I realize that over a span of six years while working on three different novels (all published as of September this year) that for one who thought that she could only write in her Vermont studio, circumstances led me to write in many rooms, including places in Europe.
I've decided to create a series of blogs about the rooms that have been creative havens for me. Every space was offered, and I am overcome with gratitude when I think of the kindness of my friends.
The first room I want to write about is my room in Paris. I have been going to stay with my friend Colette Buret for decades. Our children are now in their 30s, and long out of our homes, and so when in Paris I have the room that used to be Colette's son's. Here's a photo:
The room has a single bed to the left, and a large French window above. I liked to lie in bed late at night and watch the sky. Below the window is an open courtyard. So, there is a bed, and a big desk, above which shelves are loaded with books, paintings and sketches of Simon's. A small closet was on my right, and a small chest of drawers was against that same wall. All very simple.
I wrote much of the third novel in my Vengeance in the Vineyard series, BURGUNDY: Twisted Roots, here. I went to Paris in October of 2015, and then journeyed to Burgundy for three weeks, and returned to write in Paris in mid-November. I returned to Vermont at the end of January, 2016.
I would wake in the morning and check emails, then join "Coco" in the large (vast in comparison to other city kitchens) kitchen for a bowl of coffee and bread with butter and jam, and sometimes a yogurt. After, I would go off to write and she washed dishes and took her minature pincer, Oscar, for a walk. I wrote until noon, when I would be aware of Coco bustling around in the kitchen. We would enjoy dejeuner together, and after that I would either return to my room to write, or sometimes we decided to go to a gallery.
This was our schedule day after day.
Here I am with Colette; we were in Vermont (where I have a home) when this was taken:
Next I will write about staying in Burgundy with Nancy. Please don't hesitate to write me with questions or comments.