Many of my stories start with a setting.
I’ve been fortunate enough to travel all over the United Kingdom from John o’Groats, the most northerly point in Scotland, to Lands End, the most southerly in England, and everywhere in between. I’ve been all over Europe, to the USA and to Asia.
Some places just get under your skin and stay there.
One day, I decided I wanted to write something to bring one of those more unusual places to readers.
That very special place was in Cornwall, England, UK. Near Penzance there is a theatre cleaved from the rock on the cliff face. A theatre at the edge of the world with a blue sea stretching out beyond, sandy little coves dotted along the coast like little pearls.
I decided I’d write a story
I wanted to introduce this place to others and toyed with the idea of the characters involved in theatre or gardening: because the Minack Theatre is a mecca for both.
Photo: Jackie Morrison.
See a film of the Minack Theatre on my Instagram: Jackie's Insta Film of Minack Theatre
The Minack Theatre was initially built by hand on a cliff in the garden of Rowena Cade. You can read more about this vision that merges a stunning sub-tropical garden and a theatre space.
We visited on a beautifully sunny day but nothing quite prepared me for what I saw when we entered from the car park. I instantly knew I’d have to write something set in this enchanting place and its surroundings. Cliffs, beaches, the sea, fields - there was so much on offer!
I loved writing this story so much - it was accepted within 48 hours!
A Clifftop Discovery appears in the People’s Friend Feel Good Fiction Special. Published by D.C.Thomson in the UK (and available on Amazon), it’s filled with 44 stories for summer. It’s available NOW in supermarkets and newsagents, via Amazon and direct from the D.C.Thomson online shop. I’ve popped a link to it at the bottom of this Post. I can barely believe it - A Clifftop Discovery is one of TWO stories I have in the Feel-Good Special!! The other one is called Let’s Dance.
My story was originally titled The Minack Miracle and I’d considered a proposal story but that was a bit cliched. I settled on having the characters revisit Cornwall at a point of change in their relationship. Many of my characters are later in life and going through life changes. It’s one of the advantages of being an “older” writer - having many life experiences!
I toyed with writing about someone who loved gardening, the theatre, or both. I wrote around the topic for ages and it was not quite right. I decided the main female character would be a florist to tie in with the gardens of Rowena Cade.
Then, I literally uncovered an element to bind the whole story together which came directly from the main character being a florist! That special element was a daisy diamond ring. That ring brought their love story and the landscape of the gardens at the Minack Theatre together in the most joyous way.
I’ll pop the story on here when I’m allowed but, for now, first publication rights are with D.C.Thomson for the Feel-Good Fiction Special, so be sure to pick up a copy! It’s 148 pages long and crammed with 40 stories over several genres: romance; cosy crime and holiday stories.
My character’s antique ring was inspired by this Daisy Diamond ring I found in an Etsy store. I had been perusing the possibility of a ruby ring, or other piece of jewellery, for our 40th wedding anniversary (our ruby wedding). The seller was kind enough to allow me to use the photos of the Daisy Diamond ring. Take a look at her beautiful stock here:
Are you inspired by shiny beautiful things?
Are you inspired by places that make an impression on you?
Travels and Writing Progress
This past long weekend, I’ve been in the Cairngorm National Park in Scotland. The days and evenings were long and the skies were blue. I even managed to do some reading (I’m currently reading Butter which won Debut Novel of the Year at the Nibbies, the UK Bookshop Awards). I languished in the sun with the dog at my feet and we were joined on occasion by a young blackbird who sung very accomplished melodies.
I managed to write around 1,500 words towards the novel-WIP which was amazing as I didn’t think I’d be in the mood for thinking/writing, but it’s amazing what a change of scene can do! So I’m almost leaping into the final 10,000 words but holding myself back to ensure I’ve lined everything up for the blast of an ending that I have pictured in my head for an age. All writers will know it is now up to me to deliver those images into words on the page!
I’m loving writing this one - it is about a Scottish myth/fable and a long-held love. Oh, it’s special! Fingers crossed the editor agrees.
Do you manage much writing when the sun shines? I tend to write much more in autumn and winter, with spring and summer being my inspiring months for ideas. This current Pocket Novel manuscript is a festive one though, so…yes, I’m aiming to complete it by June and submit in summer! So much for living in the moment ha ha!!
Happy writing to you!
Love, from Jackie in the Little Writing Corner in Scotland x x
Some Links For You:
The People's Friend Feel-Good Fiction Special via Amazon
D.C.Thomson online shop for Feel-Good Fiction Bookazine: buy x2 = free postage
Jackie's Insta Film of Minack Theatre
Rowena Cade and the story of the Minack Theatre
Rowena Cade and Minack Theatre
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