Happy May Day! As a child in Montana, I filled baskets with flowers and treats to hang on neighbors’ doors. In France, the Fête du travail is similar to Labor Day, and many businesses close so workers can enjoy a day off. Wherever you are, and whatever the day means to you, I hope that you will enjoy it!
I’m just back from Carmel, where every hour brought different colors and textures.
I was honored to be the Author in Residence at the Northern California Writers’ Retreat in Carmel Valley. I loved spending time with talented writers and sharing a bit of our novel journeys. There are many ups and downs on the road to publication, so it heartening to hear other writers’ stories. It was especially wonderful to be there with my agent, Heather Jackson.
Yesterday, I enjoyed listening to Lindsey Tramuta present her latest book, The Eater Guide to Paris at the Red Wheelbarrow. I highly recommend this book. I first interviewed Lindsey in 2013. When I asked her advice for people who long to write, she replied: “Write write write! And when you're not writing, read. Read everything, even material that doesn't directly relate to the topics you typically write about. It's astounding how many creative ideas and techniques for writing you can glean from The Economist or hard news publications. And the best advice I ever read is to allow yourself time to be bored. It's in those idle moments that your mind has a chance to wander and latch onto story ideas that may not have crystallized had you not given yourself that chance to recharge. This is a tremendous challenge in today's digital world where a mere 5 minutes in line to pay for groceries leaves us tapping our feet and playing on our mobile devices, but it's crucial. I haven't mastered it yet (will I ever?) but I understand the importance of mental down time.”
My audiobook The Parisian Chapter will be out on May 27th! To receive a bonus chapter, preorder my audiobook The Parisian Chapter at one of the stores below and click here .
The minute I started as the programs manager at the American Library in Paris, I knew that it was a novel waiting to be written. There, folks from all walks of life - our favorite authors, stressed staff, broke students, and high society trustees - crossed paths, and sometimes crossed swords. I wrote The Parisian Chapter from the points of view of several characters, but it was hard to decide which should begin the story and set the tone. Today, I am sharing two short audio excerpts. I would love to know if you have a preference for the beginning.
On May 21st at 7 pm, I’m honored to speak at a library founded by Jessie “Kit” Carson, the heroine of MISS MORGAN’S BOOK BRIGADE. In 1918, at the end of the Great War, Kit brought the concept of children’s libraries to France and revolutionized French libraries. Fresh flowers on the table and windows for natural lighting are elements we take for granted today, but in early libraries in France, there were no open stacks, and patrons were invited to stand behind a railing while a tired bureaucrat looked for a requested book. The Bibliothèque Jacqueline Dreyfus-Weill is located in the Belleville neighborhood of Paris. On the occasion of the library’s centennial in 2023, Dad and I got to see the exhibit that the librarians created for this incredible milestone. If you are in Paris, I hope to see you at the talk!
As always, I love talking to book clubs as well as classes. Here I am with award-winning author Anne Marsella and some of her writing students from ESSEC. You can reach me at pariswritingworkshop@yahoo.com.
Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter and for your continued support of my work. It means the world to me.
My best,
Janet
Loved your May Day post and the pictures of Carmel. Just as I remember it. It looks like you had an absolute blast there! Such a pleasure to read all this! xox Anne
Another great newsletter! I do love all the photos too.