Want another one?

I just finished reading the book Lunch in Paris, by Elizabeth Bard. I wouldn't say it was the best written book I've ever read but I didn't put it down and finished it in two days. I was saying in one of my earlier postings that I have become obsessed with books in this genre, that being woman moves to France, mostly Paris, and recalls story of love, loss, overcoming personal challenges all the while falling in love with the city of light. Oh there have been so many books written like this it almost surprises me when I come across another one. This one was published by Harper Collins and is fairly recent, so it would have been after the famous Almost French. I wonder if Ms Bard read Ms Turnbull's novel and thought,"gee, I can publish a book too!"

I shouldn't be so critical because the truth is that these books have totally touched me, perhaps because it is so close to heart for me, or perhaps because I keep thinking, "Mel, you could write one of these books, surely it could be published too."

I read the latest one ferociously as I soaked up the Springtime sunshine, it felt so good to have the rays on my body,and I guess it felt good too to listen to Liz's voice. (I now feel like Liz is a good friend of mine, like I've spent years getting to know her. I often wonder if this blog does just that too? Wishful thinking?)

American girl moves away from her family, ok I'm Australian, but we both grew up in Jewish families, both planned our weddings from France (yes, this will definitely come up in a later blog!) and both love to talk and write about food and cooking and recipes. Quite a few things spoke to me in Lunch in Paris, one of the things that stood out the most though was the experience of making friends in a foreign country. Liz made me laugh as she joked about being "set up" and going on blind dates with other girls as a way of making friends. It's funny but so true. Since I've been in France, I have had to do the friendship thing too, and it's hard. At times it feels a little artificial and you feel as though you are taking things too quickly, cementing a friendship in just hours or days, which in normal life would happen naturally over time. But truly the act of putting yourself out of your comfort zone, leaving behind friends and family and making new acquaintances and some friends for life along the way, is a great lesson in life. I guess only time will tell whether these friends are the making of relationships or just a fling or bad affair.

So, I shouldn't go around bad mouthing Liz Bard or Sarah Turnbull, because their novels are great, and truth be told, maybe I'm a tad jealous. But who knows, maybe Penguin or Allen and Unwin want another one!

Merci,
Mel

Are we too hard on ourselves?

I feel like a total failure of a blogger because it has been weeks since I last put up a posting. One of three things is happening here: either I am completely undisciplined (yes, living in france has done this to me), I am actually just enjoying myself too much (yes, living in france sans work has done this to me), or this is just a very normal part of being a writer. I think this is a case of all three sentiments.

Perhaps the indulgence of French way of life has rubbed off a little bit too much onto me. With no real routine or deadlines, my days and weeks are filled with lots of "me time", lots of "what do you feel like doing today, Mel?" and doing lots of exactly that. Total and utter decadence. But maybe I can't blame the french for this, maybe it is the Australian in me, or maybe it is just me. Spring has come out with a vengeance and with it are now warm afternoons and late sunsets, flowers, birds, and the need to be outside au soleil. Well, that part is definitely the Aussie in me unleashed.

I am writing this now whilst sitting in a deck chair under the late afternoon sun. It is still extremely warm (perhaps around 20 degrees) and a bee is buzzing in the bushes beside me. It feels very french provincial, and I'm completely content. I can't say that I have been feeling particularly french, but my surroundings are, and lets just go with that. I have actually learned to adore the countryside, the quiet and the gentle sounds of birds cooing. Yes,even I am shocked. City girl moves to french countryside and loves it?

I was telling my uncle about how lazy I have been not writing, and he chuckled, most people have had the same reaction. Other writers will understand and be familiar with the feeling of guilt that comes with not putting pen to paper (or as it is now, putting text to the screen). Call it writer's block or just straight lazy-girl-wants-to-enjoy-the-sunshine, but maybe this will signal the end of it. Maybe my act today of trying to get back into it, will get me back on the horse, so to speak. Luckily though, I have actually discovered how to get it all, writing from the deck chair which has has been strategically placed to face directly into the warming sun. Women, brilliant multi-taskers and so damn hard on themselves.

Merci,
Mel