Clare Flynn’s Blog
Indian Immersion Down in Devon
I just broke through the fifty thousand word barrier on my new book Kurinji Flowers. Being here in Devon in the pouring rain is a great incentive to getting the words down. And even in the Devonian deluge, a good tramp down the country lanes always helps get the...
Down in Devon and Scribbling Away
I'm back here in Sheepwash Devon at the wonderful writers' retreat run by Deborah Dooley. This is my third visit here and I was very chuffed to find that Anne Tattersall whom I met here last year is back again too - along with two other lovely people - Nico Vince...
Fighting with my Characters
I'm having a bit of a battle. My characters are getting downright insubordinate. Talk about rank ingratitude to the person who's giving them life. I thought the fact that I'd got the whole story mapped out would mean I just had to sit down and write it, but it's...
Boatplanes, Confessions and AGH! My Aching Shoulders
Poor old Ginny's having a bit of a rough time. Soon after the dis-arse-terous dinner party, she hears some news requiring her to make a speedy return to Blighty. That led to me searching for the quickest route to get her home again. I managed to find a copy of the...
Poisonous Flowers, Indian Gods and a bit of History
I was writing today about the Angels' Trumpet flowers that I saw everywhere around Munnar and Periyar. Ginny my character was painting them and I thought I'd better check I'd got the name right. Turns out they're highly toxic... so you never know what that might mean!...
Elephants and Contraceptives
I've just used something that actually happened to me in my novel Kurinji Flowers. About five years ago (2007), I went to India for the first time and was driven at night from the airport at Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu to my destination, a yoga retreat near Coonoor.The...
What I’m Reading Now
I often feel guilty when I'm reading. It feels like skiving off. Instead of being curled up with a book I should be DOING something - writing, making, working, clearing, cleaning, exercising. In contrast soaking up someone else's words feels like a big fat indulgence....
A Tribute to Annette
A few days ago I wrote a blog piece about stealing with glee - and how I'd stolen a little descriptive phrase for the colour and character of the sea in and around Eastbourne from my friend Annette Gampel, nee Warburton - with her permission - granted via a comment on...
Stealing with Glee
I've been indulging in a spot of daylight robbery today. I used to work for an innovation company that had a favourite mantra "Steal with glee" - the idea being that you should look for inspiration anywhere and everywhere and beg, borrow and steal your ideas -...
In my First “Flush”
Despite Ginny's efforts to the contrary (see post below) I've finally broken into India. Yay! In fact I've been so caught up with it this afternoon I've written 1200 words and just stopping now for a cup of tea I realise it's 7pm when I thought it was 5! And talking...
Passage to India
Another 1500 words in the bag and on track to hit 10,000 today or tomorrow. Not that it's any indication of being well on the way, as even when the first draft is finished I know there'll be lots of rewriting to do. I am relieved though that we are at last out of...
A Bit About Research
I've got a new system. I go to bed thinking about what I want to write next then, just as I'm about to fall asleep, something pops into my head. I keep a notebook by the bed and just scribble down some quick reminders, before the arms of Morpheus grab me. Depending on...