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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I prefer number 2. Most interesting photo which would catch my eye on the shop bookshelf. Can’t wait to read.
I prefer number 2. Most interesting photo which would catch my eye on the shop bookshelf. Can’t wait to read.
Hi Kristin,
my favourit is number 2. May second option is number 6.
Kind regards
Ulrike L.
Hi Kristin,
my favourit is number 2. May second option is number 6.
Kind regards
Ulrike L.
#2 would make a great textbook cover, although the subtitle font is a little off.
#2 would make a great textbook cover, although the subtitle font is a little off.
#2 and #4
#2 and #4
KRISTIN,
I WALKED DOWN THAT STREET. AT THE END I EXHALED AND A PEACEFUL FEELING MADE ME SAY “I AM HERE” DEFINAITELY NUMBER ONE !
KRISTIN,
I WALKED DOWN THAT STREET. AT THE END I EXHALED AND A PEACEFUL FEELING MADE ME SAY “I AM HERE” DEFINAITELY NUMBER ONE !
I like n1 the best. It shows the close and casual atmosphere that is in your writing. I agree with italicizing ‘essais’. No 2 would be good if the man were fully shown. 3 is eclectic and fussy. The bottom row all look like textbooks: they do not draw me in at all. So the first is the best.
I like n1 the best. It shows the close and casual atmosphere that is in your writing. I agree with italicizing ‘essais’. No 2 would be good if the man were fully shown. 3 is eclectic and fussy. The bottom row all look like textbooks: they do not draw me in at all. So the first is the best.
#2 is the best, #1 is second best
#2 is the best, #1 is second best
I like #1 the best – it is warm, friendly, and attractive – makes me want to move in and stay.
A second choice is #2 – looks like a photo taken by someone who wants to remember the area they visited.
The others, while quite nice, fit more as covers for travel booklets.
Thanks so much for you blog and for sharing your thought.
Bonne Annee, Jacqueline
I like #1 the best – it is warm, friendly, and attractive – makes me want to move in and stay.
A second choice is #2 – looks like a photo taken by someone who wants to remember the area they visited.
The others, while quite nice, fit more as covers for travel booklets.
Thanks so much for you blog and for sharing your thought.
Bonne Annee, Jacqueline
Hi Kristine
I like 2, it’s the French navy blue that stands out. The others seem a bit busy or sombre. Sheep are cute, but so grey.
Tricia xx
Hi Kristine
I like 2, it’s the French navy blue that stands out. The others seem a bit busy or sombre. Sheep are cute, but so grey.
Tricia xx
Cover no. 2 seems to capture the French ‘essence’ to me and has the most pleasing contrast in colour to my eye. Cover no. 1 is pretty but too similar to ‘Blossoming in Provence’ and seems a bit twee for this title.
Cover no. 2 seems to capture the French ‘essence’ to me and has the most pleasing contrast in colour to my eye. Cover no. 1 is pretty but too similar to ‘Blossoming in Provence’ and seems a bit twee for this title.
#1 or #4
#1 or #4
#1 hands down!
#1 hands down!
My choice would be numbers 1 or 2, Kristin. The designs just seem the best. Somehow the others just don’t appeal.
My choice would be numbers 1 or 2, Kristin. The designs just seem the best. Somehow the others just don’t appeal.
La première couverture est ma favorite. Je préfère le titre sur l’immeuble.
Bonne continuation à vous…
La première couverture est ma favorite. Je préfère le titre sur l’immeuble.
Bonne continuation à vous…
I like #4 best but then anything with animals appeals to me. Also, #3 is a little busy. My second choice is #1 because it looks less like a tour guide a nd more like a story about France.
I like #4 best but then anything with animals appeals to me. Also, #3 is a little busy. My second choice is #1 because it looks less like a tour guide a nd more like a story about France.
Bonne Annee tout le monde! Number 1 gets my vote!
Bonne Annee tout le monde! Number 1 gets my vote!
I prefer no. 1. It conveys a warm, French, welcoming theme. Congrats on your latest project
I prefer no. 1. It conveys a warm, French, welcoming theme. Congrats on your latest project
Hi. Like the graphic designer, I’d vote for #4. The wide open blue space drew me in. It has a peaceful, aesthetic feel, reinforced by the pastoral sheep. The other covers are busy and the title is somewhat difficult to read.
Hi. Like the graphic designer, I’d vote for #4. The wide open blue space drew me in. It has a peaceful, aesthetic feel, reinforced by the pastoral sheep. The other covers are busy and the title is somewhat difficult to read.
I like number 1. Number 2 is my second choice.
I like number 1. Number 2 is my second choice.
#1. I love that photo along with the title on the wall.
#1. I love that photo along with the title on the wall.
number 4 is my choice..looks like a novel where others remind me of cookbooks or study guides at a glance..love your blog..keep on keeping on
number 4 is my choice..looks like a novel where others remind me of cookbooks or study guides at a glance..love your blog..keep on keeping on
I like #1 followed by # 2. #2 would have been more inviting if we could see more of the man seated. Too many sheep in #4,5&6 .
Just my 2cents:).
Bonne Annee!
I like #1 followed by # 2. #2 would have been more inviting if we could see more of the man seated. Too many sheep in #4,5&6 .
Just my 2cents:).
Bonne Annee!
#1 or #2 are well balanced design wise and the photos used seem more intimately french whereas the other photos remind me of a ‘touristy’ type photo.
#3 is too busy looking.
5 & 6 have too heavy of a title box, looks unbalanced graphically.
just my nickels worth of commentary. 🙂
ricki
#1 or #2 are well balanced design wise and the photos used seem more intimately french whereas the other photos remind me of a ‘touristy’ type photo.
#3 is too busy looking.
5 & 6 have too heavy of a title box, looks unbalanced graphically.
just my nickels worth of commentary. 🙂
ricki
I love #4! Vive les moutons!
Priscilla
I love #4! Vive les moutons!
Priscilla
Heureuse année!
J’aime le mumero 1.
J’attende avec impatience la naissance
de votre nouvelle oeuvre.
Felicitations!!
Heureuse année!
J’aime le mumero 1.
J’attende avec impatience la naissance
de votre nouvelle oeuvre.
Felicitations!!