Ride on! I mean, write on… difficulties, barriers, discouragement, and all. More, in today's story column, below. (Picture of our daughter, Jackie)
une embûche (ahm-bewsh)
: pitfall, obstacle; difficulty; piège, or trap set for someone
Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc pronounce today's word and the following examples: Download MP3 or Wav file
semer d'embûches = to load/fill with obstacles/challenges
une question pleine d'embûches = a loaded question
A chaque chemin ses embûches, chaque humain un jour trébuche. Each road has its pitfalls, every human, his a day of faltering. —Daniel DesbiensIn Books:
- The Little Paris Kitchen: 120 Simple But Classic French Recipes. Click here.
- Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting. Click here to read the reviews
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
One Page at a Time
A broken barrier is just one of the rewards that have come out of this decision to write my personal narrative. I have come across many obstacles on this writing path, but perhaps the biggest one has to do with my method of churning out a story.
Though the particular writing technique I use also happens to be the secret to my productivity, it is, ironically, the very reason I stay stuck, unable to create more than a vignette, an anecdote, or an essay….
You see, for ten years I have practiced writing before a blog audience. In this very post, the one you are now reading—very likely via email—I taught myself to write. To put it differently, your inbox has been my classroom and you have been the attentive, if accidental, teacher.
My compositions are read le jour J, that is, the very day the story is written, most often in the hours that follow publication. The moment I hit "publish", it's too late to go back. The story is on its way through cyberspace, soon to arrive in your inbox. No way to reach into your Gmail or Yahoo or AOL account and add the needed comma or the missing modifier—not that I know what one of those is. I'm still learning–grammar, punctuation, precision and, lately how to be a relaxed writer. ("Free write!" you say, and I am reminded, among other things, to let loose!)
The growing pressure to say what I have to say by the lurking deadline is just the ticket I need to eke out (BTW, you taught me to spell it eke, and not eek) another story. It is thanks to you, the reader, that I am able to quickly narrow down a topic and set to writing about it. As I write, I edit and fine-tune, aware that the clock is ticking, this story–in whatever state it finds itself–will soon go out to a live audience. Are the words clear enough? Have I said all I meant to say? Will you still like me after this latest installment? Am I supposed to care? How could I not care?!…
This brings me to the "tell-all" memoir I mentioned last week. After reading your emails and letters, I have decided to write the first draft of the book "off blog", in private. And here is where I am confronted with my biggest writing barrier: after writing for an audience, can I write for myself? Won't I fall off the wagon?
Without you, to report to, could I churn out more that a few paragraphs without a "live" deadline? Would a self-imposed deadline be enough? Would I respect it? Would I take it seriously, feel the pressure innately?
All one can do is try. I began trying this week, to break down that barrier that I had put up when I told myself I can only write under these specific conditions–and no other!
And now for the good news…. Alone in my writing nook, I have completed the final two parts of chapter one!
Though I have finished the first draft of chapter 1, all 15 pages, the rest of the narrative looms ahead of me. Last night I had a "will never realize this dream of memoir-writing, what was I thinking" moment. The future is riddled with doubt, and if I focus beyond the current "page", I will never make it.
Or, as my very loving sponsor reminds me, "You will make it, Darling Heart, you will—one day at a time.
Any kind of buzzer could be used to signal a deadline. For today's writing deadline, I'm using these cowbells! Ring-a-ling-ling! Time is up now… this edition is going out…
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Kristin,
Like Eilleen in Charlotteville, VA I wonder if trying to do both blog (I thought originally promoted to share the life of an American girl living in France by offering a French Word-A-Day) AND write a memoir using the original audience is fare to the followers of whom you captured to perpetuate their knowledge of French.
I do empathize with your quest to gain momentum to go forth with your book, I have been writting my own memoir for years now myself, but I have remained dedicated to your blog all these years in hopes of perpetuating my knowledge of French. Maybe you should have two differnet blogs since you seem to need an audience of emotional supporters as well as French enthusiasts.
Best of luck at your point of cross roads.
Beverly in Charleston, SC
Kristin,
Like Eilleen in Charlotteville, VA I wonder if trying to do both blog (I thought originally promoted to share the life of an American girl living in France by offering a French Word-A-Day) AND write a memoir using the original audience is fare to the followers of whom you captured to perpetuate their knowledge of French.
I do empathize with your quest to gain momentum to go forth with your book, I have been writting my own memoir for years now myself, but I have remained dedicated to your blog all these years in hopes of perpetuating my knowledge of French. Maybe you should have two differnet blogs since you seem to need an audience of emotional supporters as well as French enthusiasts.
Best of luck at your point of cross roads.
Beverly in Charleston, SC
Perhaps if you created an outline of what you want to include, then do one portion of the outline each day or each week — whatever works for you. The outline most likely will segue easily into chapters.
Then once you have a rough draft finished you can go back, chapter by chapter and self edit…
Aside from the outline, don’t look past each segment or it can quickly feel overwhelming.
The best of luck.
Perhaps if you created an outline of what you want to include, then do one portion of the outline each day or each week — whatever works for you. The outline most likely will segue easily into chapters.
Then once you have a rough draft finished you can go back, chapter by chapter and self edit…
Aside from the outline, don’t look past each segment or it can quickly feel overwhelming.
The best of luck.
My two cents on Beverly in Charleston idea on “having two different blogs”:
Maybe, it is still possible for Kristin to keep ONE blog, where she could keep gracefully “skipping” through those mentioned earlier “lavender fields”, meanwhile giving us LOTS of French words and expressions, and maybe even videos on occasion? And then, at the same time, in some other editions of her blog, being able to wander through those more demanding spiritual trails, just as her souls desires, and yet STILL give us a LOT of French words and expressions?
The trick is helping everyone feel included and comfortable. ..and perhaps no matter what still feel united by our desire to learn a thing or two about French language or life.
My two cents on Beverly in Charleston idea on “having two different blogs”:
Maybe, it is still possible for Kristin to keep ONE blog, where she could keep gracefully “skipping” through those mentioned earlier “lavender fields”, meanwhile giving us LOTS of French words and expressions, and maybe even videos on occasion? And then, at the same time, in some other editions of her blog, being able to wander through those more demanding spiritual trails, just as her souls desires, and yet STILL give us a LOT of French words and expressions?
The trick is helping everyone feel included and comfortable. ..and perhaps no matter what still feel united by our desire to learn a thing or two about French language or life.
Kristin, You know you make your own goals and deadlines–how blessed you are! So just go for it. No need to stress since you are your own boss. We all think you are doing a marvelous job on this blog which we adore. We know you’ll do a marvelous job with your memoir. Just remember–little by little the nest was made. Just keep at it. And you can always go over and read my blog for some encouragement along the way. 🙂 One step at a time. Blessings! http://www.writemomentswithgod.blogspot.com
Kristin, You know you make your own goals and deadlines–how blessed you are! So just go for it. No need to stress since you are your own boss. We all think you are doing a marvelous job on this blog which we adore. We know you’ll do a marvelous job with your memoir. Just remember–little by little the nest was made. Just keep at it. And you can always go over and read my blog for some encouragement along the way. 🙂 One step at a time. Blessings! http://www.writemomentswithgod.blogspot.com
Kristi,
I don’t have time to read all the comments (busy day) so forgive me if someone already suggested this. From reading th eauthors’ credits part of their books, it seems like they all had someone “to write to” as they wrote their books. Why don’t you select a few of your close friends to read your chapters and be your critics in the ongoing process of writing your memoir? Seems like every author does this. It would also give you an ongoing deadline.
Just a thought. Soldier on, and good luck. And of course, kisses to the puppydogs.
Kristi,
I don’t have time to read all the comments (busy day) so forgive me if someone already suggested this. From reading th eauthors’ credits part of their books, it seems like they all had someone “to write to” as they wrote their books. Why don’t you select a few of your close friends to read your chapters and be your critics in the ongoing process of writing your memoir? Seems like every author does this. It would also give you an ongoing deadline.
Just a thought. Soldier on, and good luck. And of course, kisses to the puppydogs.