The wonderful world of history

Many of my followers know that I love history.  It's something that's been with me ever since I was a child.  When I was at school I wanted to be an archaeologist.  Historical buildings, ancient bones, and artefacts the dead left behind, completely fascinated me.  Unfortunately my creative side was always stronger than my academic side, and I just didn't have high enough grades to follow it as a career.  Over the years my love of all things historical hasn't waned though; if anything it's continued to grow.  I collect books on my favourite historical subjects, visit museums all the time, and have recently completed two short courses on 'Archaeological techniques' and 'the History of Ancient Egypt' with Exeter University.  

There are so many great archaeological sites that I would like to visit but haven't had a chance too yet.  I'd love to go to Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, to wander the ancient streets and buildings that were covered by ash in AD79 when Vesuvius blew her top, and devastated the surrounding area.  I'd also love to visit Knossos on Crete, it's considered to be Europe's oldest city and the centre of the Minoan Civilisation.  I'd really love to also get the chance to go to Machu Picchu in Peru, a lost city that sits at 7,000ft above sea level and was only rediscovered in 1911.  These amazing places all sit on a list of dream sites that I keep adding too.  One day I hope I'll get to visit some of them.

Despite not visiting any of the above, I've been lucky to go to some great sites already, both in the UK and abroad. 

Egypt

My husband and I first visited Luxor, Egypt in 2001.  We immersed ourselves in the history and it was a great holiday.  While there, we went to two museums - Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum, the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens and Nobles.  We also went to a lot of temples - Karnak, Luxor, the Ramesseum, Del er Bahri, and Medinet Habu to name but a few.

The history and culture of Egypt is wonderful and I just love the place.

Me at Colossi Memnon

A few years later we visited Cairo, despite being a hectic city it didn't disappoint.  The Egyptian Museum is incredible there are so many artefacts to see and the mummy room is really interesting. We also went to the Giza Plateau to see the pyramids and the Sphinx, and Saqqara to see Djoser's step pyramid and funerary temple.  No one can ever describe how truly stunning these monuments are, it's something you just have to see for yourself.

Step pyramid at Saqqara

Somerset, England

I spend a lot of time in the West Country (UK), it's where I was born and the area is steeped in folklore and interesting history.  One of the places I visit a lot is Glastonbury, the town is small, but there is a ruinous abbey (razed to the ground on the say so of Henry VIII), and of course Glastonbury Tor, a prominent hill that overlooks the town, with the Tower of St Michaels at the summit.

Glastonbury Tor

Just down the road from Glastonbury is Burrowbridge, a small village on the edge of the Somerset Levels.  In the village there's an ancient earthwork called Burrow Mump.  It looks a bit like Glastonbury Tor, but on a smaller scale, the ruinous church at the top is also called St Michaels.  The area around Burrowbridge is rich in history, it sits close to the Isle of Athelney, an ancient  fortress/hiding place of King Alfred the Great.  I love Burrow Mump, and the view of the Somerset levels from the top it is great.

Burrow Mump

Jordan

In 2000, my husband and I went to Jordan.  The ancient city of Petra is indescribable.  Nothing can quite prepare you for the sight that greets you when you step out from the Siq Gorge to see the ancient city for the first time.  The site is huge, filled with rock cut tombs, temples and an amphitheatre.  It literally takes your breath away. 

Rock cut tombs, Petra

In the south of Jordan is the gulf of Aqaba.  Out in the gulf is Pharaohs Island, a small land mass with a fort on.  It was built and used by the crusaders to defend routes between Cairo and Damascus.  It's a really interesting place and the water surrounding it is beautifully clear for snorkelling and diving. 

These are just some of my favourite places.  There are so many others, but if I listed them all this blog would be the size of a novel! 

Until next time.

Turning a holiday into a book

I am currently working on my next book 'Among the Olive Groves' which is due for release in August this year.  I am enjoying writing it and I am still amazed that an entire book has been formed from one small sentence.  Let me explain.

Back in 2005 my husband and I went on holiday to Zakynthos, a small Greek Island in the Ionian sea.  We were there to attend a wedding, but I also celebrated my birthday and met up with some family who live there.  It was a lovely week of celebrations, exploring, relaxing and catching up.  Zakynthos is a beautiful island, there is a lot of greenery, olive groves are plentiful and the sea constantly shimmers between blue and bright turquoise.  There is plenty to do, lots of great places to eat, and it's an island with a varied and interesting history.

During our trip my husband and I met many people.  Greek people are wonderful, so friendly and welcoming and many had stories to tell.  During dinner one evening, a local told me an interesting one-liner about something that happened to his relative during the war.  I won't go into details but it shocked me.  I couldn't believe that something so terrible could have happened in such an idyllic place.

On my return home, the sentence stuck with me, and continued to churn in my brain. Eventually it settled and life continued as normal.  Things in Greece have  changed recently due to the recession that hit most of Europe and beyond.  I have many friends in Zakynthos and I was saddened to hear about bars and restaurants closing due to the 'current climate', and the strain it has put on those who live there.  Despite life being hard, the people who live in Zakynthos love it, and most would tell you they wouldn't live anywhere else. 

A few years ago that 'interesting one-liner' resurfaced again, and I knew then that I had to write a book set in Zakynthos.  I wanted to incorporate what the local had told me all those years before, but I also wanted to write about how great the island is nowadays. After two attempts of writing the story, I nearly gave up, the idea just wouldn't form itself and I was having problems putting everything I wanted to say into a coherent form of words.  Suddenly, last year, my brain clicked into gear and the story finally came to me and I have to admit that I love it.  It is a story that has been written from the heart.  It has been a labour of love and I hope that people will enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

  

Coming soon - Among the Olive Groves!

Nineteen year old Elena Petrakis adores living on Zakynthos. When World War Two looms, forces that she can’t control threaten her way of life. Left with no choice she becomes Partisan joining the island's resistance to fight for what she believes in; her family, her home, and her freedom.  

Decades later, thousands of miles away in the Cornish town of Newquay, a young Kate Fisher prepares to celebrate her twenty-first birthday, but her joy is fleeting when she learns that she is adopted. Kate abandons Cornwall, her parents and her best friend Fletch, to live in Bristol, but her past continues to haunt her. Fleeing to Zakynthos, she is forced to acknowledge a life that she has struggled to come to terms with, one that will change her future forever.

From the beautiful crystal turquoise seas of the Ionian Islands to the rugged shores of the Cornish coast, 'Among the Olive Groves' is a moving story of love, bravery and sacrifice.

Springtime in London

After months of rain, high winds and flooding the UK weather has finally settled down and the sun has started to shine.  Trees are blossoming, flowers are blooming and spring has most definitely arrived.  As much as I love the winter it is nice to see that the weather is getting better and I hope it stays that way for a while!  

My year has been very busy so far, my novella Integrate has received some great reviews and I'm getting great feedback from people who have read it, which is lovely.  I am now working hard on my next release, Among the olive Groves, a World War Two suspense set in Zakynthos in Greece.  I hope, if all goes to plan, it will be released on 01 August this year.  There is a lot left to do and I'm currently knee deep in revisions, but so far so good.  More information can be found on my research board on Pinterest (link below).

I have also started work on a sequel to Integrate called Patience, I never intended to write a sequel but the idea came to me a few weeks ago and it has grown and nagged at me.  After writing all the ideas down I have realised that it would definitely make a great story, and needs to be written, so I'm quite excited about it.  A full draft of another novel, (due for release next year) has gone through its first round of editing and I will be concentrating on getting it into shape later in the year.  It is called Wind across the Nile, and is a thriller set in Egypt.

As you can see I have a lot to keep me busy.  I will however try to keep this blog updated a little more often.  In the meantime you can always get more up to the minute news from the following social media pages:

Twitter: @Chrissie_author

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/ChrissieAuthor/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChrissieParkerAuthor

I also have a page on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/27035030-chrissie-parker 

Coming Soon

Integrate by Chrissie Parker

A battered and broken body lies in the road.  A discovery that leaves the local community gripped with fear.  Suspicion as to who killed the woman is rife.

Corinne’s peaceful life is shattered by the tragic death, forcing her to struggle daily with overwhelming grief and loss.

A chance meeting with a stranger helps Corinne through the hurt and pain, but can she really trust Jack?

Excerpt from Integrate

A screech of tyres stirred Helena from her thoughts and she saw a car swerving wildly in the road, narrowly missing a frightened fox.  She breathed with relief as the animal safely scuttled into a garden.

Suddenly, reality hit her.  The vehicle was close.  Far too close.  It was heading straight for her at a speed that was excessively fast.  Her brain urged her to run but it was already too late.  The vehicle was too quick.

Helena stared at the driver in bewilderment, as everything became slow motion.  He wasn’t even looking at the road, then, at the last moment, he lifted his head and his shocked and scared eyes locked with hers.

About the Author

Chrissie is a freelance Production Coordinator working in the TV, documentary and film industry.  She is also an Author.  “Integrate” a suspense Novella, is her first release.  She is currently working on two suspense books due for release in 2014. One is set in Egypt and the other on the Greek Island of Zakynthos.

Chrissie is passionate about History, Archaeology and travel. She lives in London with her husband. To find out more about Chrissie visit her website www.chrissieparker.com

Hibiscus Tea and Temples

I have a passion for ancient history especially when it relates to Egypt.  I try to impart to people what an amazing place it is, but words never seem to wholly do it justice, I always say, the only way to learn about a country is to go and see it for yourself. 

Egypt is currently suffering due to the continued knock on effect of the toppling of Mubarak and change of Government, and the threat to foreigners in Sinai.  Recently the Foreign and Commonwealth Office changed the guidance for travel to Sinai and it’s environs.  Sadly the media has mis-reported that change of guidance stating that traveling to Egypt as a whole is unsafe.  This is not true, the restrictions are in place for the Sinai Peninsula with a note to check advice before traveling to the rest of the Country, which is standard FCO advice.

When I talk about Egypt I’m aware of its struggles as a country and of the challenges it faces every day, but I’m more aware of what a truly amazing place it is to visit.  Tourism makes up a large percentage of its income and at present tourist numbers are desperately low, and don’t seem to be picking up as quickly as people hoped.  It’s a shame people choose not to visit and explore the country, due to continued mis-reporting. 

Egypt is filled with culture and history.  Modern day life sits neatly alongside ancient monuments that are thousands of years old.  Contrary to some reports Egyptians are friendly accommodating people who will welcome you with open arms and make you feel at home, and now couldn’t be a better time to visit.  Due to the low tourist numbers, sites that are usually crowded and sometimes difficult to see, are relatively quiet, giving visitors the chance to spend more time there and really absorb their surroundings, making them feel they’re the first people to have stepped into that temple or tomb for generations.

We all know about the famous sites such as the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza, but there are many more magical places to see in Egypt.  There’s the fantastic mortuary temple at Medinet Habu in Luxor that has some of the best coloured reliefs, and accounts of Egyptian life I’ve ever seen.  Or there’s the temple of Isis at Philae, a beautiful temple that only stands today thanks to rescue work undertaken many years ago by UNESCO to save it from flooding and being lost forever.  If you have the time you could journey to the edge of Egypt itself to gaze upon the awe inspiring Abu Simbel, a sight that just takes your breath away and leaves you wanting more.  The list is endless, with so many temples, tombs and other ancient sites spread throughout the Country, you’re spoilt for choice.

Egypt also has many museums to house it’s collection of treasures. The largest is the Egyptian Museum in Cairo which contains artefacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb, as well as items belonging to the heretic King Akenaten, and if you have a penchant for the more gory side of life you can gaze upon a well preserved collection of mummified bodies of Royalty past.  In Luxor there are two museums, the aptly named Luxor Museum housing treasures found during excavations in Luxor and Karnak, and the Mummification Museum, where every item is dedicated to the ancient art of preserving the dead for the afterlife.

If you get bored with the history, and I promise you, you won’t, you could meander your way through the many shopping streets and bazaars bartering for some interesting souvenirs, or beautiful hand crafted goods, whilst accepting a friendly stallholders hospitality of a glass of hibiscus tea.  If this isn’t to your taste the luxurious Winter Palace Hotel in Luxor is an ideal place to have a break for a relaxing lunch overlooking the Nile.
 
I could go on. There are so many incredible things to see and do in Egypt, whether you choose to visit Cairo, Luxor, or venture further south to Aswan.  You could even combine all three by leisurely cruising down the Nile on a Dahabiyya.

So when considering your next holiday, why not try Egypt? It’s safe, there’s more to see and do than you could ever fit into one visit, and you’ll be welcomed with open arms and feel at home in a country that was just made to be discovered. If that hasn’t persuaded you then just imagine stepping onto a felucca, and relaxing as you sail serenely along the Nile, watching the beauty of Egyptian life passes you by, as the sun slowly sets leaving you with a bright shining moon and twinkling stars to guide you gently back to shore.

Writing from the heart

Over the years the expression 'Write about what you know' has passed my ears on many occasions, and generally my writing revolves around subjects that I enjoy.  History, archaeology and travel to name a few.

Lately my mind has nagged at me, often at the most inconvenient times, telling me that I have a story to tell.  A story that is highly charged and emotional, that will take all of the strength I have to write it.  A story that needs to be told, not for my sake but for the sake of others, so that others can feel they are not alone, so that others can see that there is hope and so that I can try and help break taboo and stigma.

I have wrestled with the idea for a while now.  I was reluctant and also embarrassed, it would mean bearing my soul completely, it would mean others knowing the full extent of my life, it would mean asking friends and family to recall details they may rather forget.  I would be opening myself up and laying myself bare.  A scary thought.

After much consideration I finally made the decision.  I finally began writing last week and am already ten thousand words in.  I have already been on an emotional roller coaster that has been hard to stomach and had conversations with people I love and who love me that have brought situations flooding back, some of which I'd rather forget.  It has been hard and at one point I asked myself if I was really making the right decision.  But I know now that I am and I'm determined to continue.

The story I am talking about is a hard one but I need to tell it, you see I have Epilepsy. A condition that is incredibly mis-understood.  I am not alone and there are many others like me, but I am fortunate to have been supported by a wonderful group of people over the years.  My story may take a while to write, it may be hard, and at times upsetting, but I am determined to do it.  I'm determined to publish it, and get it out there for people to read.  It is important that people who have the condition know they are not alone, and that is my sole purpose.

When writers write, they write about what they know.  I am doing that, but on this occasion I am also writing from the heart, and it's the hardest thing I have ever done.

My writing Assistants

This is a cheeky/fun post today.  I thought I'd introduce you to my two gorgeous writing assistants.  Every day they assist me with their own particular style of 'helping' and I love having them around.

                                                                  

Luna
Luna is named after the Roman Goddess of the Moon.  Her favourite duties are sleeping nestled against the back of the laptop, or sleeping on top of the keyboard adding her own brand of typing to whatever it is I'm working on!

Flora
Flora is named after the Roman Goddess of Spring and Flowers. Her favourite duties are sleeping.  She is also excellent at cuddles and often interrupts work to nuzzle my hand, sit on my lap and cuddle whilst purring loudly.


I highly recommend getting a couple of assistants, they make you smile and make the day a worthwhile one!