Wednesday French Inspiration

 Some of my new readers wonder why French Inspiration?

So I am taking you back to the beginning

From the archives of Seriously Amber Lynae

 I love my husband a little more now than I did before.  I have more reasons to love him the longer I know him. He is a wonderful man. But why have I decided that I love him more now? why am I telling you in my post? "Because he gave me the world. Not really, but he gave me a stamp in my passport." He took me to Paris (and various other beautiful parts of France.)






It is strange to go somewhere you have never been and feel so at home. I could only understand about 80% of what was being said; could respond at the level of a 15 month old (maybe); a wallet was stolen; and my feet ached from walking ALL day. I LOVED IT. Paris is always a good idea. I can't wait to go back. The beauty and grace of the country is undeniable.

And the pastries..... oh I miss them very much. We had a wonderful boulangerie at the corner from our apartment with wonderful selection. I think I ate more chocolate during my stay in France than I have in the past 4 months combined. How can you not love a place when you are doped up on chocolate? Seriously I would go back tomorrow if I had the opportunity. Any takers? Who wants to take me to France? I must admit that this is the first time I've travel off of the American continent. I am certain there is a lot of the world that I would love.  Paris has held my heart since childhood and part of my heart shall always remain in Paris.

So there you have it in order to relive Paris and France

every week I relate some of the thousands of photos 

to my life and writing.

Seriously in Real Utah Life and Storymakers Photo Evidence

Debbie, Jenn, Jenni, Yours Truly, and Meagan

 I think it may be time that I finally put up some photos from my Olive Garden Luncheon.  It was a small gathering that took place April 17th at Olive Garden.  A lot of last minute plans, and sickness kept the group from being bigger.  There is always next time for those of you who missed it.  IT was a lot of fun. And I even brought a treat for everyone.  This group was so much fun. You should have seen Jenn's face when she thought I very casually talked about my baby's fatal fall. (Mentioned halfway through the linked post.)  She may or may not have heard the whole conversation.  I will have to make sure to have some more bloggers' luncheons when I'm in Utah again.

I also was lucky enough to attend LDS Storymakers the following Friday were I met a lot of people in real life.  Like Elizabeth, LT Elliot, Terresa, Melanie J, Kym, Alexes, CK Bryant, and Carolyn V.

I may or may not have done some of the following:

Attended a class by Bree and said a quick hello to her.

Heard Howard from writing excuses talking and knew it was
him before I saw him. Then proceed to tell him so.

Stopped James in the corridor to tell him I LOVED The Maze Runner.
And demand he keep writing.

Forced Aprilynn to stop and take a picture with me.  And told her I love Spells and Wings.

It was great visiting Utah.  There were a lot of people I would have loved to meet that I didn't So it only proves that I must come back again.

Wednesday French Inspiration.

La Joconde aka Mona Lisa

Through the years Mona has been speculated over, stolen, recovered, splashed with acid, warped, cracked, stoned, mugged, passed around, spoofed, and always adored.  Needless to say, she has quite a backstory.  This is what makes her so special and an irresistable stop in the Louvre.  She is not a larger than life painting like some in the same museum.  She could easily be displayed in the average home. 

She can teach every writer a good lesson.  Your characters don't need to be larger than life.  They don't need to be perfect.  They take time to develop.  They need a good backstory and some mystery.  When properly developed your characters will not only be irresistable and adored, but they will also be spoofed and hated by some.  They will be real to the readers.

Do you have a Mona Lisa character?

Wednesday French Inspiration

I couldn't find the history of this piece.  When I passed it in the Louvre I instantly loved it.  Recently I have felt a particular connection with it.  My husband has been away since March.  When we are apart I miss him like crazy.  My daughter misses him.  Our house, our lives are incomplete without him in our home.  Yesterday, we were reunited once again. 

What completes your life?

Wednesday French Inspiration

El Rancho Tex-Mex Bar and Grill, Versailles, France

On our way back to the train station in Versailles, our group passed El Rancho.  We all laughed at the thought of the French having a Tex-Mex bar and grill.  I realized later that it isn't such a bad idea.  In a market that is saturated with French cuisine (it is France after all), Tex-Mex would really stand out.  Of course not everyone if going to be dying to eat at a Tex-Mex grill in France.   However, the is a market for it:  those who have moved and want a taste of home, those who want to try something new, those who really love tex-mex,...etc.

Yet I think that our initial reaction says something about many aspects of life.  No matter how you decorate your house; write your book;  drive your car; or wear your clothes you will always have some people who just don't get it.  I think it is when you stop trying to please everyone and start trying to be true to yourself that you learn to be truly happy. 

Is your book like a Tex-Mex restaurant in the middle of France?

Wednesday French Inspiration

Globe found in the Dauphin’s large study at Versailles

In 1781 Louis XVI commissioned Mancelle to make the celestial and terrestrial globe, enclosing a second globe featuring land and underwater reliefs, for his son’s education.   This is a very fascinating piece to me for a few reasons.  Firstly, it is interesting to see how much they knew about geography of the world.  Secondly, this globe is huge... I keep expecting it to be one of  those furniture pieces with a minibar inside.   

Like most things it gets me thinking.  Whenever I see a globe I always enjoy searching out for my current location, the places I have been, and the places I long to be.   As I spin a globe, I can hear the song It's a Small World After All.  Walt really had something with that ride he designed.  While at times our world seems so huge other times we each have had those moments when we realize just how small it is.  No matter your geography we all have basic human needs and wants. One of the wants I constantly see in myself and others is the need for acceptance.  

I can admit that being a person who has always enjoyed participating in and partaking of the arts has made it sometimes hard to find my niche.   And since I have started my writing journey finding those I connect with has been done in the blogosphere.   Well during my unannounced/unplanned absence from my blog I got to live in my niche.  I attended LDStorymakers.  I felt at home with people who have a passion for the same things as myself.   It may have been my first writer's conference but it will certainly will not be my last.  My only regret is that I didn't get to attend both days and meet more people.  

I hope you know where to find your niche.

Winner of their very own...

...signed copy of Summer in Paris by Michele Ashman Bell has been chosen by random.org. 

 And just who was it that they saw fit to choose? 

 Melanie J

To get your signed copy email Michele Ashman Bell at  micheleabell@gmail.com 

with you information and how you would like your winnings personalized.

Congrats.