite food like this:
Here's the view from the hotel terrace…
And here I am in the sumptuous lobby of the gorgeous Gritti Palace Hotel where I was staying with two of my dearest friends….
In other news - my book has changed radically. I've scrapped what I'd written (17,000 words - boo, hoo!) because it wasn't working. But then this morning I sat down to write the new version and the story just took off.
I think - hope - that we have lift-off!
How was your weekend?
*cue for Jessica Hart to plug Paris book!
October 30, 2013
STILL IN MILANO….
where they eat with stylish simplicity.
This was a starter of fresh, raw artichoke - dressed with good oil, lemon juice, a little seasoning - and topped with shavings of a hard and salty cheese. That's all.
I even know the Italian word to describe it: perfetto.
This was a starter of fresh, raw artichoke - dressed with good oil, lemon juice, a little seasoning - and topped with shavings of a hard and salty cheese. That's all.
I even know the Italian word to describe it: perfetto.
October 29, 2013
IN MILANO….
they take their shoes seriously…
Here are some heels by Dolce & Gabbana - crammed into a case lined with decadent scarlet satin.
I imagined what kind of man might buy them (vampire? fetishist?) and take them on a midnight visit to his mistress...
And in case you're wondering - I'm using all this as valid *research* for the Milanese hero I am currently creating. He is going to be as spectacular as the city in which he dwells!
Here are some heels by Dolce & Gabbana - crammed into a case lined with decadent scarlet satin.
I imagined what kind of man might buy them (vampire? fetishist?) and take them on a midnight visit to his mistress...
And in case you're wondering - I'm using all this as valid *research* for the Milanese hero I am currently creating. He is going to be as spectacular as the city in which he dwells!
October 28, 2013
WHERE AM I?
I've just come back from an amazing city….
which has a spectacular Gothic cathedral (the fourth largest in the world). Here is a photo of it soaring upwards towards the skies….
Known for its delicious risotto, it is the fashion capital of the world. It's also the capital of Lombardy and will host the Universal Exposition in 2015. Have you guessed yet?
I'll tell you more about my trip when I have better internet access - at the moment the signal is dipping and dying - probably because I am in the middle of a beautiful wood, beside a lake (and beneath a tree).
which has a spectacular Gothic cathedral (the fourth largest in the world). Here is a photo of it soaring upwards towards the skies….
Known for its delicious risotto, it is the fashion capital of the world. It's also the capital of Lombardy and will host the Universal Exposition in 2015. Have you guessed yet?
I'll tell you more about my trip when I have better internet access - at the moment the signal is dipping and dying - probably because I am in the middle of a beautiful wood, beside a lake (and beneath a tree).
September 2, 2013
OPULENCE
Thought you'd like a glimpse into my home and the lavish kind of decor I love...
Ha, ha - not really. I can honestly say that I've never had a yen for an orchid tree, but it did make me start thinking about a new heroine.
You can find it in the foyer of the Savoy Hotel, London
Ha, ha - not really. I can honestly say that I've never had a yen for an orchid tree, but it did make me start thinking about a new heroine.
You can find it in the foyer of the Savoy Hotel, London
August 26, 2013
DON'T LOOK NOW
Some things are intrinsically creepy:The red-coated figure in the film DON'T LOOK NOW.The thought that an escaped snake might suddenly appear in the looThe haunting and scary lyrics of this Pink Floyd song
And this. A statue by the river at Hamm Court in Weybridge (which actually reminded me of the red-coated figure).
Don't look now...
And this. A statue by the river at Hamm Court in Weybridge (which actually reminded me of the red-coated figure).
Don't look now...
August 22, 2013
MARMALADE SKIES
Not quite a marmalade sky - more an apricot and Grendadine one. This is the sun setting over the Lago Trasimeno and it's a summer cocktail of a sky. It's also one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited.
My hero and heroine just happen to be in this very location. In fact, my Sultan hero was overlooking this very view earlier today!
Isn't writing wonderful? It takes you wherever you want to go...
And here's a reminder of the original marmalade sky...
My hero and heroine just happen to be in this very location. In fact, my Sultan hero was overlooking this very view earlier today!
Isn't writing wonderful? It takes you wherever you want to go...
And here's a reminder of the original marmalade sky...
