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Talking Location with Nicky Clifford – Swiss Alps and Berkshire

28th December 2016

#TalkingLocationWith… author Nicky Clifford

“I have spent many an hour sitting in a café beside the wonderful mountains, drinking the most amazing hot chocolates filled with piles of whipped cream and marshmallows. (In reality, I was on the sofa with my huge hot chocolate). But a talented Author can transport you, and Nicky Clifford did just that!” (Review Chocolate Pages of Nicky’s book Never Again).

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Writing has been my enduring passion. Over the years I have penned short stories, poems, articles and novels, but it took until I reached my 50th birthday to publish my debut novel, Never Again.

nicky-clifford-2I wish I could meticulously plan every chapter in advance, but when I try to do this, my mind goes as blank as the page in front of me. Instead, I spend a long time creating characters, building their backgrounds and imagining their hopes and dreams. I then take them to a location, start writing and see what happens next! There are many wonderful times when the story pretty much writes itself and my characters entertain me by behaving in ways that I hadn’t planned or expected. If only every chapter flowed as easily . . .

Talking Location with Nicky Clifford

 

The first half of Never Again is set in Switzerland. I chose this location because, more years ago than I care to remember, I was lucky enough to spend four months working in The Alpenrose hotel in Wengen during a placement from Bournemouth University. I couldn’t help falling in love with this remote village accessible only by the funicular railway or on foot. With its spectacular scenery, where magnificent mountains rise in every direction, combined with the peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, I was well and truly hooked.

nicky-clifford-4To add to the magic of this village, I discovered that my grandparents met in Wengen; they were happily married for over 50 years. My grandfather had an incredible career; he was Marshall of the Royal Air Force and Chief of the Air Staff, but he said that marrying my grandmother was: ‘the best thing I ever did’.

Even though I’d lived in Wengen, I still used Google to doublecheck facts and to jog my memory!

 

Top Tips for Wengen

In the summer, Wengen is the most perfect place for walkers; you can stroll through meadows filled with wild flowers, scale sky-high mountains and breathe in the fresh Alpine air. Extraordinary ice caves at Jungfraujoch can be reached by the funicular railway that runs through Wengen. In the winter, people flock to this area to ski.

The Heart of Berkshire, England

I prefer to write about locations that I know personally, which is why, following several dramas and unexpected twists and turns, Philippe and Harriet, Never Again’s protagonists, fly to Berkshire, my home since 1966.

Our village is a blink away from the most stunning countryside including the Kennet and Avon Canal, the River Thames, winding country lanes and quaint villages, all of which you will encounter as you journey your way through Never Again.

Top Tips for Berkshire

Where do I start? There is so much to do and see in Berkshire. Windsor Castle is an obvious choice – who wouldn’t want the chance to explore the family home of Kings and Queens for centuries, and to wander around the historic buildings in Windsor?

Henley on Thames is a charming town on the River Thames. Every summer, Henley Regatta attracts hundreds of people dressed in their finery to watch the rowing, crack open champagne, sip on glasses of Pimms and indulge in strawberries and cream.

A Bit About Nicky

I’m married to Mark. We spend our spare time cycling along the Kennet and Avon Canal, laughing our way through ballroom dancing lessons and watching Grey’s Anatomy! I also swim regularly and love taking my laptop to Nisby’s, my favourite gluten-free café in Reading, which sells the most delicious cakes and coffee, to work on my novel. It most definitely helps with my inspiration!

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b01l1me222-01-ztzzzzzzThank you to Nicky for sharing her insights into Wengen and Berkshire. You can connect with Nicky via her website, Twitter and Facebook. You can buy her book here.

And do come and connect with Team TripFiction via Twitter (@tripfiction), Facebook (TripFiction), Instagram (TripFiction) and Pinterest (TripFiction)… and now YouTube

For more books set in The Swiss Alps, click here and for more books set in Berkshire, click here.

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