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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Je préfère numéro deux.
Je préfère numéro deux.
I like #1
I like #1
Bonjour Kristine! This is the first time posting on your blog, but my french teacher from last year told me you were publishing again! Mme.Watson (my French teacher from last year) gave all of the girls in my class your book for an end-of-the-year I’m-going-to-miss-you-a-lot have-fun-in-high-school gift. She sent you the picture of us with it! To get to the point- I really like the first book cover because to me it screams the beautiful summer France, the rustic-icity (if that’s even a word) of the country side, but the modern-ness (again) of Paris that everyone knows! Bonne chance et au revoir!
Bonjour Kristine! This is the first time posting on your blog, but my french teacher from last year told me you were publishing again! Mme.Watson (my French teacher from last year) gave all of the girls in my class your book for an end-of-the-year I’m-going-to-miss-you-a-lot have-fun-in-high-school gift. She sent you the picture of us with it! To get to the point- I really like the first book cover because to me it screams the beautiful summer France, the rustic-icity (if that’s even a word) of the country side, but the modern-ness (again) of Paris that everyone knows! Bonne chance et au revoir!
number one
number one
#1
HANDS DOWN.
Or thumbs up,
depending upon your perspective!
#1
HANDS DOWN.
Or thumbs up,
depending upon your perspective!
#2 makes you feel like you are there. The others are too busy, cluttered
#2 makes you feel like you are there. The others are too busy, cluttered
Je préfère le n ° 1. Bonne chance et bonne année.
Je préfère le n ° 1. Bonne chance et bonne année.
Je t’aime #2, especially the mystery of the half hidden, half seen man. 🙂
I have been following you for years now and delight in your photos and revelations on life and love (including self-love) and learning.
Be well
Je t’aime #2, especially the mystery of the half hidden, half seen man. 🙂
I have been following you for years now and delight in your photos and revelations on life and love (including self-love) and learning.
Be well
My choice is number 1 — it’s pleasing to the eye and there’s not an excessive amount of detail. I like simplicity, yet warmth and color are important…guess I’m a minimalist at heart. My home decorating reflects that. Kristin, good luck with the book!! I love your photos and family and friends. You live the good life, and are blessed.
Pat
St. Louis, MO
My choice is number 1 — it’s pleasing to the eye and there’s not an excessive amount of detail. I like simplicity, yet warmth and color are important…guess I’m a minimalist at heart. My home decorating reflects that. Kristin, good luck with the book!! I love your photos and family and friends. You live the good life, and are blessed.
Pat
St. Louis, MO
Thank you for this opportunity to be a part of your life! I line 1 or 4!
Thank you for this opportunity to be a part of your life! I line 1 or 4!
# 1 or #2…the Title sticks out and is easiest to read on these two + I like the photos better.
# 1 or #2…the Title sticks out and is easiest to read on these two + I like the photos better.
Hi Kristin,
Happy New Year!
I vote for number 1. It is the one that caught my interest first! It is the one that I would pick…just judging “by the cover”. Number 2 would work for me, too, if perhaps we had all of the man looking out at us!
I enjoy your blog…thanks for sharing!
Hi Kristin,
Happy New Year!
I vote for number 1. It is the one that caught my interest first! It is the one that I would pick…just judging “by the cover”. Number 2 would work for me, too, if perhaps we had all of the man looking out at us!
I enjoy your blog…thanks for sharing!
#1 — this one feels great to me and i love the writing on the wall too. however, they are all darling.
#1 — this one feels great to me and i love the writing on the wall too. however, they are all darling.
I vote for #1. The chateau in 3-6 just doesn’t seem to fit your wonderful stories!
I vote for #1. The chateau in 3-6 just doesn’t seem to fit your wonderful stories!
la meilleure couverture, a mon opinion: #1
la meilleure couverture, a mon opinion: #1
#3
#3
Clear preference for #2. It is attractive, eye-grabbing, balanced and evocative-and simpler than the others. I agree with Julz’s comments, above. I disagree with Christine’s comment about the man’s face being obscured. I like it. If the man were the author or an individual connected to the author, I might want to see his face. I think if his face were visible, it would focus attention too much on him.
Also, a thought about the subtitle. Not terribly keen on “Trying out Marriage, Writing and France.” Here’s my thought, for what it’s worth: how about “Launching a Life in Marriage, Writing and France”
Clear preference for #2. It is attractive, eye-grabbing, balanced and evocative-and simpler than the others. I agree with Julz’s comments, above. I disagree with Christine’s comment about the man’s face being obscured. I like it. If the man were the author or an individual connected to the author, I might want to see his face. I think if his face were visible, it would focus attention too much on him.
Also, a thought about the subtitle. Not terribly keen on “Trying out Marriage, Writing and France.” Here’s my thought, for what it’s worth: how about “Launching a Life in Marriage, Writing and France”
Kristin,
I like #1 best…with the bike and flowers, it’s so charming 🙂
Sandy
Kristin,
I like #1 best…with the bike and flowers, it’s so charming 🙂
Sandy
I like #1 a lot, except the title isn’t prominent enough. I didn’t care that much for #3 at first, but if they were to be taken ‘as is’, without any changes, I think I would go with that.
I do like how #3 and #4 set apart the word, ‘Essais’, but the photo of the sheep makes me think more of England at first glance. Better combined with other photos as in #3.
But if you could have a more distinct title merged into #1 without overwhelming it, that is a lovely picture.
I like #1 a lot, except the title isn’t prominent enough. I didn’t care that much for #3 at first, but if they were to be taken ‘as is’, without any changes, I think I would go with that.
I do like how #3 and #4 set apart the word, ‘Essais’, but the photo of the sheep makes me think more of England at first glance. Better combined with other photos as in #3.
But if you could have a more distinct title merged into #1 without overwhelming it, that is a lovely picture.
Number 1 or 4. Wording is too obscured in others
Number 1 or 4. Wording is too obscured in others
Number one or two. I would omit the subtitle.
Number one or two. I would omit the subtitle.
#1 ou #2. I look forward to seeing the civet and reading the essais. Bonne année!!!
#1 ou #2. I look forward to seeing the civet and reading the essais. Bonne année!!!
#2 is my favorite… and #4 & #6 are tied for 2nd :).
#2 is my favorite… and #4 & #6 are tied for 2nd :).
I love #1!!!
I love #1!!!
I like #1 best – no hesitation.
I like #1 best – no hesitation.