May 2nd, 2022: imagination and reality for young novelists

Welcome May!

I have been reading Umberto Eco’s: “Confessions of a young novelist”, exploring the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction. How the author builds the imaginary world and the connexions with different forms of reality, the different readings from different readers. Some of these readers, experts in the medieval worlds he mentions might look for facts and connexions in his writings he wasn’t aware of.

Despite having read “the name of the rose” and loved it absolutely, and then ‘Foucault”s pendulum”, I admit that Umberto has not stirred my interest in the same way here. Yes, I am a young novelist and I love his work and personality overall. But right now, it seems that medieval Europe is not for some reason my biggest passion.

Still, the book is only half-read, so I still have hopes, or it could be that recovering from covid is incompatible with Eco. We’ll see!

https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674058699

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September 1st, 2019- Welcome September!

Dear September,

Welcome again! Schools, Universities, start in a while, and I feel ready to shake away the lethargic attitude which accompanied me in August, to sail in almost full speed!

I finish my novel, “The Capitaine Fracasse”, written by the talented and unique Théophile Gautier, and I am so delighted with his use of French language, and the lessons I can learn as an author from his style. The Theater as a form of art and Commedia del’Arte play an important part, as most of the characters are actors.

In the last chapter, there is catharsis and justice to the good people in the story, so I am looking forward to a restoration of the moral balance!

Apart from that, I am planning my week, as much as possible, because I am going on a trip on Tuesday… and I will tell you more very soon!

 

August 19, 2019- Back to my hometown and to “Capitaine Fracasse”

Hello August,

I am back to the hometown café, with my head full of the beatiful landscapes of the French Riviera, and longing for the seaside. But I need to leave my novel and go back to a working mood, which is not all phantasizing and imagining oneself in these imaginary situations of the Capitaine Fracasse’s adventures. What is better than to revisit the classics of the French Litterature in this book by Théophile Gautier before the summer ends?

October 10, 2018- Bounce Back Big, Day 23- You can see the essential with your heart

Hello October,

I found myself at a reception with people who had refused my job application, people who know me and seemed to like me.

At a certain point, I addressed one of them with a question: why does x new building has to be ugly?

He kind of took it personally, getting defensive. As if I was accusing him of responsibility.

I answered that maybe functionality or something else is the priority.

Thinking back at the scene, I realize that this dialogue is more than what it looked like.

I still hold kind of grudge because these people didn’t help me. When I was asking in a critical way, it was as if I was asking this person: why didn’t you support me?

And he feels a bit guilty, so it’s like, it wasn’t all me making the decision.

People can speak up words, but sometimes, what they really say is different.

Saying that, I also realize that I can come out as a bit aggressive when I feel wronged.

Should I stay in the vicinity of these people? Or forget it and go another way?

Hmm, it certainly doesn’t pay to be around just to be around.

To begin with, holding a grudge is only bad for me.

Feeling hurt could make us aggressive to others or towards ourselves.

How do we get over this feeling to focus on our creation?

By being self-compassionate:

Sometimes, not succeeding in something is the best thing.

That doesn’t mean we are not good, or that the others are better.

It could mean that this is not our “niche”, the right place to be.

It’s like insisting in being love by a person who doesn’t give back.

Why not try with another?

Open up our scope?

Open our eyes to see?

And as the “Little Prince” would say, “you can see what is essential only with your heart”.

http://mentalfloss.com/article/64148/12-charming-facts-about-little-prince

 

June 6, 2017-First words, first chapter

Dear June,

is it an easy task to get somewhere else from the position you were born to? Well, if you are a tree, not much. If you are a month, neither. If you are June and you want to play December, actually it is possible, all you have to do is to change hemisphere.

So even months have a chance.

How about humans?

Are we responsible for the rain and the sunny weather, for the hurricanes, floods and tempests?

Apparently, we become more and more so.

Not only individually.

But all together, because one action I take today, is magnified if others take it too.

In that sense, how can we change things?

We can give the example.

And then maybe, tell someone else.

And make an argument.

Maybe this will create two of us.

Or maybe we will change our minds and actions together.

So, today, even if I am not responsible for the fate of the world right now, I can take some action individually.

And as a second step, I am looking for another person.

Just one for now 🙂

BaffleThatBully.com

March 7, 2018- How to find like-minded people

Hello March,

so, I realize doing everything by myself is not the easiest thing to do… and yet, how do we find like-minded, positive and competent people who want to go in the same direction?

Facing reality, is a big thing.

So, I could start from that.

That helps knowing in which direction we are going.

https://gpala.org/2015/12/17/interested-in-starting-a-group-but-dont-know-where-to-begin/

The Warrior Creator or how to be relaxed and productive in the middle of a storm

Hello November,

this inspiring post of David Rogers on  The Warrior Creator

is the best way to start the weekend!

Relaxed and busy, how to stay focused on our work even if there is a storm outside.

So I am ready to put to use David’s advice, and be productive and relaxed way:

there is a short story I want to submit this weekend, and my NaNoWriMo novel is advancing, even a few lines a day.

I don’t need to look at the end, I just focus on the next steps.

November 7, 2017- Getting energised when you want to stay under the duvet

Hello November,

this coffee shop looks like an airport with all these people crossing here and there.

So, let’s say that I wake up with a headache and morning walk, or anything of the kind is not working.

Ok, I wanted to wake up early, it didn’t work.

Then, I suggest not to insist.

At least I don’t have any meetings today, and I can work from home, or rest.

How about showing myself some respect and taking it easy.

Let’s give oneself a break, and do something different, read something different, let our mind wander, no matter what.

It feels like I need a change of perspective.

I already started working on the novel, so this is great already.

https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Energized

April 27 and 28, 2016: postday 14 and15- Café up in the Alpes-Maritimes

Dear April,

I am again in France, “chez moi”, in other words, in my hometown at the mountains of the Alpes-Maritimes, the part of the Alpes which goes all the way down to the Mediterranean sea. Isn’t it just wonderful to combine the mountains and the sea?

Some people could wonder why would I ever have the idea to leave, but it is also wonderful to come back rich from experiences of other parts of the world!

With 3 hours sleep I feel happy to get back to coffee and ditch tea for a while… at the café of my hometown.

But in any case, I am here with a special mission. Check how it goes with my book, it seems that my editor is a bit lazy and we need a boost. All the village people were curious or were harassed to buy my book. Now it would be good to open up to a broader public. At least the next villages and the region 😉

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=alpes+maritimes+en+mai&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj2goz96rHMAhULM8AKHciBAfgQ_AUICSgD&biw=751&bih=335&dpr=1.82#tbm=isch&q=alpes+maritimes+office+de+tourisme&imgrc=gPSZZ4-UZyfwIM%3A

April 24, 2016: Post day 11, Look Here!

April hi,

isn’t this painting fascinating? You think these eyes are capable of reading your thoughts. It’s Odilon Redon, the French symbolist painter who is at the cover of this cute little book at the British Museum.

Yes, I have become an absolute fan of the B.M., and decided to buy it for my god-son, since there are no words, just beautiful pictures of works of art, both sculptures and paintings. Different periods in time and cultures are represented, in a very imaginative way.

So it’s ok that Alexandre, my godson doesn’t speak a word in English. He can still look. I just hope he won’t throw it against his younger brother because it is a bit heavy though.

What is more, this gave me ideas for an art exhibition 🙂

http://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/art-history/look-here/invt/cmc50833