Tag Archives: Writing

Parisot Literary Festival 2014: how did it go?

Posted on 13/10/2014 by

  This poor old blog has been a bit neglected of late, but that’s because so much has been going on that it’s been hard to get to it. One of the local events that has taken up some of … Continue reading →

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Parisot Literary Festival October 2014

Posted on 25/09/2014 by

A heads-up about the second Parisot Literary Festival/Festival Littéraire de Parisot, which will take place this year from 10th to 12th October. Parisot is only a small place with about 500 inhabitants but there’s a lot going on. This event … Continue reading →

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New Literary Magazine from Ex-pat Writing Group Writers Abroad

Posted on 15/09/2014 by

The online writing community for ex-pats that I belong to, Writers Abroad, published the first issue of its new literary magazine on 1st September. It’s packed full of interesting stuff and it’s absolutely free.

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Another excerpt from ‘The House at Zaronza’

Posted on 13/07/2014 by

With a little over two weeks to go before publication, here is another short extract from my novel The House at Zaronza. The story is set in early 20th-century Corsica and at the Western Front during World War I.

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An excerpt from my forthcoming novel, ‘The House at Zaronza’

Posted on 26/06/2014 by

I’m getting very excited about the publication of my historical novel with Crooked Cat Publishing, which is only just over a month away. I’m also delighted with the cover, above. Between now and 29th July, I’ll publish a few short extracts, starting … Continue reading →

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Meet My Main Character from My Novel ‘The House at Zaronza’

Posted on 19/05/2014 by

Today, I’m taking part in a blog hop for historical novelists, entitled ‘Meet My Main Character’. I was tagged by fellow writer and Writers Abroad colleague Dianne Ascroft who wrote about her main character last week.

Posted in Books/writing, Corsica | Tagged , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

My novel, The House at Zaronza, to be published by Crooked Cat Publishing

Posted on 18/03/2014 by

I’m thrilled to announce that my novel, The House at Zaronza, will be published by independent publishers Crooked Cat Publishing, probably this summer. The novel is based partly on a true story, which we discovered on holiday in Corsica in … Continue reading →

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The Next Big Thing – Writers Abroad’s Latest Anthology

Posted on 16/10/2013 by

Every year since 2010, the online writing group for expat writers to which I belong – Writers Abroad – has published an anthology. Since we are spread across the globe and all the work is carried out online, this is … Continue reading →

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Behind the Scenes at the Parisot Literary Festival

Posted on 09/10/2013 by

First, a reminder to anyone who lives in the area or is visiting that our first Literary Festival will take place in Parisot this weekend (11th-13th October) with a line-up of both French and British authors. See the programme on … Continue reading →

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Ex-Pat Writers – Contribute to a New Anthology

Posted on 01/05/2013 by

Originally posted on Vanessa Couchman:
The online ex-pat writers’ group, Writers Abroad, of which I’m a member, will be publishing its fourth anthology this year, with the working title of Far Flung and Foreign. We are looking for other ex-pat…

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A Great Way to Celebrate Three Years

Posted on 14/02/2013 by

My blog is three years old today. It has survived the terrible twos and is now learning joined-up writing. And it has readers as far apart as Nova Scotia and Qatar. It will not have escaped your notice that today … Continue reading →

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The Next Big Thing – ‘The House at Zaronza’

Posted on 04/01/2013 by

Since I wrote this (in 2013), The House at Zaronza has been published by Crooked Cat Publishing, in July 2014. Find out more about it on my writing site. The House at Zaronza is temporarily unavailable pending a new edition … Continue reading →

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Foreign Encounters Book Launch

Posted on 19/11/2012 by

I’m a bit late reporting on this event, which took place about 10 days ago. Blame this wretched novel I’m working on for National Novel Writing Month. I have almost reached the requisite 50,000 words but mine is going to … Continue reading →

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French Provincial Cooking

Posted on 13/11/2012 by

When pondering what to serve dinner guests this coming Saturday I reached for my disintegrating copy of Elizabeth David’s French Provincial Cooking. Not because I expected to copy a user-friendly recipe but because it is chock-full of ideas. First published … Continue reading →

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Monthly Météo: Weather in SW France October 2012

Posted on 09/11/2012 by

The SF has been beside himself because I am so late posting the weather post this month. My excuse is that I am writing a novel for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo to the initiated), in which you take part in … Continue reading →

Posted in French life, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Foreign Encounters, a New Anthology from Writers Abroad

Posted on 24/10/2012 by

Writers Abroad, the online writing group for ex-pat writers I belong to, is publishing a new anthology today, entitled Foreign Encounters. It contains short stories, non-fiction and poems by writers who are, or have been, ex-pats. They live in, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Books/writing, World War I & II | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

A Romantic, and True, Corsican Tale

Posted on 07/10/2012 by

Wherever I go, I find out so much more if I speak to the locals. This was certainly so during our recent – fourth – visit to Corsica, where we always find new things to see. We would not have … Continue reading →

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Awards, Awards!

Posted on 31/01/2012 by

In the past couple of days two people have very kindly given my blog an award (now three – see below). This has really brightened up the end of January for me, which in my opinion is the most dismal … Continue reading →

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Foreign Flavours: A New Anthology from Writers Abroad

Posted on 24/10/2011 by

The online writing group I belong to, Writers Abroad, publishes today a new anthology of short stories and non-fiction articles, entitled Foreign Flavours. The theme of the anthology is food, drink and recipes from around the world.

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Tripbase Seven-links Blogging Challenge + a Plug for a Colleague’s Book

Posted on 10/10/2011 by

Blogging pal Stephanie in Creuse has kindly nominated me – among others – to carry on the torch for the seven-links blogging challenge. This is where you have to nominate seven of your own blog posts that fit particular criteria. … Continue reading →

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A Change of Name

Posted on 22/09/2011 by

I’ve decided to change the name of my blog as of now. Formerly it was ‘A writer’s lot in France’. Henceforth it will be called ‘Life on La Lune’.  Why change? Several reasons – please read on.

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Igniting my Kindle

Posted on 09/09/2011 by

Since I wrote this, Amazon have launched the Kindle in France as of 14th October 2011. Today is my birthday – not an important one; no royal telegrams just yet. But I’m now the proud owner of a Kindle – … Continue reading →

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French colloquial phrases you never learnt at school

Posted on 21/01/2011 by

See also my post More Colloquial French Phrases. For my other posts about the French language, please click on ‘Language’ under Topics in the right-hand sidebar. French, like all languages, has its colloquial phrases. The pure French that we learnt … Continue reading →

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French country novels

Posted on 29/11/2010 by

French country novels celebrate rural life, which changed out of all recognition during the 20th century. Continue reading →

Posted in Auvergne, Aveyron, Books/writing, Customs, French life, History, World War I & II | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Writers Abroad short story anthology now available

Posted on 20/11/2010 by

The Writers Abroad anthology of short stories themed on expat life is now available, says A writer’s lot in France. Read on for further details… Continue reading →

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A reminder about the Writers Abroad anthology

Posted on 22/09/2010 by

Just a reminder that you have about three weeks to submit a fictional short story to Writers Abroad for publication in an anthology of the same name, to be published in support of UK National Short Story Week (NSSW). You … Continue reading →

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Life in Southwest France

Posted on 17/08/2010 by

Welcome to La Lune, French for the moon. This is the name of the lieu-dit (locality) in southwest France where our 18th-century farmhouse is situated. We have lived here since 1997. The name almost certainly has nothing to do with the moon, but … Continue reading →

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The seven ages of blogging (about France)

Posted on 14/08/2010 by

  My blog is 6 months old today. I am not a great cake lover, but I am a champagne girl, hence the picture. I’m sure you’ll join me in raising a glass or two. I have not yet received … Continue reading →

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Maigret (actor Bruno Cremer) is dead

Posted on 09/08/2010 by

Bruno Cremer, the interpreter par excellence of Simenon’s Maigret on French TV, died today, reports A Writer’s Lot in France. Continue reading →

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The top ten Maigret novels

Posted on 29/07/2010 by

  ‘What on earth has Georges Simenon’s Maigret got to do with living in southwest France?’ you might ask. And you’d be absolutely right. Very little, is the answer, at least on the face of it. However, I’ve often said … Continue reading →

Posted in Books/writing, French life, Language, Personalities, Top tips | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments