"Blossoming in Provence Volume Two?"…. Would this photo work for the next story collection? The title could be written across the blue sky… the picture, bordered by a green cover? Your thoughts here, in the comments box.
ribambelle (une ribambelle de…)
1. a swarm, flock of (bees, birds…)
2. a string of (kids…)
3. a row of; stacks of (chairs…)
Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc Download MP3 or Wav file
Autour de la table et sous le mûrier, il y avait une ribambelle de chaises de differentes tailles et couleurs. Around the table and under the mulberry tree, there was a row of chairs of different sizes and colors.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
Writer's block continues and it isn't a matter of not having a story to tell. There is a pervading dullness that creeps in each time I begin typing. Doubts begin to mount, weighing down what began as determination. Any stick-to-it-iveness… up and splits… and there's nothing left to do but to but to give up or go through.
I've been going through the 2006 story archives after realizing that a few stories were left out of Blossoming in Provence. My plan is to publish a second volume, or companion, to the BIP book… never mind that it might be a better idea to do a collection of vineyard stories (from 2007-8) or even a collection of recent stories (2009-2011), ones that might be more "mature" than the earlier vignettes?
Then again I have been reading your suggestions for a coffee table book of "best photos". I like the idea but do not currently have a good "publishing solution" (read: house publisher!) for this kind of project (the self-publishing software that I am using does not include a good template for a photos-only book).
What with the blocks and the doubts you'd think the universe was sending some kind of big hint… such as: why not go out and play in the garden instead? Or what about a Sunday drive… on Monday? or even a ditch day???
It certainly could be argued that books are made of whys and whatabouts… but they are also made of hours and hours of turnout.
Back to work, now, on two more stories for this current collection. Want to join me? Get out your red pen! Here are the next two chapters:
"Poursuivre": our puppy Braise is pursued by a big bad bistro chair! Click here to proofread this story.
"Toile": Françoise, the art store owner (you may remember reading this rerun, a month or so ago… to begin proofreading, click here.
… and many thanks to those who sent in edits for the story "Tremper"… including the suggestion to leave this one out of the collection. Anyone else think this one should go? Or can we keep this account of an arts-n-craft-challenged maman?
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Between this photo and the one at the top of this letter, which do you prefer for a book-cover image? There are three more photos (at the end of Friday's post) to compare with these. Thanks for letting me know your favorite, here in the comments.
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Definitely the roses. Lavender has been done to death for pics of France. The second photo is gorgeous.
Hi Kristin, Re your developing a photo-only book, try the free software named “Blurb”. You will have complete control of the entire book and can have photos only or photos with a simple text title for the photo, or as you wish, even pages with text blocks and photos, etc. Your photos are a highlight of your blog. Best wishes, Paul Burkholder, Rockford, Il
May 8 vin degustation reservation!! Hello Kristin from California! We are visiting friends in Aix and would like to sign up for the 4:00 May 8 wine tasting — we will bring our French friends – There will be four of us all together. Look forward to meeting you after following you all these years! Pamela
Hi Kristin: Hang in there! I am sure that inspiration will strike again! I always enjoy your snippets of life describing your beautiful corner of the world. As far as the pictures go, the roses or the sunflowers get my vote. The lavender is lovely, but there is just something extra special about the ambiance of the rose and sunflower pictures. More natural and comfortable! Thank-you for sharing your life with all of us, and letting us join with you in the venture!
You couldn’t have chosen a better picture to illustrate the area as we all associate lavender fields with Provence.
Please follow the sage advice of Mom Jules. . . no surprise there. . . She, more than any of your other devotees, (and there are throngs of us 😉 knows your true heart. Though beautiful and touching, we catch only the glimpse you choose to reveal. Sometimes the mountain becomes a means to climb and attain new heights. May you always look upward. . .
Hi Kristin,
First of all, I love your mom. You should listen to her. I’ll be interested in the photos she recommends, even though I thought your first choice was beautiful and I think the blurry foreground is rather artsy. On another note, do you know when you will have “meet ups” in June?
The lavender is awesome. I vote for the first photo.
LAVENDER
I like the photo at the end of the post best, the one with different colors of flowers, and looking upward toward the triangular end of a roof.
Whatever you decide on for content, please don’t lose sight of what I consider to be the “original” or “basic” type of story: the ones such as those in “Words in a French Life,” or the mostly summer stories (with attractive photos) from 2009. The “French” element matters, at least to me.
I love this photo!!! I’ll be in Provence for a bike tour the first of June…will the lavendar be in bloom then?
I can’t wait to see it! I would make a lovely cover for your book.
I love the one from last Friday … the first one of the village….
but I do think you and your family should make this
decision yourselves…… that will be the best one-
coming from YOUR OWN HEARTS !!!
Hi Kristin – of the photos you’ve suggested I would lean towards the lavender – but ideally it would need retaking, if you can wait another few months!! The proportions are wrong – cut through the middle. I would have slightly more sky and, as many others point out, I think the immediate foreground needs to be in focus. Keep putting up more suggestions – I’m sure there’s something from your collection which would shout out to be used 🙂
I like the Lavender photo! 🙂
Chere Kristen
J’adore lavandre et cette photo! Was also thinking of white lettering..but can you photoshop the sky to darken it a bit so the white lettering really stands out? (You know…like an arizona sky!)Then I saw the roses picture and it’s beautiful as well.
I agree, you are much too hard on yourself. But honestly I don’t know how you can stand to read all the critiques from those of us that aren’t do-ers ourselves. That would be very discouraging & confusing to me. You are a gifted writer, photographer, daughter, mother and wife and you should GO WITH YOUR GUT!
You mentioned “more mature stories”. I loved your more recent stories about Max wanting to join the French Army (of course I still think he should come here and be a river guide first!). And also about Jackie growing up and tuning you out. I wanted to comment after each of those and never took the time. I identified so much with this difficult time. They can be joyous, sticky, and overwhelming as every day you realize how fast the time is flying by you. Seems to me they turn 12, then they are gone. I cried for 2 years before my daughter graduated….then another year or two after….then it finally got a little easier! She just turned 30. I can conjure up tears in an instant as i remember what she wore when we finally had to walk away, leaving her at college in Portland Oregon. ugh!
Anyway, trust your instincts. We love your stories, your views of Provence, life and your very original idea for sharing the french language with us. Perhaps the writers block is from too many voices in your head?
Salut Kristin,
One more input to add to your confusion. I suggest the picture that you used for the “Randonée” post should be considered. The vineyard scene with the cabanon and Mont Ventoux in the background would make a great cover.
À bientôt
Bonjour, Kristin. I prefer the second picture as it is more subtle and I also find the blur distracting in the first. Do not lose hope in your really fine writing. It’s not good to over-analyze. Press on.
I think the photo of either the roses with the building behind, or the sunflowers, would be the best. Good luck, and the writer’s block will disappear sometime–perhaps it’s telling you that you do need a break!
Kristin, I had my pro-lavender comment all ready to go, then read the comments already posted and one thing stood out:
Passante wrote:
“What about an image that says “blossoming” in a more subtle way. I know you have some lovely shots of flowers in unexpected places.”
Something to think about! (use lavender!)
I love it- please use it!
Dave Kapsiak
It is hard for me to pick just one. I love so many of your photo’s. I too would love a photo book.
Re-read the stories, didn’t fine mistakes either. Love reading them again and again.
xoxo
Kristan, I love your writing and am currently
enjoying your first book. 🙂
I prefer (as it appears most of these people also do) the lavender photo, BY FAR. This
business about the foreground ‘blur’ I really
hadn’t noticed, but once pointed out (many times), I would go with the SIMPLE SOLUTION of
cropping the bottom. Keep everything as is, but crop off the “questionable” blurred bottom! It’s strong and stunning and colorful
Tu as un coeur très doux,honnête, et sensible.
J’aime aussi ton goût pour l’humour.
Addendum: Kristin: Pardon moi! I misspelled your name. Also, wanted to add (re: the suggestion to crop the lavender), I would only
remove the very bottom so as to leave a good ‘chunk’ of the purple lavender. Some will remain out of focus (just fewer), and the effect is nice, I think!
So enjoyed the tales and the gorgeous photos. My fave is of the roses clambering up the old walls.
Hugs from VA – but soon to be in France!
Anne