Tag: writing
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The Alchemist of Paris Book Map
Here is a map of the key places in The Alchemist of Paris. Creating a book map has been on my to-do list for ages and I’m excited at how it turned out! This map posed the challenge of portraying a city in an earlier time period, and also a city which many people know…
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Flashback – A never published scene from The Alchemist of Paris
When I was sorting through my papers, I found this scene from an early draft of The Alchemist of Paris. Young housemaid Elise and her mysterious master are walking through the pre-dawn streets of 19th century Paris. Although there are familiar points, this scene has an alternative plot line. Can you spot three changes from…
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Sequels, Prequels and Interquels
Be careful, the note said, for I had found a phantom. Albert Price had been known across Europe for the past fifty years, although if he were real or a legend, no one knew. – The Alchemist of Rome When your main character has lived for centuries, are your books sequels, prequels or interquels? The…
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Quiet Rome – 5 Special Places in the Eternal City
Rome has been a destination for visitors for centuries, but in the midst of all the glamour and bustle, it is possible to find quiet spots where the mind can wander. Palazzo Spada While many tourists visit the colourful Campo del Fiori fresh food markets, just around the corner is the Palazzo Spada. Stepping into…
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Map Monday – Ancient Egypt
“In Egypt, I met a man who called himself Albert Price. And that man has intrigued me ever since.” – Jean-Louis Champillon reflects on past journeys in ‘The Alchemist of Paris’ The book in the picture above was published in 1888. It was found in a book sale in a barn many years…
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The Surprising Difficulties of Photographing #Booksandmacarons
#Bookstagramming on Instagram combines three of my favourite things – taking pictures, microblogging and discovering new books. With hashtags such as #booksandnature, #booksanddogs #booksandcafes #booksinthewild etc etc, it all looks so chic and simple. However all those artful pictures are not as easy as they look, as I discovered when I decided to photograph ‘The…
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Leaving home
At twilight I slipped out of the convent and into the herb garden. Unlocking the gate, I strolled under the old stone arch to the fields beyond. The sky was blue violet, and a golden moon was rising over the hills. The air was sweet with the scent of the rustling grasses. Wildflowers, some blooming…
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Plotting my Way across the City (from a Writer’s Perspective)
One of the most evocative books I have ever read is “The Vampire Lestat”. Anne Rice made me want to run down the Paris boulevards with Lestat and Nicholas, sit in the smoky theatres and opera houses, and descend into the catacombs with Armand. Frankly, it even made me want to be a vampire, had…
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Cover Reveal – The Alchemist of Paris
I am very excited to reveal the cover design of ‘The Alchemist of Paris’, created by the wonderful Adriana Hanganu of adipixdesign.com. ‘The Alchemist of Paris’ is a gothic mystery set in modern day and 1820s Paris. A young woman searches for a forgotten mansion in the heart of modern Paris. The only clue to…
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Flash Fiction – Social Media Anxiety
A sweet tale for this Valentine Day’s Month. * * * * * Tim wants to be your friend. Natasha sat before her computer. Sunlight peeked through the morning clouds outside her window. She sipped her coffee and stared at the screen. Tim was the cute boy she had met at the…