I love to travel, whether to reconnect with my first home (Switzerland) or to explore new areas. When I do research for my novels, which take place in different countries, I often go back to a place to really look at it and see things I didn't notice when I traveled there as a tourist. It's a different kind of traveling, you have to slow down and really look at details in order to describe them accurately. Not just looking with your eyes, but using all your senses: observe the colors, light and shadow, smell the scents, listen to the sounds, taste the food. It's one of the most satisfying experiences of creative writing.
This morning, I went on my usual walk past my favorite pond of my childhood. As a child, I spent hours exploring, watching the ducks and other water birds.
This morning, I was struck by the play of light filtered through the trees.
This pond also plays a role in my novel An Uncommon Family (Family Portrait, Book 1)
More pictures that served as inspiration for the novel, you can find here: Picture Tour.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Look and See
Christa Polkinhorn, originally from Switzerland, lives and works as writer and translator in the Los Angeles area, California. She divides her time between the United States and Switzerland and has strong ties to both countries. She is the author of five novels and a collection of poems. Her travels and her interest in foreign cultures inform her work and her novels take place in several countries. Aside from writing and traveling, she is an avid reader and a lover of the arts, dark chocolate, and red wine.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
A cold, tea, coffee, delicacies, and a beautiful landscape
I get a full-blown cold only about every ten years or so. Well, it must be that year. Anyway, I try not to complain because at least I cough and sneeze while admiring a beautiful fall landscape here in my first/second home in Switzerland.
I allowed myself a writing hiatus, now that my WIP, the second book in The Wine Lover's Daughter series, is with my loyal beta readers. Here is a preliminary cover of Finding Angelo:
I went for walks in the neighborhood and here are a few photos.
A visit to my niece's and her husband's Vegan Restaurant and tea and coffee house Limalimón, in Bremgarten/AG. Excellent tea and coffee and yummy food, and, of course, great service by Claudia and Alberto and their team!
A wonderful selection of teas and cute gifts.
All the food and drinks prepared and served by enthusiastic and friendly people.
Alberto and Claudia, the owners, work together with the team.
Cook Brigitte prepares yummy delicacies.
Have you ever seen a ceiling lamp made of wine glasses? Here it is!
I allowed myself a writing hiatus, now that my WIP, the second book in The Wine Lover's Daughter series, is with my loyal beta readers. Here is a preliminary cover of Finding Angelo:
I went for walks in the neighborhood and here are a few photos.
A visit to my niece's and her husband's Vegan Restaurant and tea and coffee house Limalimón, in Bremgarten/AG. Excellent tea and coffee and yummy food, and, of course, great service by Claudia and Alberto and their team!
A wonderful selection of teas and cute gifts.
All the food and drinks prepared and served by enthusiastic and friendly people.
Alberto and Claudia, the owners, work together with the team.
Cook Brigitte prepares yummy delicacies.
Have you ever seen a ceiling lamp made of wine glasses? Here it is!
Labels:
Fall colors,
Limalimon,
mystery novels,
Switzerland,
WIP
Christa Polkinhorn, originally from Switzerland, lives and works as writer and translator in the Los Angeles area, California. She divides her time between the United States and Switzerland and has strong ties to both countries. She is the author of five novels and a collection of poems. Her travels and her interest in foreign cultures inform her work and her novels take place in several countries. Aside from writing and traveling, she is an avid reader and a lover of the arts, dark chocolate, and red wine.
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