Eva Glyn writes stunning holiday reads set in gorgeous destinations. The wonderful characters are relatable and warm. It is always a treat to indulge in one of Eva’s novels. Eva chatted with me about her latest release – The Santorini Writing Retreat.
Jessie: Explain what your current novel is about and what inspired you to write it.
Eva: The Santorini Writing Retreat is about the power of friendship – even new friendships, especially when they’re forged in times of trouble.
I had originally envisaged the book as a writers’ circle, but when my editor suggested it should be a writing retreat I had excellent reference material, having been on several in Spain led by Rosanna Ley.
Jessie: How did you approach writing your current novel? For instance, did you plan each chapter, did you research?
Eva: The short answer is like no other I have ever written. The idea that it would be a retreat rather than a writing group changed so much. And along with it the idea that I’d be leaving Croatia behind for the first time.
All this happened over lunch with my editor last June, and as soon as I got onto the train back to Cornwall I set to work developing the characters. By the time I got home I had the setting (originally Sicily), five main characters with outline arcs, and the secret which would propel the plot forward.
Roll forward a month and the publishing director approved the idea, but wanted it set in Greece – and finished by Christmas. This meant I needed to write smarter and faster than ever before, which meant loading a scene by scene plan into my software and sticking to a strict daily word count. The aim was to finish the first draft by the time I visited Santorini in October to retrofit my research, and I made it just in time.
Jessie: Where is your novel set? Share one quote from your novel that captures the setting.
Eva: The book is set on a writing retreat on a farm in a quiet, rural part of Santorini away from the tourist crowds:
“Rather than being perched on the caldera, The Retreat House was on the island’s gentler slopes, away from the dramatic expanse of water which had once been the volcano’s heart. Below her were olive groves, vineyards and empty fields of cracked earth, dusty grey in some places and almost red in others in striking contrast to the silver green of the trees. The hum of cicadas filled the air, punctuated now and then by the bleats of the goats who wandered between the low mounds of russet-fringed vines. How idyllic was this?
Closer to hand, the courtyard blazed with pots full of colourful flowers and scented herbs that made her heart sing. Nearer still, the richly coloured bougainvilleas which were beginning to wind their way around her balcony rails fluttered in the gentlest of breezes like so many butterflies.”
Jessie: Explain how you overcame a challenge with your current novel?
Eva: With my Croatian novels my friend Darko helps me with the language and cultural aspects of what it is really like to live in the country. In Santorini, I had no-one, and as our week on the island went on I was still scratching my head, so I overcame my natural reticence and asked the hotel manager, Kyriakos. He was brilliant and has continued his support right through the whole process.
More about Eva Glyn
Eva Glyn writes stories of friendship and love in sunny, Mediterranean settings. A travel-holic herself, she aims to take the reader with her through the pages, with all the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of her chosen destination. She also writes as Jane Cable, with haunting romances set closer to home.
To find out more, follow Eva on Instagram: @evaglynauthor or on Facebook: Eva Glyn, Author
More about The Santorini Writing Retreat
Bestselling author Jessica Rose needs to escape from a terrible secret that’s robbed her of her creativity. Could leading a retreat on a gorgeous Greek island be just what she needs?
Coming home to Santorini was never in Zina’s plans, but now she’s determined to make her new business a success.
And then there’s Karmela, who just wants to write her book and make her mother proud.
In the heat of their Greek island paradise, these new friends find the courage to shape their own stories, and write endings they can all be proud of…
Eva Glyn is a wonderful writer and The Santorini Writing Retreat has received high praise from readers, with one reviewer saying:
‘It’s a multi-layered story, deep but not heavy, tackling serious issues that many will identify with. I loved it. I have said it before, but Eva Glyn’s writing is assured and with each book, she gets better and better.’
Eva Glyn’s stories are always unique and I can’t wait to savour every word.
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