Write-in Paris (WIP) !

Boulevard Voltaire. Photo by Sean Fitzroy.

Closed shops with handwritten notes on their shuttered doors announcing vacation, emptier streets so tempting the urge to walk in the middle of them sometimes overtakes. Cafes are even more relaxed than usual. Linger, linger.

But crowds still appear in parks with picnic baskets and blankets to watch outdoor movies. Sunny enough this year, too, for Paris Plages (ends this Sunday). The tourist sites must be packed, as well, though I haven’t been anywhere near those for awhile.

It’s August in Paris. A slow, delicious month. Counterintuitively to some, it’s my favorite one. I love working during this time. Less pressure in the air as others holiday, I feel as if I’m getting ahead.

Corner cafe. Photo by Michele Filgate.

I’ve come up with an idea, friends, and I’m excited to share. I hope you will join if you can.

Starting in September, I will begin hosting “write-in” sessions in my home. Not a workshop. Not a class. Rather “communal scribble sessions in the City of Light.”

So often, the biggest challenge in writing is the most basic of steps: sitting down and staying there to do it. I think a lot about why it’s so hard to keep one’s butt in the chair – resistance, doubt, distractions, fear.

I know I’m not alone. It’s a solitary act, writing. And yet we, writers, are a tribe.

What if I created a community specifically to foster collective creative energy in a supportive environment? Offered a cozy space to focus on projects, our concentration on solo work buoyed by a group?

I’ve launched Write-In Paris (WIP) and would love for you to take a look. Think of it as a weekly date with your writing in good company. Consider it a membership to a writer’s gym – only this gym is always super fun with like-minded souls. You’ll commit to your writing practice and it’s a promise you’ll want to keep.

I’m looking forward to the rentree now. I can’t wait to put WIP into play!

Please visit the Write-In Paris (WIP) website for full details on schedules and pricing. Then, I hope you sign up!

Thoughts? Ideas? I welcome your suggestions of how to make WIP great and how to spread the word. Thank you!

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Prête-Moi Paris’ Blogiversary Bash

Having a ball (can you name all the Paris superstars in this shot?)

As a writer, I know the importance of detail. The same must hold true for events.

Last night, Melissa Ladd of Prête-Moi Paris celebrated her four-year blogiversary at her gorgeous home in the seventeenth arrondissement (seriously! apartment envy!).

Fitted with streaming pink pendants and rose-colored poofs, the festive rooms set the stage for a super fun soiree. 

Path of Beauty (Video)

Happy V-day, folks.

Let’s celebrate love in ALL its forms today. And everyday!

We can love each other, our lover, our friends, our family. How about loving ourselves, too?

Beautiful moments, alone or shared.

Big bisous, friends. I consider you all my Valentines.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Serious Snowfall

The past weekend saw Paris covered in snow. It may be gone now, but for a few glorious days, the city was transformed. It’s the biggest snow I can remember.

Here are a few pictures:

Magic Moment: Glen Hansard at Shakespeare & Co

Last Tuesday Glen Hansard played an afternoon acoustic set in Shakespeare & Company bookshop. Hansard is perhaps best known  for his part in the movie “Once,” but he’s a veteran musician (with The Frames and more recently The Swell Season).

What a privilege to be in such an intimate space listening to gorgeous, unadorned music! One voice and a guitar. That’s it.

“Lots of traveling takes a toll on the flesh,” Hansard said, “but not the soul. Voice may sound broken but it’s singing its heart out.”

His voice sure didn’t sound broken to me. Strong, emotional, and yes, full of heart. In an age of cynicism I find Hansard’s earnestness – those life and love songs he belts out at the top of his lungs – so refreshing.

(Poor quality video, but to give you an idea):

Shakespeare & Co’s upstairs library doesn’t hold many people; we packed in as we could. Hansard recounted the first time he came to play in Paris in 1993 or ’94. He heard that Serge Gainsbourg and Samuel Beckett were buried in Montparnasse cemetery near the Irish bar where they were booked. He decided to pay his respects.

They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To

I grew up watching old films. (See my post about my master plan to host American Movie Classics as a kid). Film noir was a favorite.

When I did my crash course of French before moving here, a large part of my self-education involved watching French films and reading the transcripts at the same time. I was simply “opening my ear” to the language; I didn’t understand a dang thing! But what a pleasurable introduction.

Somehow I missed this one: Ascenseur pour l’échafaud or “Elevator to the Gallows” in its US release. This was Louis Malle’s first film (he was only 25!).

If this trailer doesn’t make you want to watch it immediately, well…I will still love you, but be forever confused as to how in the world this does not look awesome to you.

Hear that lonely trumpet?

That is MILES DAVIS playing an original score. And get this: he IMPROVISED the music while watching the film.

Soaking up Sunshine; Stocking up on Books

Lazing around Le Square du Vert-Galant

Pont Neuf Bridge

Luxembourg Gardens

Spring. Is. Amazing.

It makes me want to dance!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Paris in Photos

A lovely photo montage by a 22-year old Parisian photographer named Adrien.

Enjoy!

Paris: 50 People, 1 Question (What Makes You Happy?)

February is traditionally a tough month for me.

Not only is it one of the coldest (I woke up to snow covering the ground yesterday!), but the promise of spring still feels so far away. The sky is gray; days short. Then there’s that whole V-day thing right in the middle of it, but we shan’t talk about that.

I’ve been pretty social so far this month, but sometimes, all I feel like doing is being a hermit.

Hunkering down has its benefits, though. It’s a time of reflection, as well.

Lest it sound like I have a case of the winter blues…well, yes, true. But I’m really happy, too.

Here’s a video that asks people in the streets of Paris that very question: what makes you happy? It seems a simple question, but as you’ll see, people at first have a hard time answering.

It may sound strange, but this is part of what I’m sorting through these days. What does make me happy? What do I want to be doing? Where am I heading? What is my purpose? And what about this thing called love?

Thankfully, a whole ton of things give me joy and I get on a roll as soon as I start: the sun, a smile, finding just the right word. Friends. Family. A good book. A cup of tea. Chocolat chaud. Kindness. Seeing a friend’s face, even though we’re an ocean apart (thanks, Skype). Light seeping through the window. Surprises. This American Life.

And of course, Paris. Watch the video then share if you’d like. I’d love to hear:
what makes you happy?

Mon Pays et Paris

The Friday before Christmas Eve – woo-hoo!

Just thought I’d share my version of holiday music. I’m no caroler, but this puts me in a certain kind of spirit.

J’ai deux amours: mon pays et Paris, the song says. “I have two loves: my country and Paris.” Ain’t that the truth.

I do sometimes feel stretched across the great Atlantic. Family and friends gathered together back in the States; I miss them from here. But I also feel like I am home. Home in Paris. Why limit love? Love is meant to be big and generous and open-hearted and deep. How great to have two loves.

Mon pays et Paris.

Merry Christmas, everyone!