Writing and Cornwall – Kitty Wilson
Cornwall, set at the very tip of the British Isles and almost completely surrounded by water, is packed full of golden beaches, rugged moorland, rich history and hidden coves making it one of the most picturesque parts of the country. This time of year, as winter turns to spring, the woodlands are covered in a blanket of bluebells, sunshine sparkles once again upon the ocean and an array of flowers liven up the hedgerows, squidging against car windows as you drive down the teeny-eeny lanes.
In a couple of months summer will be here and Cornwall becomes reminiscent of a tropical paradise, turquoise waters lapping on golden sand as children play at the tideline and splash in the waves, the smell of seafood on barbecues jostling with the tang of salt in the air. Large sunglasses and floppy hats, rockpools and fairy castles made from wet sand, surfboards and sun-bleached hair – all of these are the very essence of Cornwall in the summertime.
Even the light down here is special, St Ives is claimed to be different from anywhere else in the world, the light having such a special quality that generations of artists have flocked to the town, rather like the dolphins which congregate and play in the bay.
But I’m biased, I lived in Cornwall for twenty-five years and have only moved away recently, with every intention of returning as soon as possible. It is where I feel most at home, where my heart is truly happy. Every plot hole, every real-life problem can be detangled or put into perspective after a trudge along the beach regardless of the season.
However, there is more to Cornwall than picture postcard prettiness. It is also home to moorland, to desolate open spaces where you won’t see another soul for miles, abandoned mines and jagged cliffs that remind you that you are never far from danger and that Cornwall is elemental and capricious. This is the Cornwall of Daphne du Maurier’s Jamaica Inn, home to smugglers and pirates who used those hidden coves to hide their bounty, who knew that those waves could be rough and grey and treacherous. A county where fishermen have been swallowed by a remorseless sea and miners lie entombed in the rich earth. Tragedy sits alongside joy on every inch of coast.
I grew up reading books set in Cornwall, epic sagas like Penmarric and Poldark and imagined a county full of brooding Cornishman and darkly gothic mansions and was a little disappointed as a teen not to be kidnapped and spirited away to one. As an adult, I’m rather relieved I escaped this but still harbour dreams of Du Maurier’s Frenchman’s Creek, where I could one day stumble upon a hidden pirate ship with a dashing captain promising adventure and romance upon the high seas.
Whilst Sir John Betjeman famously wrote poetry in praise of the ‘Delectable Duchy’, Robert Louis Stevenson saw the other side, taking against it and describing it as bleak. Throw in the mysticism and rich history of the county and you can see why Cornwall has been a perfect setting for writers over the centuries. Two very different worlds contained in one small space and both imbued with a magical quality that I have never come across elsewhere. A place that conjures up images of romance and charm whilst harbouring a shadowy underbelly. A county that has influenced so many fabulous stories encompassing the whole spectrum of light to dark. With its dazzling beaches, secret coves, terrifying ravines and historic engine houses it provides the perfect backdrop for every genre. As you walk around the county you cannot fail to see plots unfurl, imagine characters running across the moorland or the beach. Secrets, betrayal, passion – it’s all there encapsulated in the landscape and seeping out of every pore.
I have chosen to write about the light-hearted side of Cornish life in my series of romantic comedies based around a village school. Modern day Cornwall is increasingly glamourous with all sorts of chi-chi bars and restaurants popping up all over the county. More and more filming is done here, shining a light on the beauty of the county but for me it is the charm of community, the strength of support that you find in the villages that I like to celebrate. The setting makes this such a pleasure to write, in my latest book (the third in this series) I have included not just the joys of living by the beach but also the remarkable Minack Theatre which is hewn out of the cliff face and made entirely of stone – with the sea providing a backdrop to the performances there, the ancient village of Chysauster, the narrow streets of Mousehole and the fabulous Cornish tradition of Feast Week.
Cornwall soothes my soul whilst exciting my senses and I am not alone. So many writers are drawn time and time again to this county both for pleasure and for work, it’s siren call capturing the hardest of hearts. There is magic here and I, for one, will always find it an intriguing and stimulating setting. With inspiration around every corner I cannot see it losing its appeal any time soon.
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Kitty Wilson lived in Cornwall for twenty-five years having been dragged there, against her will, as a stroppy teen. She is now remarkably grateful to her parents for their foresight and wisdom – and that her own children aren’t as hideous. Recently she has moved to Bristol, but only for love and on the understanding that she and her partner will be returning to Cornwall to live very soon. She spends most of her time welded to the keyboard, dreaming of the beach or bombing back down the motorway for a quick visit! She has a penchant for very loud music, equally loud dresses and romantic heroines who speak their mind.
Do come and find me on social media, I’m always happy to say hello –
https://www.facebook.com/kitty.wilson.1610
https://twitter.com/KittyWilson23
THE CORNISH VILLAGE SCHOOL – SECOND CHANCES
Ex-ballerina and single mum Sylvie is in trouble. Juggling her ballet classes in the nearest town, preparing shy Sam for his first day at Penmenna Village school and trying to finally move out from the farm she shares with her cantankerous Uncle Tom means life is anything but easy.
Television Journalist Alex is facing challenges of his own. Seeking a calmer environment for his newly adopted daughter, Ellie, he’s swapped reporting in war zones for the school PTA in quiet Penmenna, where his best friend Chase has persuaded him to start laying some roots.
Fireworks ignite when Sylvie and Alex meet but as Ellie and Sam become instant best friends, will they be able to keep things strictly platonic for the sake of the children?
The second book in the feel-good and rib-tickling Cornish Village School series. Perfect for fans of Tilly Tennant, Holly Martin and Cathy Bramley.
What others are saying about The Cornish Village School – Second Chances:
‘A terrific read and I hope there’s more to come in this topnotch series. Absolutely recommended to those who enjoy an entertaining rom-com with a bit of substance to the story!’ Reader review
‘This one hit all my sweet spots!‘ Reader review
‘Really looked forward to reading this one and wasn’t disappointed… with a mix of old and new characters this was a charming novel… very easy reading and especially liked the community spirit with the school once again at the heart of the story… excellent read‘ Reader review
‘I love this series!!! Such fun, funny, sweet books :)’ Reader review
‘This is a first for me by this author but won’t be the last… It’s a heart-warming, real and yet funny story of two strangers coming together’ Reader review
“From an eclectic cast of characters to the charming village setting, the book is feel-good, warm, funny, endearing and thoroughly entertaining!” Curious Ginger Cat
‘A really delightful book, laugh out loud and full of autumn… Kitty Wilson tells this heart-warming story of two single parents of reception class children so well. It’s not sugary or schmaltzy but real and funny and I think anyone who’s ever fallen in love – or in lust – will recognise Sylvie’s feelings. The Cornish Village School is a brilliant concept and I can see Penmenna becoming as real to readers of romantic fiction as Heidi Swain’s Wynbridge. The recurring characters are beautifully drawn – warts and all – and I can’t wait to find out what happens next in their lives.’ Reader review
‘This book is heartwarming, makes you feel good, is entertaining and it’s really enjoyable.’ Reader review
Category: Contemporary Women Writers, How To and Tips
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