Bonne Année! Have a New Year's goal? Mine is to be more concise in my writing. I'll practice today by getting straight to the point (er… just after today's word and our sponsor's message!):
aller droit au but (ah-lay-dwat-oh-bewt)
: to get straight to the point
Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc: Download MP3 or Wav file
En écriture, comme en conversation, il faut aller droit au but.
In writing, as in conversation, one must go straight to the point.
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
Good news to start off the new year: A long-lost book project will soon see the light of day! After resurrecting an old manuscript, and dusting off the thick layer of doubt covering it, I spent last fall editing the volume.
I need your help now to choose a cover for this next collection of short stories titled "First French Essais." To guide you in picking the right cover, here's a brief description of the book:
As the title suggests, this memoir is made up of the "first" stories that appeared in this blog. And the French word "essais" in the title hints at "first attempts" at writing and at French life. This meaningful "writing/French life" combination is kicked up a notch in the subtitle, which reads: "Trying out Writing, Marriage, and France." (Not to be nonchalant about marriage! No, marriage is not something to try out! That's not at all what I mean to imply…)
As you can see I need your help! First things first: the book cover. Let's focus on that (we can work on the marriage later. (Whoops, there I go again! That's not what I meant to imply!)
* * *
Vote Here!
To vote on a book cover pictured at the top of this post, simply leave a message here in the comments box. There are 6 contestants–see their numbers to the bottom right of each photo. Let me know which is the most attractive! Click here to jot down your choice. Many thanks in advance!
Special thanks to the book angels over at TLC Graphics who designed this round of covers! Thanks Tamara Dever, for the covers, and thank you, Erin Stark, for creating another easy-on-the-eyes interior. I love your work! (Speaking of work, I've given you extra, Erin, as this book will be filled will full color photos and captions designed to grow the readers vocabulary even more!)
Once again, Bonne Année! May you continue to grow like this French beauty: branching out and unfurling, tickling the surface of the earth with your traveling feet.
New to this blog? Download the ebook or paperback and learn much more than French vocabulary–get to know the heart of this foreign culture. Click here.
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1 is my choice
1 is my choice
Hi Kristin,
Hope it is not too late to vote. I like 1, 5, and 3 in that order. I think 1 and 5 catches the eye best.
Good luck,
Sharon
Hi Kristin,
Hope it is not too late to vote. I like 1, 5, and 3 in that order. I think 1 and 5 catches the eye best.
Good luck,
Sharon
Hi Kristin. My favourite is number 1, followed by number 5. I think having the word “essais” either in a different font as someone earlier mentioned or in quotes distinguishes it as it is a French word amongst English ones.
Hi Kristin. My favourite is number 1, followed by number 5. I think having the word “essais” either in a different font as someone earlier mentioned or in quotes distinguishes it as it is a French word amongst English ones.
J’aime beaucoup 2!
J’aime beaucoup 2!
i like #2
i like #2
I like #1 and #2 best. At first glance, the other 4 look to be travel guides. I love the idea of the book. I agree with the comment that it is confusing to include a French word, Essais, in an English sentence. Why not just use Essays? or maybe rework the title completely. It’s the first thing a potential reader/buyer sees!
I like #1 and #2 best. At first glance, the other 4 look to be travel guides. I love the idea of the book. I agree with the comment that it is confusing to include a French word, Essais, in an English sentence. Why not just use Essays? or maybe rework the title completely. It’s the first thing a potential reader/buyer sees!
Another vote for #1. Very best wishes for 2014.
Another vote for #1. Very best wishes for 2014.
Numero deux pour moi.
Numero deux pour moi.
j’aime #1.
j’aime #1.
Toss up for me between #1 and #2. Both are delightful.
Toss up for me between #1 and #2. Both are delightful.
Kristin,
I prefer #1 but my second choice is #2.
Kristin,
I prefer #1 but my second choice is #2.
I love 2 the most and 1 as runner up.
I love 2 the most and 1 as runner up.
1
1
Bonsoir Kristen,je faire un tour de velo en Provence en Octobre,C’est tres magnifique.Alors I choose photo number 2 as it reveals the current France we all love to aspire.Continued success avec votre French word a day,cordialement H
Bonsoir Kristen,je faire un tour de velo en Provence en Octobre,C’est tres magnifique.Alors I choose photo number 2 as it reveals the current France we all love to aspire.Continued success avec votre French word a day,cordialement H
#2 is my favorite. I think of France and the French.
#2 is my favorite. I think of France and the French.
Oops, maybe too late to vote. If not: I love 1 and 2 equally, impossible to choose. GREAT photos. The sheep one is a fun picture, but it lacks the intimacy of the first two.
Felicitations on the new book!!
Oops, maybe too late to vote. If not: I love 1 and 2 equally, impossible to choose. GREAT photos. The sheep one is a fun picture, but it lacks the intimacy of the first two.
Felicitations on the new book!!
PS Christine, there is another way to look at photo #2. The fact that you don’t see the man’s face is exactly what attracts me to that photo. First of all it’s unexpected, so it grabbed my attention; second, it makes me want to know more—that is, to open the book. Which is the whole point of a good book cover!
PS Christine, there is another way to look at photo #2. The fact that you don’t see the man’s face is exactly what attracts me to that photo. First of all it’s unexpected, so it grabbed my attention; second, it makes me want to know more—that is, to open the book. Which is the whole point of a good book cover!
Je préfère numéro un!
I love the subtitle on the second building… it’s a cool visual and intellectual surprise. Do change the color if your name so it is more apparent.
Bonne Chance!
Je préfère numéro un!
I love the subtitle on the second building… it’s a cool visual and intellectual surprise. Do change the color if your name so it is more apparent.
Bonne Chance!
Number 1. Love the photo. I wish the title wouldn’t be at a slant. It makes it less easy to read.
Number 1. Love the photo. I wish the title wouldn’t be at a slant. It makes it less easy to read.
Bonjour, Kristin! I select #1 … love the lay out … and the flowers on the fence ….
Best wishes,
Gabrielle
Bonjour, Kristin! I select #1 … love the lay out … and the flowers on the fence ….
Best wishes,
Gabrielle
Picture #1 gives the impression the book name actually came from the side of the building in the background … kind of a ‘hook’ to peek inside.
As always, many thanks for your continued insight to Charlotte’s [my wife of 46+] and my favorite country to visit.
Picture #1 gives the impression the book name actually came from the side of the building in the background … kind of a ‘hook’ to peek inside.
As always, many thanks for your continued insight to Charlotte’s [my wife of 46+] and my favorite country to visit.
Hi Kristin: My definite favorite is No. 2 as well — very French, without being overly romanticized. Good luck . . . and you’re a brave girl to ask for our preferences!
Hi Kristin: My definite favorite is No. 2 as well — very French, without being overly romanticized. Good luck . . . and you’re a brave girl to ask for our preferences!
I’m torn between #2 and #5.
I’m torn between #2 and #5.
After reading all these comments and opinions and adding my own, I wonder what you think, Kristin. Which cover reveals what is in the heart and soul of the book?
Whichever you choose, please do it soon. So many of us cannot wait to read this next book!
After reading all these comments and opinions and adding my own, I wonder what you think, Kristin. Which cover reveals what is in the heart and soul of the book?
Whichever you choose, please do it soon. So many of us cannot wait to read this next book!
# 2
# 2