Next month, Destroyer of Worlds, Book 3 of Kingdom of the Serpent is published in the UK, the final volume of my sprawling fantasy series which began with World’s End, Age of Misrule Book 1, nearly ten years ago. When the final edit was complete, it seemed only right that I return to the place where I first dreamed up the story, sitting by the side of the sea on the Celtic fringes of the UK.
It’s not like I’ve been any stranger to Tenby in Pembrokeshire, South Wales – I’ve been going pretty much on an annual basis since I was about seven, sometimes for a few days, sometimes a couple of weeks. For me, the place is damned near perfect for a writer looking for inspiration: winding streets with odd little shadowy alleys, colourful houses, medieval walls, a nearby castle (which featured, like Tenby, in World’s End) the best beaches in this part of the world, and a history of mystery and mysticism. It’s always been a place artists have visited, for much the same reasons – check out the great museum and art gallery if you don’t believe me.
As it’s the start of the summer, I thought I’d give it a mention here, and in a couple of posts to follow. If you’re ever down there, take a look – you won’t be disappointed.
Yeah, Tenby’s aces. Beautiful harbour, lovely town :)
It was mildly annoying however to visit the museum there at the end of my final year of university, and find a collection of artefacts dug up from the hillfort I based my (just finished)dissertation around.
Shame none of the resources mentioned where the finds were….
That whole part of Wales is special to me. The fact that it, and some of the other places featured in the books really made them come alive for me.
I have many happy memories of Tenby :)
Nice to read about your stays at Tenby and the inspiration it gives you in your works.Also that a nice picture of Tenby harbour.
I can’t wait to come to your side of the world…