Well, I don’t know where to start with all this mess. The blook business is ramping up and my publisher and I have been emailing each other every five minutes. The professionally edited manuscript is on its way across the ocean to me and I can’t imagine the time it’s going to take to craft something fit to sit on shelf at Chapters. Never mind, I’ll get there. I’m not worried about a little hard work (says the woman who lounges for a living).
Here’s what I am a little concerned about. I got one email, a very cheery email, informing me that I will be doing interviews, print, maybe the CBC as part of the promotion effort for the blook. Oh my, interviews. I hadn’t really thought about that. So after Neil talked me off the ceiling, I began to be convinced that it might be possible to not stuff my foot in my mouth for 3-5 minutes. Okay, I can do that, I’ve done radio before. Granted I found it easy to talk about adolescent depression and suicide; at least then I had some expertise to fall back on.
Then I got another email, even more cheery than the first (the words used were Woot! Woot!), informing me that I will be doing another interview. On live television. Oh. My. Holy. Jaysus. What if swear? What if I throw up? Can I wear sweatpants? If not, then what? WHAT?! I have nothing to wear, NOTHING. I have a pair of cool boots. So far, my only solution is to wear nothing but boots so nobody will pay attention to what I’m saying. The good news is I’ll have a couple of months to imagine every disaster scenario possible.
So here’s the dilemma, apart from my potential wardrobe malfunction and a tendency to say whatever pops into my head whenever I feel like it, these interviewers will all ask me the same question: What is your book about? The obvious answer is my arse. But seriously, some of you out there are writers. And if you’ve been reading this blog, you have the gist of the book. Give me a one liner. What’s Finding Me In France about for you?
I always though the title really summed it up! But I can sympathise – I’ve been invited to a swanky London publisher-and-agent party, four years – four years – after leaving my job as a psychologist, and downsizing to the country. My wardrobe for my new career is elasticated waists, paint spattered T shirts and trainers. Brushing hair is optional. My husband’s old sweaters are good in cold weather. I don’t even fit my remaining work clothes – I have writer’s arse big time. I’m considering paying an actor to represent me in all things public. There must be agencies for this sort of thing?
But I must say – congratulations on the book, I’m sure it will be hilarious.
I hear you. I never thought of hiring someone to be me. I’ll give Jamie-Lee Curtis a call and see if she’s busy in April and May.
Dean knows Jamie, but seriously, you are gorgeous yourself! Have faith!
You guys crack me up, you know everybody! Tell Steven Spielberg to call me…
Not good friends with him though.. working on others!
I imagine your experience in France much like what an alien would feel if visiting Earth. You see things with a clarity that many of us lose because we’re so immersed in our own stuff. That’s what this blog is to me. The opportunity to see things from a different angle.
“Finding me in France is about wanting to find happiness. The bizarre thing is how much crazy of an idea that is to so many. Isn’t that the point?”
Will you please, please share your videos on here?? Please?
and cursing will probably get you more publicity so i wouldn’t sweat it. (as will throwing up on camera…but the cursing will look cooler.)
Finding me in France is the aftermath of fulfilling a dream.
And aftermath that involves galette des rois, scarves, and seventy pound chocolate bears.
Sorry– “an” aftermath . . .
For me its about “Living the fantasy”…!!!
For me, your blog (and your choice to change your life) is the embodiment of one of my favourite quotes from Ferris Bueller: “Life moves pretty fast sometimes. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it”. I left my hitherto successful but shallow corporate life last year on the same basis!
As for what to wear? Speaking as a professional dog-walker, who refuses to slip into wearing bad jeans, ancient trainers and a dirty anorak, I’d go for fantastic dark jeans (skinny or flare, according to your preference), very cool boots, a well-cut white shirt, one piece of great jewellery, man sized watch, stylish scarf and great lipstick. And if it’s chilly I’d add a vintage velvet blazer in a jewel colour. But that’s just me – it may sounds dreadful to you. In my head it looks good though :-)
Sounds good although they say never wear white on TV
Oh – who knew?! Ok – in that case I’d substitute in a beautiful silk shirt, probably silver or gun metal grey.
Tech the white t shirt with some tea! Ashley has some great taste!
If you wore a scarf, that splash of colour would be next to your face, though, and a white shirt would just be the background for it, wouldn’t it?
I think “the scarf” will go great with the boots, actually it will go great with anything. I think your life now is about “living the dream” and having the “guts” to make it a reality. You’re a knockout kid. Break a leg.
I’m trying to unearth my inner marketer and having no luck. That stupid woman is always disappearing when I need her most.
I’ll take a stab at it anyway.
“The blook is about taking a risk to find the life I’d imagined. What I found was so much more….”
Yes, about taking a risk to find an alternate life. Go to your “about” page and your first post “Grace” —-they sum it up so well.
Yes, I think you have said it so well there. I love independent clause’s blurb below, but if it’s something you actually say, I’m with Teri.
I HATE coming up with those one-liners. I’m fine with blabbing on the page but the idea of all eyes focusing on MOI? Awful. I have no idea what to suggest to you. I can’t believe I am appearing at a literary conference this summer. Help!
For me, your blog is about the courage to ask yourself what you really want out of life and to do it, rather than just stick with what is safe and pleasing to others. In mental health we preach that to our patients but rarely follow our own advice.
Bingo! Tanya’s comment really sums up this blog for me, but I would also add……..when you find out what the definition of happiness is to you, do not wait until the last twilight years of your retirement to live that dream. Make it happen today, live in the present, which is really what you’ve done, Bobbi.
Okay, I AGREE and could not say it better! You could wear a bag btw and still be fascinating!
I agree with Tanya.
AND … it must have taken a boatload of courage to leave your well-paid (I’m guessing?), well-established professional job to move to the other side of the world and feel your way around life there, trying to find the dream you dreamed in Canada. From reading your blog, I think it would be true to say that your original plan quickly changed, several times, and is still evolving. But the overall reach is still for that dream! Listen, if you could do that, you can do a few interviews, lady!
I’m a supporter of this one too, it’s a good fit.
I had a good laugh at “tongue tied”…very honest and funny:) A good one liner on what Finding Me in France means to me, the reader?…We’re all finding Bobbie in France!! can’t wait to read your book..hope its layman friendly…
It’s as layman friendly as you can get!!
It’s about looking for the meaning of life inside the filling of a chocolate croissant. About a giraffe learning to strut like a poodle, swear in French, tie a silk scarf and live without regret and find a sense of self that is not defined by her profession.
Also, it’s about your arse. Don’t leave that part out.
I’d say that about hits it. Can you say arse on live TV? I hope so.
Yes, that is the essence and your style of writing creates an ambiance that you are sharing your adventure with a huge circle of friends.
I second Averil.
Here’s my contribution: French does what all good writers should do, which is to bring out the humor, beauty, and pain of the everyday. But she does it in France after chucking away a successful psychiatry career. And she writes about it so well, you can’t even hate her.
Independent!! Thanks, coming from you high praise indeed.
A great dose of humor. Please don’t change anything.
Looking forward to seeing you at the blook release.
An honest search to find a fulfilling life. And really – be yourself – that’s why we all love you!
How about you wanted to “work to live and not live to work”. You are going to do great at the interviews! You have the boots and the scarf, what more do you need?!
Hi Bobbi, You “Tongue Tied” Never, not a chance. It’s all about guts, gumption, and grace. Just be yourself, and guaranteed they will see in no time flat the inspiration and humor that we have all grown to love. After all those tv interviews, can “Doyle” and “22 Minutes” be far behind?? You are soo funny.
I am thinking of Jay Leno and such…
It’s one woman’s answer to that perennial question: what’s the worst that can happen if I follow my dream?
Hey!! Nobody has mentioned the newfie connection, which is critical! (in so many ways, right?) It’s your unique accent. I think it MUST be part of your one line summary.
You will do great Bobbi, mainly because you will be speaking from your heart, and also because you rock! It will be fantastic and I can’t wait for all the fanfare.
I can’t come up with a serious one-liner for you, hun, because your sense of humour shines through this blog so much. :)
Whatever happens, I know you’ll be fabulous.