If you speak French, (or if you don't but are in the mood to get eye blisters staring at foreign words strung together in an unknown language) there is an interview of me on the website Expat Forever today. I was asked about my writing process, why I chose to write Hidden in Paris in English, why a novel set in Paris, but mostly what it was like for me to leave France behind and start my life anew in the United States at age 23. Expat Forever is an excellent site, which, among other things, collects testimonies of French speaking people who now live abroad. I think, how pertinent to my novel where the characters do just that. Expat Forever tries to facilitate this thorny transition and recommends books on the expatriate life for example, as well as other websites expatriate can turn to for guidance. When I was 23, there was no internet. NO INTERNET people! I wish I had had that kind of help, especially the testimonies of people who had gone through this, because it was hard (If you want to know how hard you can read the article.)
oh it took me a while! super busy at the mo'
loved the book - read it 2 wks ago exactement. too fun!
now trying to do a review on amazon.....which is stitching me up. (english, english expression) i will yet get to it! (when the tech support is home again.)
only a little jealous that you are going to nyc....chocolate bread at baltazar.....
bon sejour!
Posted by: mlleparadis | June 17, 2011 at 01:42 PM
Coucou Corine,
thank you for this very nice and beautiful interview and this post about it. I really hope it will help you.
And if by any chance you come to Chicago, let me know!
All the best et a bientot,
Veronique
Posted by: Veronique | June 17, 2011 at 04:02 PM
What surprised me most was your picture! In my mind I have you down as a very dark haired woman with a classic bob... don't ask me why, maybe an unconscious view of how French women might look. You looked lovely, of course, just not how I imagined you. I should have known better, I have seen a picture of you as a child, and you do look like a grown up version of yourself. So now you've thrown me, I have to imagine you as you really are when I read your blog, rather than as I imagined. This is what we do with books isn't it. We build up complex images of the characters and then find they don't fit at all with the actors who take on the roles in the film versions.
Posted by: Martina Tierney | June 22, 2011 at 12:01 AM