Edgar Allan Poe and Paris and love. American author Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) is best known for his macabre tales of horror, madness, superstition, and the dark forces. He was also recognized as a leader in the detective genre and the introduction of shorts – the short story genre. Although he never visited Paris, heContinue reading “Edgar Allan Poe and Paris and love”
Author Archives: MaNi
NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: REMEMBERING THE 5 Ts – Blog # 7
NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: REMEMBERING THE 5 Ts – Blog # 7. As I plan for the writing of my next book – my New Paris Book – I am reminded of the 5 Ts – the five tips to help the story flow: timeline, turning point, tension, temptation, and teachable. Timeline: A timeline hasContinue reading “NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: REMEMBERING THE 5 Ts – Blog # 7 “
Julia Child’s Life in France
Julia Child’s Life in France. American-born Julia Child, the celebrity French chef, wrote My Life in France in 2006 after living in Paris, Marseille, and Provence from 1948-1954. She is known for her cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking and her television show The French Chef. Her book became the most beloved cookbook of all time. Julia McWilliams from Pasadena,Continue reading “Julia Child’s Life in France”
NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: WOMAN IN A HOLE – Blog # 6
NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: WOMAN IN A HOLE – Blog # 6. American novelist Kurt Vonnegut said, “nobody ever lost money telling the story of a man in a hole.” Maybe I ought to consider Vonnegut’s advice as I start planning my New Paris Book – a semi-autobiographical novel. Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007) was knownContinue reading “NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: WOMAN IN A HOLE – Blog # 6 “
NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: FOLLOWING RULES AND BREAKING RULES – Blog # 5
NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: FOLLOWING RULES AND BREAKING RULES – Blog # 5. I’m still at the concept stage in the writing process of my new fictional book, tentatively called the New Paris Book. Why do I like my childhood Peter Rabbit 1902-1912 books by British author Beatrix Potter? Because Peter Rabbit broke theContinue reading “NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: FOLLOWING RULES AND BREAKING RULES – Blog # 5 “
Paris is transforming
Paris is transforming. Paris is transforming quartier par quartier – neighbourhood by neighbourhood – through five priorities. Solidarity everywhere: Housing is a priority with the objective of 25% social housing throughout Paris, a new service to enforce rent control, a social home ownership program, and support for energy renovation. Students, youth, seniors, and the homeless will be theContinue reading “Paris is transforming”
NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: SECRETS AND PUZZLES – Blog # 4
NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: SECRETS AND PUZZLES – Blog # 4. I’m reminded that the best books contain secrets and puzzles. My New Paris Book – a fictional but auto-biographical novel – should have secrets and puzzles too then. Why are secrets and puzzles so fascinating for readers. Is it because everyone likes toContinue reading “NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: SECRETS AND PUZZLES – Blog # 4 “
Snowy January morning in Paris
Snowy January morning in Paris.
French language learning progress in 2023
French language learning progress in 2023. Last year, in 2023, I continued French language lessons – online with the Duolingo app. I completed 2,407 lessons taking 17,214 minutes (286 hours). I learned a total of 1,242 new words and practiced writing 3,717 new sentences. This practice resulted in an average of 91% accuracy – endingContinue reading “French language learning progress in 2023”
NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: THE KNOWN, THE UNKNOWN AND THE MORAL CONFLICT – Blog # 3
NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: THE KNOWN, THE UNKNOWN AND THE MORAL CONFLICT – Blog # 3. Every story has three elements: the known, the unknown, and the main character – i.e., the hero. In the planning stages of my next fictional novel, tentatively called The New Paris Book, set in Paris from 2020, IContinue reading “NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: THE KNOWN, THE UNKNOWN AND THE MORAL CONFLICT – Blog # 3 “