Chris Penhall's Blog, page 12
December 1, 2019
Carol Thomas – Author Snapchat
I am inspired by places that I’ve been to and memories I bring back with me when I write, so I’ve asked some of my fellow Choc-Lit and Ruby Fiction Authors to tell us about their memorable places. This time it is Carol Thomas, author of Maybe Baby and The Purrfect Pet Sitter.
Thank you so much for inviting me to take part in your author Snapchat and to share three of my favourite and most inspirational places.
I have to start with Samoëns in France. It is incredibly picturesque with beautiful chalets set amongst dramatic mountain ranges. Whether visiting in summer or winter, the scenery is always changing. And I love the reverberating sound of the cowbells. We often holiday in the area as a family, and it is the setting for some of my favourite scenes in my Lisa Blake series of books.
Sticking close to Samoëns, my next destination is Sixt Fer À Cheval. The mountains are formed in a horseshoe shape, creating breathtaking views. It is beautiful in summer and winter, as is the Cascade du Rouget. In the summer, my family and I stood in front of this stunning waterfall, unable to hear ourselves over the rushing meltwater, getting soaked by the spray.
In winter, my husband and I hiked up to it. We stood at the foot of the waterfall; the only sound the occasional crack and pop from the curtain of ice. Stunning!
Finally, I am coming much closer to home. The historic town of Arundel is just ten minutes from where I live. I used to have an office there with a view over a row of higgledy-piggledy rooftops, looking towards the medieval castle. It was a beautifully peaceful place to write, and I liked imagining stories playing out in the houses. There was also a cheeky cat who often liked to watch me write.
Published by Ruby Fiction, Carol writes heartwarming romantic comedies filled with friendship and love.
The Purrfect Pet Sitter: http://getbook.at/TPPSAmazon
Maybe Baby: http://getbook.at/MBAmazon
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November 20, 2019
Vicky Carter and her travels
My novel, The House That Alice Built is set in Cascais in Portugal. Just being there set’s Alice’s mind free, allowing her to experience another way of life and see thing from a different perspective. Some of us have travel in our blood and my friend and BBC Essex colleague Vicky Carter is one of those people – so I asked her to write a few words to explain how it makes her feel. You can find out about her adventures on her website www.vickyecarter.com
Ever since growing up in the Middle East as a child, I have always been fascinated by other cultures and intrigued by other countries. The sounds of the chaotic traditional souks, the smell of fresh Arabic coffee and the warm air that tickles my skin, instantly transports me back to a place which I will always call home. Enthused about the way others live their lives, the history that soaks a place and the diverse stunning scenes of cities or nature, has always set my soul on fire. Travel will always be my first love. I’ve spent most of my life working long hours in jobs I haven’t enjoyed to raise funds for my next adventure, or even writing, recording audio, filming travels or interviewing fellow travellers about their next journey. Travel is everything for me; it resets my energy, it restores my faith in humanity, it provides reflection on my life, it allows me to gain a wider perspective in what really matters in life, it cures heartbreaks, builds friendships and develops me as a better person through my understanding of other people’s lives. I’ve slept in everything from train stations to 6 star hotels, I’ve eaten unusual street food in Dehli to dining in Michelin starred restaurants in Los Angeles, and I still treat everyone I meet with the same respect and attention they deserve. The most important lesson I have learnt is that we are enter this world and leave it the same way, so be open to the world and the people in it.
If you want to hear some of my interviews with inspirational travellers and adventurers conquering mountains or simply living their best life on my motivational podcast “Let’s Go Kickass Today”, head on over to my website, where you can also read about my own personal journeys visiting over fifty countries and my aim to conquer my bucket list.
About Vicky Carter
Vicky Carter produces the Early Breakfast Show for BBC Essex and is a reporter for the station’s Mid-Morning programme as well as producing, presenting and editing her own podcast, Let’s Go Kickass Today. She has also broadcast for radio stations including BBC Essex, BBC Solent, Talk Sport, Women’s Radio and presents from events for Winkball.
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November 8, 2019
Author Snapchat – Jackie Ladbury
My novel, The House That Alice Built is set in Cascais in Portugal, and it is one of the stars of the book. Images of it and other places I visit pop into my head and I often use them in my writing – it’s like I’ve filed them away for future use and they reappear when wanted. I thought I’d ask my fellow Choc-Lit and Ruby Fiction authors about their special places and how they inspire them. I call it Author Snapchat.
Today Jackie Ladbury, who’s novel Happy Christmas Eve was published last month, shares her favourite places.
One of my favourite places has to be St Ives in Cornwall. I was a convert way before everyone else – or at least I like to think so. It has changed so much since those early years when we would go in the winter time and walk along the blustery sea front with our daughters, eating fish and chips with one eye on the swooping seagulls. Now it’s full of trendy, expensive restaurants and is heaving with people no matter what time of year we go. The chapel of St Nicholas overlooking the sea was where I set my very first- and as yet unpublished – novel. It was inspired by my sister-in-law saying she wanted to get married there. Alas, it didn’t happen for my lovely sister-in-law, but maybe one day I’ll finish that novel and make it into her happy ever after story.
S
outhwold in Suffolk is another place of my heart. Myself and my family had a tradition that we would go up there every New Year’s Day. Ironically it was always either a crisp, clear day in Hertford and by the time we arrived in Southwold it would be tipping it down, or we would arrive with a boot full of wellingtons, waterproofs and woolly hats to find the sun shining and a gentle breeze ruffling our hair. The fabulous pier in Southwold was the setting for my first published book, Air Guitar and Caviar, and I confess I still have a soft spot of Dylan my gorgeous busker who declared his love for frosty air-stewardess Scarlett on the end of the pier.
We visited Ortona in Eastern Italy a couple of years ago and I have to say, in fear of getting shouted down, that it was more enjoyable than Sorrento where we went on holiday this year. The weather was temperate, the food delicious and good value, and you could actually see the sights instead of mostly seeing people who were trying to see the sights. The people of Ortona were very patriotic and I think, because England wasn’t invaded in the second world war, we quickly forget the hardships that our allies went through. There was an actual battle between the Germans and Canadians in Ortona and there are still bullet holes in many of the buildings; clearly the war left a huge scar on the people there. Lovely people – would definitely visit again – would like to progress past Duolingo, part one in my Italian first!
About Jackie Ladbury
Jackie Ladbury writes heart-warming contemporary and historical women’s fiction that is always guaranteed a happy ever after. From spending many years as an air-stewardess and seeing that it really is love that makes the world go around, she determined to put the same sparkle and emotion into her stories. Her life is no longer as exotic (or chaotic) as it was in those heady days of flying as she now lives a quiet life in Hertfordshire with her family and two cats, spending her days making up stories and finding excuses not to go to the gym.
To find out more about Jackie Ladbury, check out these pages:
https://www.facebook.com/jackie.ladbury
https://jackieladbury.com
Tweets by JackieLadbury
https://thewriteromantics.com/
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October 21, 2019
Tony Fisher – Broadcaster and Writer
It took me 8 years from starting to write The House That Alice Built to getting it published. The support of people who encouraged me to carry on was very important, and my friend and colleague, BBC Essex presenter, Tony Fisher was one of those . He read my first draft and gave me feedback on every chapter! He also interviews authors all the time on his radio show and reads books constantly. And now he’s working on his novel, too (as well as just being awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Essex for his services to broadcasting and is now a chair on the 2020 Essex Book Festival). Over to you, Tony!
For as long as can remember I always wanted to be a writer. I was demolishing books from an early age switching from Paddington to P.G. Woodhouse as young as eight, but I always believed that to be an author you had to find some magical fairy dust to sprinkle on the keyboard or be born with an extra compartment lodged in the cerebral cortex to complete a novel, let alone get published.
My first love was radio and as soon as I left school I got a job on my local commercial station which led to many presentation and production roles all over the country.
Now 33 years later I still sit in a padded room everyday talking to the region on BBC Essex but I’ve recently been published for the very first time in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. My short story ‘Tingo’ appeared in the July/Aug edition.
During my time interviewing authors I began to notice they were all human, no sign of fairy dust or a slanting head from the weight of an extra brain. As talented and creative as they all are, they have one thing in common. They write all the time, they are disciplined and most importantly they finish.
I took their advice and have started writing every day, getting up two hours before the kids so I can do my word count or work on the next draft and still take them to school and then do the day job.
I’m on the second draft of my third completed novel and I hope this will be the first one I feel ready to send to publishers, editors and agents.
Most importantly I love the process, whatever happens in the future I know two things, I can finish and it’s fun.
About Tony Fisher
Tony Fisher started working in radio as soon as he left school in 1984, after spending his formative years doing pretend broadcasts from his bedroom.
Thirty five years later and a realm of broadcasting jobs as presenter, producer and management roles right across the UK, his current home is weekdays afternoon between 12 and 4 on BBC Essex where he presents and produces an arts and entertainment based show.
In his time behind the mic he’s interviewed hundreds of writers and it was that contact and a voracious appetite for books: somewhere close to twelve a month, that his desire to put pen to paper grew.
He’s written dozens of short stories, one recently published in the prestigious Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and is now in the third draft of a new novel.
He recently was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex for services to broadcasting and is a chair on the 2020 Essex Book festival as well as hosting the Pride of Essex Awards every year at Anglia Ruskin University.
With two young children and a four hour radio show to produce his writing time is when everyone else is in bed.
When he’s not talking in a padded room, he’s writing in one.
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October 7, 2019
Author Snapchat – Jo Lambert
Where are the places that inspire you?
My novel, The House That Alice Built is set in Cascais in Portugal, and thee sights and sounds of the place have imprinted themselves on my mind ever since I lived there and are a big part of the book. And as I’ve begun to write more, I’ve realised that I’ve collected memories of other places that sometimes unexpectedly pop into my consciousness – a shaft of light on the sands of Caswell Bay, for example, or the glittering lights of Hong Kong’s skyscrapers from the top of Victoria Peak, and I may use them to inspire the depiction of another scene somewhere else.
So, I thought I’d ask my fellow authors if they have similar dusty, or not so dusty photographic files, an old fashioned snapchat if you will, that leaps at you at a random and unexpected cue and then recedes again.
This month’s snapchat comes from Jo Lambert:
Jo Lambert is a writer of drama driven romance. She is the author of eight previously published novels all set in the West Country. In June 2018 she signed to Choc Lit and her debut for Ruby Fiction was published in June this year. A Cornish Affair is a modern day saga set on the North Cornish coast. With romance at its heart it’s also a story of family secrets and betrayal.
September 30, 2019
The Left Handed Art Exhibition – Bridget Metcalfe
In my novel, The House That Alice Built, Alice has had to put her creative talents to one side in order to earn money to pay for the renovations and mortgage on her beloved house. When she goes to Portugal, she gradually begins to find that part of her that’s been lost over the years, and rediscovers her creative side.
For some people, though, its always there, and its not a question of rediscovering it, but finding a way to overcome obstacles in order to continue doing it, albeit differently.
Bridget Metcalfe is a professional singer/songwriter, singing teacher, event host and artist. She has released soul singles On The Beach and Things Are Over Now and the jazz album In Your Eyes. She also produced and presented a BBC regional arts and entertainment radio show from 2008-2015. Bridget is a talented artist and has established several arts and crafts groups, as well as producing her own jewellery, and is currently setting up an online art gallery.
The Left-Handed Art Exhibition by Bridget Metcalfe
In 2016 my father was suffering from lung cancer. I went back home for a while because my mother and sister knew the inevitable was coming and we all wanted to be with him when he passed away.
One day, I climbed onto the tall kitchen stool looking for black pepper and fell, hitting the floor hard. I badly fractured my right-wrist. A colourful mistake in the hospital’s plaster room meant I was at Dad’s funeral with a bright, neon-yellow cast.
Back in my own home, I had to fill time while my arm healed. I found an old tin of watercolour paints, good paper and brushes.
I’m right-handed so I began painting with my left.
I had a new apartment in Chelmsford but couldn’t leave home without a walking stick and the nightmare yellow cast, so I started to paint what I saw from my tall windows. Still under construction, the multi-storey buildings, the cranes, scaffolding and the developing urban site became my inspiration.
Everything I painted became a riot of colour and not what you’d perhaps imagine on a building site.
The Transition art gallery was opening on the site too. I popped in to say hi to the owner, Andy Pinkney. Now with 27 paintings, Andy came to see my all work finished, framed and presented in my spare room with an easel, music and coat stands, a lamp and whatever else to hand.
“When do we open”? I asked boldly. “Three weeks’ time” he replied. And we did.
So, here I was with a new career as an artist. Two paintings at the Koppel Gallery in Holborn, London followed and I’m currently setting up an online art gallery, AmberArtists.com.
The most amazing thing is that 50 years ago, realising I had artistic abilities, my father took me to an art shop and bought me some good quality watercolours. It’s those I used to paint the Left-Handed exhibition.
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September 22, 2019
Podcasting from around the world
My novel, The House That Alice Built, is set in Portugal. Alice evolves and changes partly by being somewhere else and experiencing the world from a different perspective.
My intrepid friends Amy Rose Thompson and Nick Thompson are adventurous travellers and have visited many, many countries already. They are continuing to do so on their open-ended round the world tour which they started in 2018. You can enjoy their experiences via their travel podcast, What The Pho.
Amy and Nick stopped off in Portugal last December, and this is why they love it.
Our fondness or Portugal is linked to our fondness of South America, particularly Brazil. We’ve been to South America twice and we love the blend of native, African & European cultures. It’s not the easiest place to live but even through hard times the people know how to enjoy life. For us, Portugal is a little slice of South America close to home. Once you throw in the nice weather, beautiful architecture and food, it’s heaven on Earth. Some of our favourite Portuguese snacks include cod fish cakes (bacalhau) Iberian ham & cheese plus the famous egg custard tarts; Pastel de Nata.
About us:
On our travel podcast we explore, challenge and learn about different destinations around the world to give you travellers some fun facts and travel hacks so you can travel around trouble free and full of knowledge! It’s a radio-style travel podcast with features such as Gameshow Facts & Language Lessons with Amy. We explore one country or culture every month plus a travel topic like how to avoid scams. All that, plus we tackle important world issues such as the conflict in Syria or the economic crisis in Venezuela by talking to local people & experts. We are now also making videos of our travels for our YouTube channel.
What The Pho Travel Podcast
Web: https://www.whatthephotravelpodcast.com/
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whatthepho
Twitter: https://twitter.com/phopodcast
Instagram: https://www.nonegram.com/profile/what_the_pho_podcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phopodcast/
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September 8, 2019
Author Snapchat
Do you switch on the pictures in your mind?
My novel, The House That Alice Built is set in Cascais in Portugal, where I lived many years ago. The sights and sounds of the place have imprinted themselves on my mind ever since then and are a big part of the book. And as I’ve begun to write more, I’ve realised that I’ve collected memories of other places that sometimes unexpectedly pop into my consciousness. They must be stored somewhere, so when someone says – Venice…my mind involuntarily rifles through one of its many dusty filing cabinets and goes…’do you remember seeing Venice rising mysteriously and magically from the mists after that thunder storm when you were on a bus travelling across the causeway from the campsite in Mestre when you were 20?’ Or someone says Primrose Hill, and in file number 17245761b out pops me walking around a corner onto Regents Park Road and thinking I was in a scene from one of the Paddington films or in number 20000000000001a I’m driving over the brow of a hill in Pembrokeshire and literally feeling my heart leap at the site of Newgale below.
I’m not writing about all of those places, but I think that seeing Venice rising from the mist may appear somewhere in my writing, but it won’t be Venice rising from the mist, it’ll be somewhere else!
So, I thought I’d ask my fellow authors if they have similar dusty, or not so dusty photographic files, an old fashioned snapchat if you will, that leaps at you at a random and unexpected cue and then recedes again. But it may well be there somewhere when you are gazing out of a window and looking for mental inspiration.
So My first guest is Lucy Keeling!
Thank you Chris for asking me to take part in Snapchat for Authors. I have a terrible memory but I take LOTS of pictures. Luckily, once I see a picture even if only briefly it triggers all of the feelings and memories associated with that place. So below I have shared with you some of my memories and feelings of three special places.
Ok clear your mind, think of an idyllic scene. What comes to mind? I’m incredibly lucky in that I live five minutes away from some of the most beautiful canal walks in England. Whenever I venture that way, especially on either a gloriously sunny day, or a windy autumnal day, I am always replenished and reset by the beauty around me. My little picture does it no justice. But along the canal there is reflection, there is history and there is industry.
So now you’ve got me thinking about an industrious city, somewhere powerful decisions (good or bad) can be made. This will undoubtedly pop into my head. We have friends that live in Washington DC and we were really lucky to go and stay with them for a little while. I will avoid all talk of politics but I will simply state that this was a place filled with power.
But if you want to me to think about power in a different way, perhaps in a more mythological way, then I will be instantly transported to Iceland. Specifically to the site of the first parliament. It’s very easy to stand amongst the rugged rocks, and lush moss of Þingvellir (Assembly Fields) and feel like you have been transported back thousands of years. Yet here there is a sense of development, of change, of growth. The tectonic plates continue to move apart, and in its place there is new earth, uncharted territory and endless possibility.
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The House That Alice Built is set in Cascais in Portugal,...
The House That Alice Built is set in Cascais in Portugal, where I lived many years ago. The sights and sounds of the place have imprinted themselves on my mind ever since then and are a big part of the book. And as I’ve begun to write more, I’ve realised that I’ve collected memories of other places that sometimes unexpectedly pop into my consciousness. They must be stored somewhere, so when someone says – Venice…my mind involuntarily rifles through one of its many dusty filing cabinets and goes…’do you remember seeing Venice rising mysteriously and magically from the mists after that thunder storm when you were on a bus travelling across the causeway from the campsite in Mestre when you were 20?’ Or someone says Primrose Hill, and in file number 17245761b out pops me walking around a corner onto Regents Park Road and thinking I was in a scene from the Paddington films, or in number 20000000000001a , I’m driving over the brow of a hill in Pembrokeshire and literally feeling my heart leap at the site of Newgale below.
I’m not writing about all of those places, but I think that seeing Venice rising from the mist may appear somewhere in my writing, but it won’t be Venice rising from the mist, it’ll be somewhere else!
So, I thought I’d ask my fellow authors if they have similar dusty, or not so dusty photographic files, an old fashioned snapchat if you will, that leaps at you at a random and unexpected cue and then recedes again. But it may well be there somewhere when you are gazing out of a window and looking for mental inspiration. Or just to feel nice.
Here’s author, Lucy Keeling, to tell us about her inspirational landscapes. Lucy was the runner up in Choc-Lit’s Search for a Star competition 2019. Her debut novel, Make It Up To You, a romantic comedy about an unlikely romance between a make-up vlogger and a rough and ready gardener, is published by Choc-Lit on 17th September. You can get it here http://tiny.cc/s34jbz
Thank you Chris for asking me to take part in Snapchat for Authors. I have a terrible memory but I take LOTS of pictures. Luckily, once I see a picture even if only briefly it triggers all of the feelings and memories associated with that place. So below I have shared with you some of my memories and
So now you’ve got me thinking about an industrious city, somewhere powerful decisions (good or bad) can be made. This will undoubtedly pop into my head. We have friends that live in Washington DC and we were really lucky to go and stay with them for a little while. I will avoid all talk of politics but I will simply state that this was a place filled with power.
So now you’ve got me thinking about an industrious city, somewhere powerful decisions (good or bad) can be made. This will undoubtedly pop into my head. We have friends that live in Washington DC and we were really lucky to go and stay with them for a little while. I will avoid all talk of politics but I will simply state that this was a place filled with power.
But if you want to me to think about power in a different way, perhaps in a more mythological way, then I will be instantly transported to Iceland. Specifically to the site of the first parliament. It’s very easy to stand amongst the rugged rocks, and lush moss of Þingvellir (Assembly Fields) and feel like you have been transported back thousands of years. Yet here there is a sense of development, of change, of growth. The tectonic plates continue to move apart, and in its place there is new earth, uncharted territory and endless possibility.
The post appeared first on Chris Penhall.
August 1, 2019
Alex Grundon on Portugal… even the chatter has a melody
My debut novel, The House That Alice Built, is set in Portugal – a place that has enchanted, captivated and enriched my life for many years. I have friends who feel the same, so I decided to ask them how they feel about the place. Over to you, Alex..
Alex Grundon is a Senior Producer and radio presenter at the BBC in London. He’s worked on a huge variety of stories around the globe – both serious and light-hearted – and in 2018 his work took him to Portugal as he was the radio producer for coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon. He’s been a regular visitor to the Algarve for twenty years and last year bought a place of his own in the seaside town of Lagos.
How long have you been visiting Portugal for?
I first came to the Algarve in the late 90s. It was a very different place to the one we know now. I’m sure a steam train pulled trains from Faro to Lagos. Since then, I’ve noticed the vibrancy and popularity grow. The trains run on diesel now too! Buying a place in the sun has been without doubt the best thing I have ever done. I have no regrets at all.
What does Portugal mean to you?
Portugal is my second home. I feel totally comfortable when I’m here. I LOVE the place. I have a circle of amazing friends there, the climate is wonderful, the beaches and towns are amazing, the food and drink is gorgeous and the welcome from Portuguese people never ceases to delight me. It’s a piece of affordable paradise.
How do you feel when you are there?
I relax. And I smile more than usual. And anything on my mind tends to feel a long way away. How could you not be delighted to have the sun shining, the sea a stunning cobalt blue, with just seagulls and the sound of the waves to provide a soundtrack. Close your eyes in any restaurant and even the chatter has a melody. Perhaps the most overwhelming feeling is one of luck – that I have my place in the sun, my place of happiness, my place of calm, that I can share with my family and friends. There’s no such thing as a perfect life, just perfect moments – and most of them happen for me in Portugal.
What are your favourite places?
I love a beach. And the Algarve is blessed with hundreds. Porto blew my mind with its beauty – quaffing Porto Branco com Tonica (white port and tonic – so much better than a G&T!) in Vila Nova de Gaia as the sun sets over Porto is a wonderful memory. Eurovision enhanced the vibrant colours of Lisbon beautifully…and the 28 tram is a thrilling journey through the capital city. I could bang on for hours about my favourite places in Portugal. Just come and experience it for yourself and find those beautiful memories of your own!
Tell us about the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon
Eurovision was fabulous fun. It was my fifteenth Eurovision Song Contest to work on, in my favourite country, and Lisbon embraced its arrival. Fun, positivity, warm, sunshine. The river Tagus looked stunning. The party never stopped. Salvador Sobral’s gentle lullaby which won the contest previous year somehow enhanced the vibe.
You even broadcast from your favourite beach, didn’t you…?
I did. After Eurovision in Lisbon I headed to Lagos for a little R and R. I was asked to broadcast how the contest went – and the only place that felt fitting to report from was my favourite beach – Porto de Mos – with my feet in the sea. Perhaps the best office I will ever work from and the sound of people having fun on the beach made a great audio backdrop.
The House That Alice Built, available in e-book and audio now, and in paperback in 2020.
https://www.rubyfiction.com/dd-produc...
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