I've recently returned from two trips, the first to Barga, Tuscany, where I was teaching creative writing and coaching for Artemisia holidays; the second a family holiday to Norfolk, the location that inspired my second novel 'Bluethroat Morning'. The photograph to the left is taken from Barga Cathedral, built in the 10th century and from which one has an awe-inspiring vantage point over the Tuscan hillsides and mountains.
I spent many a lazy afternoon wandering about the twisting streets of Barga old town, mulling over the morning's teaching, plotting stories of my own. I was lucky enough to work with the inspirational coach Sallyann Sheridan who taught me much about how writing and coaching intertwine.
Artemisia is run by Lorraine McAvoy and her partner Joe. They offer creative writing holidays but also painting holidays, Samba drumming holidays, walking holidays, gastronomic holidays. What marked the week out for me was not only their hospitality (Joe, for example, spent one evening with us making truly amazing pizzas in his restored wood-fired oven; Lorraine drove us all to the nearby Spa at Bagna di Lucca where we relaxed in the thermal mud!) but also the amazing enthusiasm of the guests who came to write with us. I felt privileged to be amongst such people and to witness the way in which writing affected us all.
I too came on a journey during my time in Barga. I learnt so much about how coaching and writing can work together; and I was reminded how location continues to provide inspiration for my work. In a new place, away from everyday stimuli, from loved ones, the mind works in very different ways. What Artemisia provides is a chance to explore one's creativity in a location which allows that creativity to flourish in the fullest sense; both in terms of personal growth and artistic achievement.
A sense of place has always affected my writing. So I was pretty overjoyed to have the opportunity last week to revisit Norfolk with my family. Having spent a week in rainy Twickenham, the huge skies of North Norfolk were much needed and helped me recover from post-Barga blues. All that space and air and light was thrilling. This photograph was taken on Holkham beach, a favourite old haunt of my UEA (University of East Anglia) days. I first visited with fellow students on the Creative Writing MA and was amazed that such a beach could exist in England. Of course it was Cley, the neighbouring town, that inspired 'Bluethroat Morning'. I always found Cley beach an oppressive place, having visited it only in winter months, so it was odd to be there in summer and see it in an altered light; a few ghosts, at last, were lifted. On Holkham beach I took the opportunity for a little fleeting self-promotion; I post it here, to make it somewhat more permanent alongside a picture of the beach that first got to me, that grabbed my imagination and insisted I write a novel about it.
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