The Paris Journal from Obvious State: A Sneak Peek

This spring, I had the very good fortune to help edit a new book by my fellow-Paris-passage-dwellers and dear friends Nichole and Evan Robertson. It's smartly called "The Paris Journal."

And seriously, y'all, it is so good.

Editing it was one of those experiences where you got to see your friends at their finest--when you KNOW they're already great at something, but then you spend a focused amount of time on their project and you realize, "Damn. These people can REALLY WRITE."

Because they can. And it's done so well that it almost makes me mad. (You know, in a healthy, inspiring way.)

Now that I've spent a good amount of time experiencing this fair city, I can tell you that, within their essays and photos, Nichole and Evan have managed to capture precisely what it's like to explore a neighborhood in Paris.

I can also tell you that they spent a lot of time thinking and rethinking this story. I heard their across-the-globe iChat conversations. I talked to Nichole about it late at night while we were on different sides of the apartment, trying to convince ourselves it was time to sleep, but instead staying up and chatting away. As an editor and reader, I got to see its different versions evolve and change and get better at every turn.

The result is a funny, quirky, thoughtful collaboration--a wonderful book that I can't wait to add to my bookshelf (and Kindle; there's a version for that, too). I am proud to have been a small part of its creative process.

Cool thing is, Nichole and Evan made the first three chapters free to download. Check them out here. The ebook will be available April 29. The printed book will arrive in about four weeks. And there will be more in the series, so keep checking back for updates.

It's an awesome way to support creative folks and independent authors and storytellers who want to keep putting real, authentic content into the world. Because we need this stuff, you know? Go get it!

The Paris Plan - Achieved Today: Rule #12. Big time.

Book Clubbing: Remains of the Day

So it's been one of those weeks where I keep telling everyone that "Mercury must be in retrograde," even though I don't really know what that means. On my planet, I am simply using it as code for, "Dude, things are way nutty right now."

Fortunately for me, though, there was a little peaceful moment during my week: it was time again for my Book Club to get together for one of our monthly meetings. Not everyone could make it this go 'round (only two of us could show up), but that didn't stop us from geeking out and waxing on about the tight, smart writing from our latest read, The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro.

It's a gorgeous book for many reasons, and one of those is the fact that it's based on a character named Mr Stevens, an old-school butler at the once-grand "Darlington Hall" in the UK in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. And that means there's tons of repressed emotion, several repeats of the word "sir," and lots and lots of descriptions of lovely things.

(Here's a few passages that inspired me.) (Sir.)

I am glad to be able to recall numerous occasions when the silver at Darlington Hall had a pleasing impact upon observers. Vintage Silver Plate Serving Fork and Spoon, $10.50, TarasVintageKitchen at etsy

I recall I was a little taken aback when Miss Kenton opened the door and entered before I had bidden her to do so. She came in holding a large vase of flowers and said with a smile: 'Mr Stevens, I thought these would brighten your parlour a little.' Albert Vase, $200, Tina Frey Designs

I was then brought up to this room, in which, at that point of the day, the sun was lighting up the floral patterns of the wallpaper quite agreeably. Betta wallpaper, $150/roll, Jill Malek

'Stevens, are you all right?'

'Yes, sir. Perfectly."

'You look as though you're crying.'

I laughed and taking out a handkerchief, quickly wiped my face. 'I'm very sorry, sir. The strains of a hard day.'

Handkerchief with Silkscreened Film Countdown, $7.77, HudsonDusker at etsy

All images / websites / content © their respective owners.