Because of an interview on Passage Paradis where I get to talk about myself a lot. I also talk about a hypothetical unlimited decorating budget, and what I'd do with it. Fun, fun , fun!
If you're not familiar with Passage Paradis you might want to read this post. It's the website of a woman I'm secretely jealous of (okay, now it's out) because she travels everywhere in the world. And she comes back with the most jaw dropping images. Soon she will sell her original prints in a shop and lately she has been doing gorgeous print giveaways such as this one:
I want this print. And I want it BAD.
Hidden in Paris is a a novel set in Paris but filled with American characters. I'm often asked why I write in English instead of French, and if living in the U.S. made a difference in my choices. Here is a bit of our discussion:
Do you think you would have been a writer if you'd stayed in France?
Okay, I think I will have to be harsh on my compatriots here. The answer is "No Way Jose", and for several reasons:
One - I would have felt societal pressure to have a career and would not have taken the time to stay at home to raise my kids. French women do not feel complete if they stay at home, as if this would prove that society can go on without them, or that they are not worthwhile women. Being French I struggled to put my career in Advertising and Marketing on hold to raise my kids. But something great came out of it: It turns out motherhood is as lovely as it can be thankless. I started writing fiction out of absolute housewife boredom. I’m almost not kidding. My second son took 2-hour naps during which I felt trapped and house bound, so I wrote during his naps. One nap at a time and in ten months I had a first draft.
Two - The French language is intimidating and extremely complex. I found freedom in writing in a language that wasn’t mine and through the use of which there was no pretending to be literary, I just told stories in simple ways and focused on the characters. Had I tried to write in French I would have censored myself every step of the way and compared myself to Proust and Flaubert. Writing in English is a challenge in the sense that I can’t trust it to be 100 % grammatically correct (I aim for 92%.)
Three - Americans definitely have a ‘you can do anything you set your mind to’ mindset whereas I find the French much more circumspect. I’m convinced I would have been surrounded with people ready to knock some sense into me, remind me of the realities of a writer’s life and given me a 1000 reasons why I should not even try to write.
Please click here to read the whole interview.
It's so fun to read about you, Corine!
I just received your book and am busy reading it. I LOVE IT!
Posted by: Angie Muresan | May 19, 2011 at 09:53 AM
Oh, do I understand what you're saying! It was not much better in Holland (20 years ago), and what flack I got for studying- one night per week while hubby was with the kids (mind you!) Fortunately hubby saw I wasn't reaching my potential and we moved to Los Angeles to continue my studies - which was the best move we ever made! Not only could I study, but after that work in my field!
Posted by: jeannette StG | May 19, 2011 at 02:32 PM
I can't wait to read your book - love your honesty and the interview sparked my interest. Congratulations!
M. Paradis is such a treasure and talent. I am the lucky person who won that beautiful photo :^)
p.s. Obama, YES!
Posted by: janis | May 19, 2011 at 07:00 PM
I'm not French but German....still I could not agree more...I could not have done in Germany what I have done/achieved/enjoyed in the United States.
I'll have to read your book! Congratulations
Posted by: Christa | May 24, 2011 at 09:52 AM
I'm just catching up with all these news. It sounds fantastic ; COngratulations ...
Your words are so right .
Posted by: le petit cabinet de curiosites | May 25, 2011 at 01:58 PM