FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

Ever noticed how some people are having a day at the beach...while you are scrambling up the rocky coastline? In today's story, I’m feeling crabby in the rush to the finish line to publish my next book…

TODAY'S WORD: ABOUTISSEMENT

    : completion, result, outcome

A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse

I said I wasn't going to write this week, not with the run-up to my deadline—or the aboutissement of my manuscript, including the last-minute search for photos, typos, and peccadilloes—oh my!

This is a crucial moment in the production of my book, A Year in a French Life—the moment when everything must be triple-checked (spelling), swapped (photos) and tied up (loose ends and, while we’re here, tie up the feisty writer whose arms and legs are flapping in anticipation of what could possibly go wrong).

On Friday, days away from my publishing deadline, I realized I had not turned in the back cover—in fact I had not so much as conceptualized it… Monica, the cover designer, was now asking for some pertinent information: text (what kind of blurb?), shelving category (“Travel”? “Memoir”? “France–Social Life & Customs”?), the ISBN, and the price. But I can’t determine the price until I know the printing cost! 

With my head spinning—What? Where? Who? How much?—I felt like a swimmer on the final lap, suddenly without goggles. Before sinking, I decided to pause and watch a movie, hoping for a fresh perspective.

Have you seen Nyad? The film about 64-year-old Diana Nyad who tries to swim from Cuba to Florida? Following each failed attempt, she dives back in, braving the dark waters, the sharks, the nausea until some deadly méduses threaten to undermine everything. Undeterred, she suits up in a special protective skin and mask and soldiers on in what are clearly impossible, downright painful circumstances. No matter how the story ended (I’m trying not to give it away…) Diana is a powerful example of following through, win or lose.

After the film, I procrastinated further with a walk. When rain began pouring down, drenching my clothes, a voice in my head warned, Turn back, you might catch a cold. Then you’d really delay this project! But then I remembered Diana, fully immersed in frigid waters, battling a storm at sea. In the dark of the night, as towering waves shoved her back, she pressed on until the lights of Florida sparkled on the horizon. Delirious, she still had fifteen hours ahead of her to reach la ligne d’arrivée!

Around that time, she began floundering—swimming in all directions! A kind of human short-circuiting where left is right, up is down, and the machine is disintegrating. That is about how I feel now, faced with tying up several loose ends relating to my book project: I’m becoming disoriented.

“Write a list, Mom!” I hear my daughter’s voice as I carry on through the rain. She is right, just note down every little thing and begin checking it off! (I might note down “breakfast” because I forgot it this morning which partly explains why I’m so crabby today.)

Soaked, I finished my walk and returned home to my own marathon. If Diana can attempt the Cuba to Florida crossing five times, I can go over the details of this book une énième fois.

Faster than you can say “finish line” in French, the back cover came together and all the remaining photos for the interior were turned in. I still needed a fresh pair of eyes or two to catch any coquilles, or typos. My sister, Heidi, in Denver, has offered to look it over, and Agnès, in Marseille, too. And there’s Sara from Boston, now in Paris, still waiting to do a final proofread after a stroll down Rue de Rivoli. Tee-hee! (I had to add tee-hee, to rhyme with Rivoli…cuz I’m a little delirious! Make that giddy!)

Ouf. Like our waterlogged swimmer, I’m beginning to see the lights on the horizon, but one more call to my sister just to let the jitters out.

“And even if there are a few typos in my book,” I tell Heidi over the phone, “it won’t be the end of the world.”

“No, it won’t be the end of the world,” Heidi assures me.

I hang up the phone, click open my word file and rub my eyes. I’m tired but this sure beats swimming with the sharks!

*** Spoiler Alert***

When Diana Nyad reached the shores of Florida she was able to speak despite exhaustion. “Never ever give up,” she said. “You’re never too old to chase your dream,” adding, “It looks like a solitary sport, but it’s a team.”  

Thanks to the team at TLC Book Design, who are working behind the scenes, and for all those who helped and are helping in these last moments before A Year in a French Life is published. Let’s remember this popular French expression, next time a goal seems overwhelming: ce n’est pas la mer à boire. It’s not the sea to drink, not the ocean to swallow. For me, a bunch of raindrops made this project easier to assimilate.

Finally, there will always be doubts when reaching the finish line. Some, including myself, have asked, “Why would anybody buy your book when they have already read the blog online?”

I trust readers will buy it for the same reason we watch movies a second time or listen to songs over and over or return to a restaurant to order the same comforting meal. I hope you will see my stories in the same way—and come back to read again. 



***COMING SOON!***

COMMENTS/CORRECTIONS
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FRENCH VOCABULARY

Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce these French words…as the Argentine vineyard crew revels in the background

l’aboutissement (m) = completion

la méduse = jellyfish 

la ligne d’arrivée = finish line

une énième fois = the umpteenth time

une coquille = typo

ouf = phew

ce n’est pas la mer à boire = it’s not the end of the world (literally, "it’s not the sea to drink")

At Mugel Park in La Ciotat

REMERCIEMENTS
An ocean of thanks to the readers who sent in a donation after my last post. Your support means so much and helps keep this journal alive and thriving—I couldn’t do it without you!

Jean P.
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Karen M.
Bianca S.
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Gary and Lou M.

I leave you with the back covers of the last three books. They each have their own style. First French 'Essais' , available here, has more marketing, while Blossoming in Provence, below, highlights readers' comments. 

Blossoming in Provence, published in 2011

Words in a French Life, available here, is shelved in the travel category. A passage from the book makes up this back cover.