Write With Me In Paris (and elsewhere!)
plus a short gift guide of things to buy for yourself(!)
{This newsletter is PACKED. The TLDR version is, I’m co-launching a writer’s workshop in Paris in the spring. I’m also offering two zoom workshops this winter. Plus, scroll all the way down and you’ll find a (mostly) practical gift guide for YOURSELF. À bientôt! and Enjoy.}
Last winter, when I was in Paris, Susanna Schrobsdorff invited me to her flat on the Canal for a dinner party. Susanna is an award-winning writer and editor, and spent much of her career at Time magazine (during the time that was one of the most powerful, and coveted jobs in media) and we had crossed paths once or twice before in the New York media world (including at a podcast party in Brooklyn where I showed her an early version of the cover, which had just been finalized). We also share a number of wonderful close friends.
Shortly after I’d landed in Paris that trip, we’d had a drink and I brought her a galley of ENJOY (and may have suggested that one way to enjoy Paris is to take your clothes off frequently). Then we had another drink. Then we had breakfast. Then I came over for dinner. So many good decisions.
Some quick, fabulous backstory: In 2023, Susanna did the thing so many women dream about doing: She sold her Brooklyn apartment, gave away most of what she owned, kissed her (grown) kids good-bye and relocated to Paris. By herself. On y va. You can read all about how and why she did it here. It’s a good story.
And now here we all were. Around the table that night were a group of women, ages forty-ish to eighty, many of whom were or had been professional writers; artists; photographers; foodies. All expats, though many had been in Paris for decades. Smart, encouraging, wise, chic, funny, kind. While they were all new to me, Susanna had known many of them since Time magazine had posted her in Paris in her twenties. Wine, cheese, smart conversation, advice, music, Paris. Life.
If you’re thinking, wow this sounds like a dream, you are correct! Both of us came away thinking so, too. And it was here the seeds for The Blue Hour were planted.
This coming April, Susanna and I are running a weeklong workshop in Paris. We wanted to capture the spirit of that dinner party and are calling our workshop The Blue Hour after the French phrase l’heure bleu:
They say this is the time between dog and wolf – entre chien et loup. It’s when one transitions from the domestic, responsible, and contained to something more powerful, less contained. We believe this is a potent analogy for the kind of storytelling that comes from moving from the recognized power of youth toward the immense freedom and daring that comes with age.
We tried to create a workshop that we ourselves would want to attend. Smart, useful, encouraging and fun. But also one that would appeal to people with a sense of adventure and a desire for a certain amount of independence. It will be held in the mornings so that in the afternoons and evenings you — and whomever you meet or bring with you — can have Paris to yourself. Susanna says she can always see the change in guests after she sends them out into the streets by themselves for a few days. C’est vrai!
You can read all the details about The Blue Hour here, including early bird rates (in case you think this might make a good present). We’re really excited about it and look forward to hopefully seeing some of you there.
Now! While we’re on the subject of writing, and for those of you who can’t yet make it to Paris, I’m also offering two workshops this winter on zoom.
The first is a Personal Essay Workshop in January. A good personal essay is incredibly powerful and figuring out where the personal belongs (and doesn’t) is key.
The second is a workshop in How to Write a Book Proposal, an art form unto itself. This one’s in February. I get a lot of questions about how the book sausage gets made (or how to make one) and this will aim to cover the basics of most proposals.
You can find all the details for both workshops here, including early bird rates.
I’m also taking on select clients for larger editorial projects. I’ve worked on a number of books at varying stages, with high-profile, NYT best-selling authors. If you have sold a book and are looking for editorial support, I’m happy to talk.
Finally! Here’s a quick, mostly practical, gift guide of things for yourself (though, I’d argue, enjoyment is always practical vis-à-vis the aforementioned offerings).
I’m not on the receiving end of many Christmas presents. This is not a cry for help. I’m on the receiving end of a lot of love, and kindness, and generosity, especially this year. And food. My friends and the people they married are great cooks. (Also, earlier this year, I was gifted this extraordinary dress. I mean.) But actual Christmas presents from other people are in short supply, and have been since everyone began buying for children (though, my sister never fails to get me bath bombs and Canadian chocolate…which, what else could one want. Truly.) Hence, I’ve learned to buy for myself, and I’m quite good at it, even when I don’t actually buy! Knowing what you want and how to get it is a top tier life skill.
With that in mind, I looked around my apartment for things I routinely get myself, and then re-buy. Mostly practical. Entirely, tried, tested and true.
Ink+Volt Planner. I mentioned this last week and, as suspected, I did go back and buy it. I buy it every year so why not save the $5. The one I just ordered is in Indigo (I decided this was the color of wealth, which I’d like to manifest in 2025. Every little bit helps?). It’s my sixth one. I enjoy the front of book exercises that ask you to to break down your goals into six different parts, and then detail your action plan. I like having to think through my five-year-plan, even though I’ve listed “buy an apartment” every time and am no closer to that reality than I was six planners ago. (Alas, it’s killing me a bit right now that my dream, “Rarely Available!” studio in all of NYC, of which I possess an encyclopedic knowledge of floor plans, is currently on the market, and for a good price by NYC standards. I don’t know what the five-year plan for generational wealth is, but I will add it to my to-do list.) I like writing things down on paper with a pen. I also like that there’s very little om shanti shanti about this planner (there’s a bit, but it’s manageable). It’s mostly just straightforward planning.
*I also went back and bought the Pattern Diffuser after an important Zoom rescheduled early the other morning and, having just gotten out of the shower, I quickly dried my hair with the nine dollar hair dryer I use to saran wrap my windows in the winter and ended up looking like I’d stuck my finger in a light socket.
Nordace Backpack. I am not a backpack person. At all. So please understand when I say I love this backpack I really mean it. It’s the best bag I’ve ever owned (not including the vintage Chanel quilted flap bag I once purchased as an “investment.”) People have bought this backpack on my recommendation and they also love it. It is sleek and minimalist (I have it in black). I use it for traveling (it actually fits quite a lot!). It has a band in the back that slides over my roller bag handle and holds it there. I like that there are no front pockets, just side zippers. And that there’s a “secret” pocket in back for my passport. And that it has a clip for keys so you don’t have to fish. It also has a USB charger that I’ve never actually used but is probably handy.
Nuxe. I’ve already told you about my Nuxe Oil dependency. And even though this is a gifts for you list, I’d also note Nuxe makes a great host/birthday gift. I often stock up in Paris and then give them in lieu of wine or flowers. Nuxe used to be significantly cheaper in Paris but the pricing seems to have evened out and you can get it on the US site for not that much more. I put it on my hair, on my damp skin, and in my bath. I keep a small one for travel. Like I said, dependency.
Dr. Teal’s Foaming Bubble Bath. You already know this.
Lipstick. As you know from the great lipstick rabbit hole of 2024 I love a red lip. If you are new to the red lip game, however, and not quite sure, MAC has trios of mini lipsticks in varying shades. I keep a mini Ruby Woo in my wallet at all times (they don’t do my all-time OG Russian Red in mini).
Hoka Runners. I’m admittedly new to Hokas but I already own two pairs. The Clifton and the Bondi. I think my feet widened over Covid and these work wonders. I rarely recommend runners because they’re so personal, but these were game changers. Are they attractive? I leave that to you, except to say, style has less to do with what you wear, and everything to do with believing in what you wear.
Vintage Hermès Scarf. I know what you’re thinking, but this is very practical! I keep one in the side pocket of my Nordace at all times. It snaps up an outfit immediately .And everyone looks good in an Hermes scarf. Literally. It doesn’t even matter what the scarf looks like. Hermes scarves believe in themselves. Plus, silk is very warm. Also, they last forever. 1stDibs has a good selection. The RealReal does, too, for slightly lower prices.
One Big Book. I tried to read a lot this summer. And some of my most satisfying reads were the long ones. There’s something about investing your mind in a lengthy story; it stretches and consumes it in ways I think will be increasingly important in whatever is coming our way. Lonesome Dove and Life After Life, in particular, are still with me. I’ve just started The Bee Sting. Related: Signed copies of ENJOY are at The Strand, which I believe ships internationally. Bonus: Rebecca Carroll’s book, I Know What the Red Clay Looks Like, which I talked about here, was just reissued with a whole new slate of writers added. Highly recommend.
Your own Odalisque: 20x200 did prints of the incredible Boucher painting that’s featured on the cover of my book (and in the actual book) and there are still some available. While you’re there, take a look around at all their other amazing offerings.
You made it! Go take a well-earned hot bath.
I want to hang out with you in Paris! xx
Sounds amazing!