I met Stephen Clarke several years ago when I was an intern at Bayard, a French publishing house. Our novels were both nominated for the Melissa Nathan Award, and we have three publishers in common – Bloomsbury in the US, Record in Brazil, and Sperling & Kupfer in Italy. Lots of coincidences there! All the Parisians I know enjoyed his novel “A Year in the Merde,” and I am looking forward to reading his latest book “1000 Years of Annoying the French.” Here Stephen talks about the challenges of getting published.

What brought you to Paris ?

A plane, I seem to remember. Eurostar hadn’t started up in 1993. But what put me on that plane was British working practices, namely stress people into slogging at evenings at weekends, give them promotions and bonuses but no time to spend them, and keep them on their toes with the constant threat of redundancy. My job working on bilingual dictionaries wasn’t that bad, but I started to feel the rush of wind as the axe swished about over my department’s necks, so I began to look around for a cushier place to work, and the answer was France.

What keeps you in Paris?

My job title now is Englishman in Paris. It’s what I get paid to be. I can’t go back to the UK – there’s a glut of Englishmen there so I’d lose my unique selling point. I also like the chevre chaud (goat’s cheese salad).

What books are on your nightstand?

A Graham Greene “May We Borrow Your Husband” (I love Greene, Orwell, Waugh – writers who tell a great story without bashing you over the head with teir style) and a biography of the Rolling Stones that I found in a charity shop in Edinburgh. I’m more of a Beatles man, but I love Keith Richards – the riffmeister supreme. I used to play in pub bands, and when you kick into Jumping Jack Flash the riff is so dark it sounds as if the devil just walked in the door.

Was “A Year in the Merde” the first novel you wrote? At what point did you decide to self-publish it?

No it wasn’t, I’d written three before that, one of which was total rubbish. The other two were nearly published, in that an agent tried to flog them to publishers and got nothing but rejections. Then when I sent her a sample of A Year in the Merde and she said (I quote) “I don’t think anyone wants to read any more books about France”, I decided to go it alone. That was in 2004. And fortunately for me she was wrong, because I printed 200, it became a word of mouth hit, I had to reprint about 3000 that I sold over the internet and to Paris bookshops before I found a different agent who sold the rights to a publisher who promised me I wouldn’t have to do my own deliveries, and six years later I have just published my sixth book on France, 1000 Years of Annoying the French, and it went to number three in the Sunday Times chart, so it seems people do want to read about France after all. I must assure potential readers of my books that none of them contain sentences as long as that last one.

You worked full-time as an editor while writing the book. How did you find the time and energy to write a novel?

The concept of working “full time” in France is not quite as stressful as it sounds. Neither is the job of editing a monthly magazine. And luckily for me, I am a total obsessive and have always written stories and songs non-stop, on the metro, at dawn and midnight, in the shower (bit dangerous with a laptop). I can’t stop myself churning it all out. There’s a word for it but it’s not polite.

What did you learn about doing the publicity yourself when you self-published?

That if you really really believe in something, and put all of your energy into it, this enthusiasm will carry over and people will believe you. I hate indifference.

What advice would you give to struggling writers?

Keep struggling. My story proves that anyone can make it. And always see things through to the end. Someone was once flattering enough at a reading to ask me what the difference is between a bestselling writer and everyone else. I said, fundamentally none, of course, we’re all the same. The only difference is that the bestselling writer finished writing his or her book.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

“Don’t eat that sausage – I know what it’s made of.”

How does living in a foreign country affect your writing? What does it add to your writing?

Well, I write mainly about characters who live in a foreign country, so it adds pretty well everything. And I concentrate mostly on fish out of water stories, because that’s what I am. Though for my latest book, 1000 Years of Annoying the French, I could have been living anywhere, because it’s a history and I did most of the research on line. Thank heavens for the internet, and for libraries that are putting their out-of-copyright books on line. I found some historical gems in libraries all over the world.

What’s next?

A cup of tea and a packet of parsnip crisps. I just spent three weeks in the UK, and brought back lods of parsnip crisps. The French don’t eat parsnips – they hardly even know they exist – and it’s a shame because they’re really tasty, almost sweet. When I go back to the UK I get my fill of decent beer and stock up on chutney, Crunchies, and parsnip crisps.

Why go to writing workshops and conferences? Because you meet amazing people. At the Paris Writers Workshop in July, where I was a panelist, I met Chantal Panozzo, an American writer based in Zurich, Switzerland. She’s the co-founder of the Zurich Writers Workshop and blogs about the international writing life at Writer Abroad. Here, she talks about the pros and cons of freelancing while living abroad. Very inspiring!

What books are on your nightstand?

Right now I’m reading Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress by Susan Jane Gilman, This is Not the Story You Think it is by Laura Munson, and Tales from the Expat Harem by Anastasia M. Ashman and Jennifer Eaton Goekmen. I just finished Kitchen Chinese by Ann Mah. I’m reading a lot of memoirs right now since I’m writing one of my own.

What took you to Switzerland?

Curiosity. My husband had a chance to take a job there and while I was scared as heck to give up my job as a copywriter and become a Hausfrau, I knew that if I didn’t go, I’d always be haunted by the “what if?” It was our chance to see the world and we didn’t want to pass that by. I also knew that if I wanted to be the best writer I could be, then living abroad was one of the best things I could do to gain unique perspectives on things.

What keeps you there?

I have found a niche for myself as a writer abroad and also as an English copywriter in Zurich that’s hard to give up. I also find Switzerland beautiful (when it’s not foggy) and I love the way that nature is integrated into city life and that the transportation system is so punctual that I often regret my tardiness. The clock tower across the street from my apartment usually keeps me in check though.

How does living in a foreign country affect your work? What are the pros and cons?

On one hand, it’s easier to find a niche when you are different from the general population. English is used more than ever in business, at least in Switzerland. But on the other hand, it can be hard to work abroad because of the bureaucracy and the language(s) involved. You also have to be flexible because the work you do abroad is not going to be exactly the work you were doing in your home country—even if you’re still doing related things. People hoping to write from abroad also need to consider the cost of living. For example, Switzerland is very expensive, so writing for say, a U.S. publication that’s only going to pay pennies isn’t realistic. But if one were living in Mexico, they’d be living the good life off this same publication.

What advice would you give to novice freelancers?

Start small to establish yourself. I began my freelance journalism career by writing about the arts for an alternative weekly newspaper in Virginia. I established clips and a beat and then expanded from there. But once you’re established, don’t be afraid to aim high. Rejection is nothing to be scared of. If you’re not being rejected, you’re not trying hard enough. Also, don’t underestimate the power of social networking (blogging, twitter, etc). You never know who you’re going to meet through a blog. Part of your job as a writer is not just to write articles, essays, or books but also to make sure that when you do write these, they have a better chance of being published. This comes from platform building. If you’re interested in this, Christina Katz wrote a great book on the topic called Get Known before the Book Deal. It’s especially relevant for non-fiction writers, but really it’s a great book for anyone with their own business.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Freshman year of high school I read an essay that discussed how it was better to aim high and fail than aim low and succeed. I’ve always had that in the back of my head when I work.

Can you tell us a little about your work schedule?

I generally work Monday-Friday from about 8:30 a.m. until at least 5 p.m., sometimes as late as 10 or 11 p.m. if my husband isn’t in town. I need him to keep me from my workaholic tendencies, although I do take breaks to work out or for my Zurich writing group. When you love what you do, it’s hard to pull yourself away. I divide my time between blogging, copywriting, journalism, essay writing, and book projects.

What’s next?

I’m putting the finishing touches on my memoir and beginning the agent search. I’ve already got ideas for a novel and also for a non-fiction book and am trying to decide which to focus on next while I shop the memoir around. Also, I’m the co-founder of the Zurich Writers Workshop and our first big event is being held this October so that’s keeping me busy along with several copywriting clients and the column I write for a Swiss magazine.

To learn more about Chantal, visit these sites:
www.chantalpanozzo.com
www.zurichwritersworkshop.com
www.writerabroad.com

Jamie Ford is the New York Times bestselling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. I bought his novel at the Red Wheel Barrow in Paris and loved it. I wrote to tell him how much I enjoyed his book and his website and was surprised to learn that Jamie lives in Great Falls, Montana, ninety miles from where I grew up. He kindly came to my reading at Hastings in Great Falls last September.

What brought you to Montana?

Ever hear of the Witness Protection Program? I joke, but a friend that works for the U.S. Marshals Service said that they do indeed relocate people to Montana.

I actually came here from Hawaii where I’d been living for six years. On Oahu I had an hour-long commute to work each way. I realized that over the course of a year I was spending 520 hours in my car—that’s three weeks of my life. I figured that if I moved to a smaller town I might reclaim some of that time and actually get some writing done.

What keeps you in Great Falls?

Living in Great Falls is like living in 1977, which if you think about it, was a fantastic year: Star Wars premiered, the Atari was born, and the Clash’s first album was released. It’s like perpetually living in the best year of my childhood. Plus, I travel so much for book events anyway that I get my big city fix on the regular; it’s nice to come home and be off the grid.

Does where you live affect your writing?

Not really. I live in Montana but write about Seattle a lot because that’s where I’m from. It’s near and dear to my heart. Sometimes authors pine for aspects of their past and I’m no exception. I think my opposite is the novelist, Ivan Doig, who is from Montana, writes about Montana, but lives in Seattle. When we finally met and shook hands I expected some kind of matter-anti-matter explosion.

What books are on your nightstand?

I have a huge, Jenga-like tower of manuscripts that I’m reading for blurbs, which I’m happy to do. Most notably was UP FROM THE BLUE from Susan Henderson. It’s a debut that still haunts me. It’ll be out in September and I have no doubt it’ll be one of those sleeper hits that becomes a huge bestseller. It’s probably the best book I’ve read this year.

Aside from “reading for work,” I love graphic novels (and comics). I’m rereading Frank Miller’s, RONIN, right now. Such a great story, with such gorgeous, noirish artwork––I can appreciate it in an entirely different way than when I read it as a sophomore in high school.

Also, there’s a space reserved for MOCKINGJAY, the third book in the HUNGER GAMES trilogy. My entire family is caught up in that series and we’re eagerly awaiting the final book, which will be released in 25 days…12 hours…32 minutes…58 seconds…

Can you tell us about your path to publication?

My path for HOTEL was embarrassingly easy (sorry). I wrote a short story at a workshop in June 2006. I workshopped it again in August and had a lot of positive feedback and specific encouragement to turn it into a novel. I went home, unplugged the TV and by Christmas had finished the first draft. I signed with an agent a few months after having five offers, and sold the book at auction in the summer of 2007.

BUT…I did write another novel before that, a book that will never see the light of day––a book that I wrote and rewrote for four years before putting it into a medically induced coma. That book was an incredible experience in figuring out voice and POV and the type of fiction that I wanted to write. But if I had tried to query that boat-anchor of a manuscript I’d break the world record for collected rejections.

Why did you start your blog?

I registered the URL for jamieford.com and then thought, hmmm…now what? A blog seemed like a natural thing to do. Plus it gave me a writing space to play around with even when I wasn’t knee-deep in storyland. Along the way it became a place to interact with other aspiring writers, which was a joy, especially since I live in a fairly small town with a limited community of creative types. 

What advice would you give to struggling writers?

I was once asked, “Which do you like more—writing, or the idea of being a writer?” It was, and is, a very delicate and powerful question. If you enjoy the process of writing, you’ll probably do well. But if you romanticize the idea of being a writer, you’re probably in it for the wrong reasons. In that case, keep your day job, buy a Vespa, and hang out at Starbucks and brood a lot. You can enjoy all of the affectations without the struggle.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

I’m paraphrasing, but the advice was this: That writers’ block is your subconscious telling you “this sucks.” Some authors will tell you to, “just keep writing—finish at all costs. You can rewrite it later.” I tend to listen to that inner voice that says, “Hey, did we just miss our turn back there?”

I go back, cut what’s not working and start again. Rewrites are too painful.

What’s next?

I recently turned in a new manuscript to my editor at Ballantine. Hopefully I’ll have something new on the shelves next August. Stay tuned…

I’m in the middle of reading an unpublished manuscript, “The Light from Tomorrow,” by Dirck Van Sickle. It’s kind of a grim road-trip love story set in 1934 during the Dust Bowl, which apparently started on the Montana Hi-Line. (Did you know that?) Dirck, the author of “Montana Gothic,” is rumored to be dead, but I discovered he’s still kicking in New York City. He let me interview him and I’m shopping the story around to lit journals.

Other books on my nightstand include “Writers On Writing: Collected Essays from The New York Times,” “The Situation and the Story” by Vivian Gornick and “Wild Ducks Flying Backward” by Tom Robbins.

Why did you start your blog?

I started journaling on a Geocities website in summer 1998 during an online editing internship in Fort Lauderdale. I wanted to share my travel adventures and photos with friends. It became a real blog in 2003, although I got burned out and mostly stopped blogging last year. I still post some pictures and a few thoughts, but I recently redesigned my site and took most of my old posts down. I have loved writing and photography since my teens, and I guess I have a compulsion to share them with people, but lately I’ve withdrawn a bit.

I also think it helps if you have a niche, which I never really did. The most successful blogs seem to focus on a fairly narrow topic — like writing or food or politics or “mommy blogging.” 

 

You have the most beautiful photographs I have ever seen. What advice would you give to a novice photographer?

 

Thank you so much! My parents were artists and I think I inherited a good eye from them, although as an active Flickr member, I am constantly reminded that there are many incredibly talented photographers out there.

My advice to a beginner would be, first and foremost, to take lots of pictures. Shooting a lot will help develop your eye. Fortunately, digital makes it easy to take a lot of pictures without spending much. Also, a common misconception is that you have to have an expensive camera to take good pictures. But a good photographer can take great photos with a hundred-dollar camera. The most important thing is to know how to use the camera, so read the manual. Read a book on photographic technique. Study other photographers’ work and figure out what they did to get their shots.

Also, learning how to edit your images — whether in an expensive program like Photoshop or a freebie like Picasa — can make the difference between an okay photo and a great one.

 

I  should  also probably plug the website I write for, PhotographyREVIEW.com. It has great camera reviews and discussion forums.

 

 

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Many pieces of advice come to mind. Two that I heard just today were, “Live vicariously through yourself” and “Illegitimus non carborundum (Don’t let the bastards grind you down).”

What is your favorite place to write?

I do most of my writing at my desk/dining table, which faces a big panoramic window with a spectacular view of the Missoula Valley and Bitterroot Mountains. I also like to take my Macbook to bed to write, although I tend to put myself to sleep that way.

 To see more of Patia’s photography please visit her website http://www.patiastephens.com/ or visit her Flickr account http://www.flickr.com/photos/patia/.

Raquel Mayer is a Seattle-based award-winning designer in print, digital, creative branding, and information graphics. She has worked for a variety of companies, from small start-ups to Microsoft and Jabra. I first learned of Raquel’s work when I returned to Shelby and saw the gorgeous designs she created for the Shelby centennial celebration. She took a few minutes out of her busy schedule to answer questions on her influences and inspiration.

How did growing up in Shelby inspire you as an artist?
The spirit of growing up in a small town like Shelby helped shape my honest, strong work ethic that is responsible for a lot of my success. I also think growing up in Shelby forced me to find creative outlets and to be curious about pushing boundaries, which instilled an eagerness in me to learn more about the world.
 
What kind of formal training have you had? Which is more important in your own experience, your own explorations or specific training?
The foundation of my traditional art skills was built during my senior year in high school, when I talked my art teacher Ms. Hanson into letting me hang out in her art classroom for three periods a day. After graduation, I enrolled in the graphic design program at the Art Institute of Seattle.
 
Personally and as a hiring manager, I’ve learned that having the natural talent (or the “creative eye”) is very difficult to be taught–it’s truly a gift. While that natural talent can take you places, having formal training brings you to a professional and competitive level that every career-driven artist should commit to.
 
What took you to Seattle?
I wanted to move to a big city, and Seattle happened to be one of the closest to home…just in case I needed to come running back!  My grandparents took a gamble on me and, with the support of my amazing family, gave me the courage and means to make my dreams of becoming a working artist a reality. I’ll forever be grateful for that!
 
What keeps you there?
During my graduating semester at the Art Institute, I accepted a three-month internship with one of the top design firms in Seattle and ended up staying on with them for almost 2 years. From there, I was able to find several great opportunities within the greater Seattle area—it really has a wonderful design community. I also met my husband, who is a Washington native, so together we’ve made a home of Seattle.
 
What are some of your favorite creations? What inspires you?
I am especially proud of the Shelby poster and collateral work I did for the 100th celebration. To design an image that depicts the anniversary of such a tight community was intimidating! Shelby means so much to so many people; it was amazing to have the opportunity to take a blank page and create a single image that people would want to wear or purchase.
 
I love the opportunities I’ve gotten with some of the largest technology giants, Microsoft being one of my top favorites. The challenge to come up with something new while keeping the large corporate brand intact is daunting yet rewarding. A couple of years ago, I worked with a small group inside Microsoft called the IdeAgency on visualizing an interactive, educational and safe site for children ages 4-12. This was special to me because of the challenging requirements of designing a website for 4 year olds who can’t read but, without undermining the computer savy 12 year old, all within an extremely tight deadline (4 weeks including development).  The project was very successful and in turn gained the trust of the team and cultivated a long term client engagement, I work with the former General Manger to this day!
 
I’m inspired most by designers who set trends and are innovative within the challenges clients bring to them. One my sources for daily inspiration is BRAND NEW <www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/> , I love honest and educated critique by experts and players within the global design community.
 
What is the best advice you have received?
The best advice from design/artist mentors is to “Keep current and relevant—be willing to learn new tricks.”
 
However, the advice I find myself turning to is from my dad, who always told me, “If you believe what you are doing is right, then how can you be wrong?”

What advice would you give to struggling artists?
Don’t give up! The design and art community is competitive and fast moving, but that should motivate you to try harder, learn faster and hone your skills.

When I am in Paris and feel a bit homesick for Montana, I look at Steve Hurtig’s photos for a reminder of home. I was amazed by his photo of the cow and her calf, taken in a blizzard in May. (I felt less homesick after reading about the blizzard.)

Though Steve is originally from City of Commerce, California, he has lived all over the state of Montana and has had many interesting experiences.  He came to Montana in 1977 and was stationed at Havre Air Force Station. He started in law enforcement the fall of 1979 in Chinook. From there he went to Plentywood, where he met his wife, Sammie. They moved to Libby in 1989 where Steve was a detective for about 10 years. He did a large amount of crime scene photography and learned to look at things from different angles. He currently lives in Shelby and works for Customs and Border Protection.

Steve says, ‘I became interested in photography when I finally realized the beauty that surrounds us every day and if you just stopped and pulled out your camera you could preserve it forever.’

I asked him what advice he would give to anyone interested in photography and he replied, ‘Take as many photos as you can, with digital you can always delete. And let your imagination run wild, you never know what you may come up with.’

Steve says, ‘This photo was taken the morning of May 4, 2010. I was driving to work in the Sweetgrass Hills, the wind was blowing about 40 miles per hour and it was snowing very wet snow. When I saw these two I thought it would make a great photo, but, I didn’t want to stop because I was afraid of getting stuck. Well, I ended up only going another mile and turned around because the road was too bad. They hadn’t moved an inch and I was able to get this photo. It has since been published in the “Rural Montana” magazine and was selected Best in Show at the Marias County Fair.’

Photo by Steve Hurtig

The Prairie Peddler is one of my favorite spots in Shelby. It is a great place to write or to have coffee with a friend. Here is owner Cindy Rogers with a latte that she has just made.

photo by Eamonn McCabe

Three great opportunities for writers, from Shakespeare & Company, Paris Writers News, and the Zurich Writers Workshop!

First, the Paris Literary Prize

Shakespeare and Company, in collaboration with The de Groot Foundation, is pleased to announce the launch of our first literary prize.

Shakespeare and Company has a long-standing tradition of opening its doors to aspiring writers and in keeping with that philosophy, the 10,000€ Paris Literary Prize is ONLY open to writers who have not yet published a book.

The 2011 Paris Literary Prize will be awarded for an unpublished novella (defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as a short novel, or long story). A submitted novella must be a sustained narrative with a minimum word count of 20,000 and maximum of 30,000. Linked short stories, and works aimed at children or young adults will not be considered.

For more information please visit www.shakespeareandcompany.com/

Second, from Paris Writers News comes a New Short Story Contest Open to Writers Worldwide.

Laurel Zuckerman, the director of Paris Writers News, is launching its first contest for the Best and Most Delightful Stories about Paris. Twelve stories will be selected for publication in a collection of short stories about Paris.

Laurel is looking looking for ‘a great story, well-told. Humor, wit and luminous prose, please apply! Love, hate, expectation, desire, dreams, discovery and disappointment in the world’s most beautiful city. All themes, periods and approaches will be considered.’

All authors welcome, published and unpublished. Submission by email, in text of mail. Deadline for submission: November 30, 2010

The Best and Most Delightful Stories about Paris will be published in paperback, e-book and POD in the fall of 2011. To submit your short story, please send your text IN THE BODY OF THE EMAIL (no attachments, no links) to: pariswritersnews@gmail.com

Genre: Short fiction (with some link to Paris)

Closing date: 30 November 2010

Prize: 200 euros for first prize, plus publication of twelve best stories

Entry fee: 10 euros

Restrictions: Maximum 5’000 words. Submission in the body of the email only

Further information: 12 stories will be selected to appear in the book: “BEST AND MOST DELIGHTFUL STORIES ABOUT PARIS” to be published fall 2011

More details will be announced on http://www.laurelzuckerman.com

Third, The Zurich Writers Workshop invites you to join them October 1-3, 2010, for their first literary event.

During the weekend, New York Times Bestselling Author Susan Jane Gilman and novelist and University of Oxford Fiction Tutor Amal Chatterjee will demonstrate practical ways to improve your memoir or novel, as well as offer career advice to writers.

Also on the agenda: a literary tour of Zurich, a gathering at the James Joyce Pub, and a fondue dinner that includes readings from the instructors. Sounds like a great weekend!

Registration will open in mid-August. To join their mailing list, click here.

The Zurich Writers Workshop was founded in 2010 by three Zurich-based American writers: Kelly Jarosz, Emily Lacika, and Chantal Panozzo. The workshop is committed to providing inspiration and quality instruction to passionate, active writers.

Kristin Espinasse is the author of Words in a French Life. She also has a blog called French Word-a-Day that has thousands of subscribers. With an approach that’s as charming as it is practical, Kristin shares stories through French words and phrases. Her photos of France are divine. I first learned about Kristin’s work through French teacher Linda Reynolds and was very happy to meet Kristin at Paris Writer’s Workshop earlier this year. Below, Kristin talks about the writing process.

What brought you to France?
An exchange program during my third year at Arizona State University. I had fallen in love with all things French around the age of 12. As a sophomore in high school, I took my first French class but lost heart after almost failing it. Happily, there are second chances in life! Mine came when a certain teacher encouraged me to look past my shortcomings in the language — and dive into the culture! This was a turn-around for me. I’ll never forget Mme Wollam!

What keeps you in France?
The brightly painted window shutters with pots of geraniums on the sill, the rickety old bicycles with saggy saddlebags on the side, my mother-in-laws tapenade, a love of the language… especially “parapluie” “choucou” and “c’est la vie” and, of course, family (my son and daughter (15 and 12, respectively) were born here).

What books are on your nightstand?
I love the following books and have to replace them each time I lend them out… “Le Perfum,” by Patrick Suskind, Flaubert’s “A Simple Heart,” Brenda Ueland’s “If You Want to Write,” Diane Ackerman’s “A Natural History of the Senses,” “The Life of a Simple Man,” as well as “The Man Who Planted Trees“… “Down and Out in Paris and London,” “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn“… “The Glass Castle”… “The Liar’s Club,” “The Power of One” and the Bible. 

Why did you start your blog?
To peddle my writing! I was looking for a place in cyberspace to “pin up” and eventually sell my stories. But, having posted them, no one came over to read. So I lured in unsuspecting readers with the promise of a “word a day”. Because I love to infuse stories with French, a “French” word-a-day was the perfect carrot!

Can you tell us about your path to publication?
I began blogging in 2002, sending out a “word” and a corresponding story daily. Within two months I had collected enough stories to put together a book, which I self-published using a printer in States. I called this publishing venture “Four Frogs Press” (my husband, two children, and I being the frogs in question…). I put up a Paypal button on my site, encouraging readers to pre-order the book (which I was still busy putting together…). In this way I earned money for the first print run (all of 25 books!). By the second book (”Words in a French Life, Volume II”…), the print run went to 250. And by the third installation (”volume III”) I was ordering 500 books and creating book packages (”buy three books for a lower price”). 

One day I received an email from an editor at Simon and Schuster. They were interested in working together… It turns out that a journalist in Beijing had sent my blog address to an editor in NYC. The journalist was Ann Mah (who has since published “Kitchen Chinese”) and the editor was Amanda Patten. I almost fell out of my chair on reading about their interest in my books. “Words in a French Life: Lessons in Love and Language in the South of France” (published in 2006) is the fruit of that collaboration. 

What is your favorite place to write?
In my office. I can’t say it is my favorite place (it would be nice to write in cafes…), but the atmosphere is controlled insofar as one can control things. Still, I can’t manage to keep the cicadas from screeching outside my window… or to keep my husband from shouting when his soccer team (L’OM) makes a goal, or to keep the summer sun from turning the room into an oven three months each year. And there’s an issue with bees and nesting. I have learned to type whilst the bees do their aller-retours right beneath my nose, buzzing back and forth from the window to the bookshelf where they are “building something”. I figure we are both building something, stories, behives, a life that thrives. 

What’s next?
Maybe a novella or a novellette… so as not to say a “novel” (sounds daunting!). I am working on something now, growing a short story that I wrote for a recent writing class at the Paris Writers Workshop. It is a stab at fiction (or rather “faction” for the story is based on an event). I guess it is time to take one of those risks… and to finish it.

Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Jake Lamar graduated from Harvard University and then spent six years writing for Time magazine. In 1993, he went to Paris intending to stay for a year; he now lives there full-time with his wife. He is the author of five novels including The Ghosts of Saint-Michel and Rendezvous Eighteenth as well as the memoir Bourgeois Blues. He will be on several panels at Festival America in Vincennes, from September 23rd to the 26th. I can’t wait to hear what he has to say!

What brought you to Paris?
I was inspired by all the American writers I’d read who had come here before me, especially James Baldwin and Richard Wright, but also Hemingway and Fitzgerald, Henry Miller and Gertrude Stein. I wanted to see what the attraction was. After I published my first book, I won a prize, a lot of money by my standards. I came to Paris intending to stay for a year. That was in 1993!

What keeps you in Paris?
More than anything, it’s the people I’ve met here. I found it very easy to form friendships from my earliest weeks in Paris. Then, after three years, I met Dorli, la femme de ma vie.

What books are on your nightstand?
The Fifth Child by Doris Lessing, Teducation: Selected Poems by Ted Joans, J’irai cracher sur vos tombes by Boris Vian, Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada.
 
What advice would you give to struggling writers?
Do not write with “a market”  in mind. Write what you are compelled to write.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
A creative writing professor at college told me that a writer has to love the process of revision as much as he loves the initial creation of the work. I didn’t believe it at the time. Of course, he was right.

How does living in a foreign country affect your writing? What does it add to your writing?
During my early years in France, I benefitted greatly from meeting older writers who showed me how you can improvise a life writing, traveling, always being open to new experiences. Later, when I set two novels in Paris, it was clear that living here had provided material I wouldn’t have discovered anywhere else.
      In recent years, I’ve worked with French theater directors and have started writing dialogue in French. I’ve also written short stories and articles in English, knowing that they would be published first in French. I don’t think I have enough distance from this recent work yet to see how the English-French dynamic is affecting my writing.

What is your favorite Parisian café?
I’ve loved different cafés at different times in my life here. Over the past four or five years, I’ve become more and more fond of the Café Wepler on the Place de Clichy. A clean, well-lighted place that still has red banquettes and, best of all, no music!

What’s next?
I’m two years into a novel that I hope to finish in 2011. It’s a new departure for me. It’s not a thriller, it’s not set in Paris and it doesn’t deal with racial questions.