"Pink Corners". Photo of a child's vélo and a bougainvillea taken in Ventimiglia, Italy.
couler (koo-lay) verb
: to flow, run
Audio file: Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce these expressions: Download MP3 or Wav file
faire couler un bain = to run a bath
couler un mot à l'oreille de quelqu'un = to drop, whisper a word in someone's ear
couler une vie heureuse = to lead a happy life
se la couler douce = to take things easy, to have a good time
ça coule de source = it's obvious, it follows naturally
faire couler de la salive = to set tongues wagging, to get people gossiping
Easy French Step-by-Step: excellent reference book for building grammar, comprehension and speaking skills. Order here.
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
It began with Wednesday's post and today's is the same misère. I am having un tout mini—or slight—case of "bloggers block" and rather than continue suffering so many false starts (how many times have I rewritten this opening paragraph?) I'm going to just come clean and admit it: les mots ne coulent pas ce matin!
This is as good a time as any to begin editing another collection of short stories. The previous self-published book has sold 2,084 copies in the four months since it came out. The house published book, edited by Simon & Schuster, has sold somewhere around 40,000 copies since it reached bookstores in 2006. That second sales figure is modest, by house publishing standards (and one reason my offer for a "volume two" didn't convince the The Big Guys).
That's when I went back to Little Guy publishing, last November. Self-publishing may lack the perks and glamour of House publishing, but one can always balance that… by wearing a feather boa, seductive red lipstick, and an attitude! I might do well to follow my own advice… and ditch these homely pantoufles….
Unlike the house published book, the self-published edition is not available yet in Kindle (or Nook). This would be a relatively easy process… only I have not found (or taken?) the time to do it.
For this new project I have ruled out the highly ambitious "21 days or bust!" editorial calender (quelle idée c'était!). Six weeks seems to be a reasonable amount of time in which to gather and edit the nouvelles, which appeared in the 2006 editions of this French Word-A-Day journal.
As with the previous project, I am inviting you to participate! You will find links to the stories in upcoming posts. Please feel free to jump in with corrections. You do not need to be a grammarian or an editor to help catch the occasional coquille that pops up in these stories. A light read-through is all that is needed. If, in the reading, something seems unclear–or you find an extra virgule here or there, simply point it out in the comments box to the story in question. Here, for example is the first story in question….
Signing off now with wishes for a lovely weekend.
Amicalement,
Kristin
Comments Corner
To respond to this letter, click here. Thanks for taking the time!
French Vocabulary
la misère = misery
un tout mini = a slight
les mots ne coulent pas ce matin! = the words aren't flowing this morning!
quelle idée c'était! = what an idea that was!
la pantoufle = house slipper
une nouvelle = short story
une coquille = typo
une virgule = comma
amicalement = yours
Le Road Trip tells the story of one idyllic French honeymoon trip, but it is also a witty handbook of tips and advice on how to thrive as a traveler, a captivating visual record with hundreds of watercolor illustrations, and a chronicle depicting the incomparable charms of being footloose in France. Armchair travelers, die-hard vagabonds, art journalists, and red wine drinkers will all find something to savor in this story. Click here for the video and reviews.
Kristin with Kathryn. Mom's friend Kathryn Hill joined us for our latest wine-tasting. The tasting partipants grew to nearly 20… after Jean-Marc and I talked a group of diners into joining our dégustation!
In the center of the photo that is Karen and John Stoeckley. Check out John's art, and their B&B/Winery. To the left of Karen (and two smiles over…) is Marilyn. She and her husband Jim have a beautiful Provence Villa Rental that you may have already noticed here.
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- Learn French in context: read these vocabulary-enriching memoirs: Words in a French Life or Blossoming in Provence
How about a countryside scene (this one, from Châteauneuf-du-Pape) for the next cover? Suggestions here in the comments box.
Or maybe something more detailed… like these cozy bikes (in Orange, France)? Comment here. More "cover photos" to come…
Then again… how can anyone go wrong with sunflowers? Photo taken near Jonquières, in the Vaucluse.
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I vote for the bicycle. ChateauneufDuPape is lovely picture but very busy for a cover. Sunflowers are wonderful but a real cliche. Can’t wait to see next photos.
Hope Gus and Paulette get there soon. We saw each other on 4/15 at airport, me going to HotLanta and them to La Belle France. They were so excited.
Kristin:
Keep the posts and books coming. You give us perspective as we try to adapt to living in France and your writing is a joy.
Best regards,
Randy and Debbie Komisarek
Kristin, it really is time to get serious about that coffee table book of pictures!
What a small world! Kathryn Hill is a friend of mine here in Freiburg. She will be visiting here shortly. My friend mentioned that Kathryn was first visiting the daughter of a friend from Mexico at her winery in France and my detective ears pricked up! Salut!
Warm regards from Maureen
PS this post didn’t appear in my emails on Friday
Hello dear Kristin!
I immediately was drawn to the first pic of the countryside….
they are all lovely shots but the first gets my vote by far. I
especially like how it has more depth with the countryside
rising up in the distance, perfect!
Salut ! Lorna
Hello Kristin,
Your words and your photos are stupendous! But none of these three photos are right for your cover. You have too many fantastic photos to choose from. I’m with the prior comment, a Coffee Table Book of photos should be coming up soon. It would be a nice change and would highlight your work so well. Could you include a brief “French Word-A-Day” story with each photo?
It’s the Chateauneuf-du-pape photo for me: absolutely fabulous!
Julia Hamel, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
Chateauneuf-du-Pape definitely!
I am drawn to the picture of the sunflowers. It is how I think of you sitting in a field of sunflowers,painting all your beautiful words.
Also there is something so other-worldly about the scene.
I as believe you should do a coffee table book, just photos, they speak as loud as your words.
Hi,
Go with the flowers. I love the picture and i’m sure it has a great story. I just returned from your lovely country and have so many pictures. OMG!!
Enjoy yourself and take your time.
Love idea of another book to look forward to! My vote is countryside..
Chateau Neuf du Pape!
I also share another reader’s love for the idea of colored photographs..maybe If not now, then in the future..so many beautiful scenes to be captured in color!
Good luck!
I’ll be prayIng for clear direction for you and joy in the process!
Châteauneuf-du-Pape please! I liked the “pink corners” picture the best, but I guess it’s not in the running…
Hi Kristin,
I’m looking forward to your next collection of stories. I’ve purchased every book you’ve published and would love to add another to the special shelf in my library reserved just for your musings.
Although all of your photos are lovely, I’m partial to the picture of the bicycles. In part, because the business card you inserted in the first book I purchased from you had a picture of a bike similar to those in your photo. I also think it is a less typical representation of Provence/France.
That’s my two cents!
Bonnee journee,
Catie
Kristin,
I prefer either of the top two photos on this page, depending on the format of the cover photo, whether square or rectangular. I don’t don’t think just pretty flowers says France. I would prefer the scenic rectangular photo on this page or the shot of the two bikes. The most recent shot on your blog of the purple flowers is not in focus in the foreground. That’s distracting.
I still like the first one here best.
Bonjour Kristin:
When I lived in Southern France I rented a true mas provencal…and outside the front door were these beautiful sunflowers which so symbolize the flowers of Provence. The Chateauneuf du Pape is also gorgeous because one see that fabulous blue sky and the colors of Provence. Either of these would be lovely.
Amities, Janine
I’m new to your blog, but I absolutely LOVE it. My vote for your book cover is the sunflowers as they are so representative of French countryside. All the other photos are excellent as well, but I think the sunflower theme would be in stark contrast with your first book cover (which is delicious).
Hi! What a great idea for a blog. It’s wonderful. Found you via Daly Basics.
I vote for Chateauneuf-du-Pape mainly because I have been there and it’s so beautiful – with all the limestone buildings and the wineries…just lovely. Wish I could return soon. Love all the cities and towns in Provence.
Congrats on your books and blog – very jealous of how many comments and vistors you have.
Cheers,
Linda
Bonjour Kristen,
I think the picture of the bicycles is great and gets my vote. There are so many books with scenic pictures of flowers of Provence. I think the bicycle picture would set it apart from the others. Looking forward to reading the new book.
Amities,
Cynthia