Juju Infusion: Episode Ten

Juju Infusion - inspiration, fun and adventure for creative types, this week in Paris!

Quick links for things mentioned in this episode: 

Forum des Images

Shakespeare and Company bookstore literary festival

In this episode, I share specific things I'm doing in Paris to research my novel, Chasing Sylvia Beach. Sylvia Beach was an American woman who owned a bookstore, Shakespeare and Company in Paris from 1919 - 1942. She's my heroine in many ways and I've devoted over ten years to this novel. It's nearly done; this will be the last revision I'll do, I swear! 

When I'm in Paris I love to wander around and take in the beauty, charm and unexpected juju that's abundant here. In this episode I share bits of my days in Paris. 

Be sure to leave a comment, as I'm gathering Parisian goodies that I'll be giving away to commenters. (I'll draw names at random from all the Paris videos when I return to the US.)

As an extra treat, I've gathered a few of my favorite songs that evoke Paris. Enjoy my I Love Paris playlist below!

Thanks for watching!

Cynthia

Comments

[Carolyn]

Hi Cynthia,

Episode 10 was a real treat. You look a little different - Cynthia Paris, perhaps? Funny how we ever so slightly yet definitely change appearance when we are in our favourite places.

And thanks for the additional musical treats - you know they'll help me out as I'm writing...

Carolyn.

[Bobbi]

This was delightful. I think you have a gift for video. It's like you've taken us along in your eyes/ears and we're experiencing Paris. I'm so encouraged because I'd like to learn how to shoot video and you said you had to learn the process. The angles and little comments, love 'em. As for the cafe, was that Deux Maggots? Just throwing out the only name I know.

[Cynthia Morris]

Carolyn,
Thank you! I will have to go back and see if I can see the difference!
After your comment, I read this quotation in the novel I am reading:

"You are more and more authentic the more you look like someone you dreamed of being." Pedro Almodovar

Isn't that bizarre? I mean right after I read your comment I read that. Woo! Enjoy the music!

Thanks Bobbi! I appreciate you saying I have a gift for video. I am having fun with it. I always see how things can be better but for now I am going for shooting editing and posting. I will refine my technique later.

I'm a learn as I go kind of person. It's fun for me!

No, that's not the Deux Magots, though I was there this afternoon having a glass of rosé, sketching and working on my novel. Normally I wouldn't go to such a popular place, but I needed to sit in a place where I could see cafe chairs to draw! Thanks for guessing, anyway!

[Elizabeth]

hi

thanks for reminding me of paris...i wish i could be there...feeling restless in colorado and am trying to avoid writing at all costs.

liked all the images from paris, the food, the signs, the jumps.

love you

elizabeth

[Dora]

Another awesome video. Thank you Cynthia!

Totally enjoyed it! Love to walk around Paris
with you!

And...the food...looks totally wonderful!

Great music!

[Jacqui Lofthouse]

Hi Cynthia,

Can't wait to meet you again in Paris next week... you are enticing us over... the festival will be fabulous and wonderful to see Paris through your eyes. In anticipation...

Jacqui

[Anne Doyle]

Merci beaucoup, Cynthia! C'est magnifique!!

J'adore Paris...

Anne

[carl fuermann]

Ceci est mon épisode préféré jusqu'à présent. J'ai aimé tout errant sur Paris avec vous notre guide. Surtout l'entrée secrète dans la cour et la vigne magnifique murs couverts.

Merci pour l'image de Paris Hoopin «Je eçu aujourd'hui!

[Debra DeVilbiss]

Cynthia
Love the tour, love the cafe, love the food - I am vicariously visiting Paris through your eyes... merci!
Deb

[Diane hamburg]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video. Not having been to Paris, this is a wonderful introduction. The way the food is presented, the lovely gardens, the old, old buildings, narrow streets, your enthusiasm = all great. Thank you

[Barbara Techel]

Thank you for the delightful mini vacation... such pure joy for me to watch your adventures in Paris. I know I said it a million times... so add one more to a million... you so inspire me!!

Barbara
PS: LOVE the addition of music on your blog... I'm listening right now and am floating on a cloud.

[Cynthia Morris]

Thanks, everyone! It's really, really fun to capture brief moments of this magnificent city to share with you. It's very playful for me as I do the heavier lifting of the revision of my novel!

Diane, It's really touching to me that you haven't been here and that this is a great introduction for you! This place is magical and I hope to impart that to others!

Jacqui, I feel especially juju-licious that I get to see you next week! Honestly, your coming to Paris was one of the tipping points to encourage me to make the leap!

Glad the music is inspiring! I am very connected to music and it's delightful to share it with you!

More great footage today will make for next week's show! Some serious food juju - a whole episode needs to be devoted just to that!

[Dixie Darr]

Thanks so much for sharing your trip to Paris with us. I especially enjoyed the bonus visit to the Bastille Market and the Madeleine Peyroux musical interlude.

[Michael B]

Awesome video! Thank you so much Cynthia for taking me to Paris with you via video. Being such a Beach-o-phile, taking me into the courtyard of the original Shakespeare & Co. If I have my site history right, that double doorway you went through to access the courtyard was like a vehicle drive or something to the right of the front of the bookshop?

Anyway, I'm jazzed to have been there with you through the miracle of video. Keep the good juju flowing.

Michael

[Cynthia Morris]

Dixie,
Glad you like the videos! I thought it would be fun for others; it's certainly fun for me!

Michael,
Yes, that's the door to the inner courtyard, and it's to the left of the shop.
So glad you're enjoying the videos! It's fun to take little shots to share with you all. I've got a lot more to show!
It's a very fun medium to play with.
Thanks for watching and commenting!

[Laurel Kallenbach]

What a treat to get to research (yet again!) for the novel and work on more revisions in Paris. It must be like an onion--you peel off some new layer every time you visit. Hope the Lyon reunion adds some extra sparkle to the novel.

Nice background music, by the way!

[Sabine Tuzik]

I really felt homesick watching Episode 10 (I'm from Paris but live in DC) and the music OMG I was getting emotional listening to Charles Trenet, OK, he's from my parent's generation, but I could imagine my father singing La Mer ...
You are so inspiring, I love your videos about Paris and Amsterdam and live vicariously through your escapades. Good luck with your research, I can't imagine devoting 10 years++ and 15++ rewrites to a novel. You're giving perseverance a whole new meaning!
A bientot, amuses-toi bien.

[Ibukun]

Hi Cynthia,

Thank you for sharing episode 10. It is inspiring to hear of the persistence of your research. 15th draft is impressive but reminds us not to give up. Paris is full of visually inspiring tidbits, large and small. I giggled at your commentary on the young smoker and awed at the quiet courtyard shut off from the busy, noisy street. Thank you for sharing the sights and sounds.

Ibukun

[Clara]

Clearly, I'm running a bit behind on your posts, but thoroughly enjoying your Paris adventure. I returned from Paris myself two weeks ago and it's fun seeing it through your eyes, as it is learning more about your book.

And since the cafe isn't Les Deux Magots, I'll make a wild guess and pick the cafe across the street, Cafe Flore.