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Revealed: October ninth, 2023
Meet Whitney Cubbison, creator of Will There Be Wine? (Credit score: Kelly Anderson Pictures)
Paris has an simple attract that captivates the hearts and imaginations of individuals world wide. Its romantic ambiance, iconic landmarks and wealthy historical past make it a dream vacation spot for a lot of. Whereas not everybody can bodily be in Paris always, there is a fantastic solution to hold the spirit of the town alive – by books. Immerse your self within the magic of Paris—its streets and its tales—by delving into the pages of a well-crafted novel.
Talking of novels that provide an genuine style of the Parisian expertise, we had the privilege to take a seat down with Whitney Cubbison, the creator of Will There Be Wine?, a guide that gives a singular perception into the lifetime of an expat in Paris. Be a part of us as we dive into the inspiration behind Whitney’s novel and her private reference to this enchanting metropolis!
Paris Excellent: Dwelling in Paris is a dream for therefore many individuals. Might you share the place you are initially from and the journey that led you to make Paris your house?
Whitney: I used to be born and raised in Houston, Texas. Sure … I’m Whitney Houston. (French folks assume that’s hilarious.) My journey to Paris mirrors very carefully the journey of the primary character, Austen, in my guide Will There Be Wine? I began taking French in center college as a result of dwelling in Texas, everybody else took Spanish and I wished to be a insurgent. Then in my sophomore yr of highschool, I had the chance to do a brief trade with a highschool in Excursions, the place I stayed with essentially the most fantastic household who made me need to proceed my research, merely to remain in good contact with them. When it was time to declare a significant at college, I made a decision to review French as a result of I used to be nonetheless of the “practicality be damned” college of thought and determined finding out one thing you really liked was a greater plan. I spent my junior yr of faculty finding out overseas in Lyon, and I made a decision then that sooner or later I’d come again to reside and work in Paris.
I graduated from UCLA in 1998 with my French diploma, through the tech growth, and determined to maneuver to San Francisco with my associates. I bought a job coding SAP apps for PricewaterhouseCoopers, a consulting firm determined for builders and smart sufficient to know that should you can study one language (French), you may study one other (code). I rapidly determined I favored expertise however didn’t like coding, so I transitioned into tech PR/communications and ultimately was employed by Microsoft in Seattle. Upon studying that Microsoft’s worldwide HQ was in Paris, I got down to get a switch right here, which occurred in 2009 after I was employed to be the communications director/speechwriter for the pinnacle of Microsoft’s worldwide gross sales staff. And anecdotally, within the first month after arriving, I went again to Excursions and had dinner with that fantastic household and advised them that they’d modified the course of my life. We’re nonetheless in contact to today.
What impressed you to weave your private experiences in Paris into your novel?
Actually, I simply had so many actually horrible dates right here that after I’d inform my ridiculous tales to associates, they repeatedly advised me that I needed to write a guide. Sooner or later, I made a decision to imagine them, so right here we’re! Generally, the reality is stranger than fiction, which in my case turned out to be an important start line for a novel. There’s undoubtedly fiction in there too, however I wish to say that the guide is “deeply impressed by actual occasions.”
What facets of the town’s allure have resonated with you essentially the most? Might you spotlight a number of the facets about dwelling in Paris that you just maintain significantly pricey?
As an American, I’m fascinated by the historical past of Paris. The US is so younger, comparatively, that I’m awed by how a lot life this metropolis has seen over the ages. I learn a guide about ten years in the past known as Paris: The Novel by Edward Rutherfurd which had a quote that I like a lot: “But previous Paris was nonetheless there, round nearly each nook, together with her reminiscences of centuries previous, and of lives relived. Reminiscences as haunting as an previous, half-forgotten tune that, when performed once more—in one other age, in one other key, whether or not on harp or hurdy-gurdy—remains to be the identical. This was her enduring grace.” I believe these few sentences do such a beautiful job of summing up the sensation I’ve strolling round Paris and being steeped in its historical past.
There are such a lot of extra issues that I like about dwelling right here, however right here’s a brief record.
- It’s essentially the most stunning metropolis on Earth. I’ve visited 72 nations, so I really feel like I can say that with authority. Strolling round Paris and absorbing its magnificence merely by no means will get previous.
- The wine and the cheese. 🍷❤️😊
- Working right here, one has permission to (and in reality one is predicted to) flip off. It’s late August as I write this, and Paris remains to be empty. Everybody has spent the final month on the seaside, disconnected. I noticed this hilarious (for all of the fallacious causes) factor on social media lately evaluating a European out of workplace message to an American one. One stated, “I’m out of the workplace till September. Please resend your message after September 1 and I’ll get again to you as quickly as I can.” The opposite stated, “I’m having kidney surgical procedure this morning however ought to be again on-line within the afternoon. Apologies prematurely for any delay in my response.” Clearly, it’s a bit exaggerated, however work-life steadiness is one thing folks take far more significantly right here, which I actually respect.
- General, I discover it simpler to reside a wholesome way of life right here than within the US. For one, I don’t have a automotive and consequently, merely transfer my physique extra. And the standard of the meals right here in glorious. You inherently eat much less junk. I purchased an condo on a avenue that has a farmers’ market thrice per week that’s actually proper exterior my entrance door, so it’s stupidly straightforward to eat contemporary, prime quality meals.
- And final however not least, I like the expat way of life. I’ve French associates too, however the expats are inclined to gravitate to 1 one other, and there’s one thing fantastic about being surrounded by different individuals who have actively chosen to uproot their lives and transfer to Paris. Dwelling in LA, everybody works in leisure. Dwelling in San Francisco, everybody works in tech. In Paris, the expats you meet come from in every single place, from many various walks of life, to do many various issues, so I all the time really feel like I’m studying about one thing new from this delightfully numerous neighborhood.
Will There Be Wine? What an important guide title! Are you able to inform us a bit concerning the significance of this title in relation to the story?
It began as a joke with one among my girlfriends right here – the one who impressed the character known as Daphne. Sooner or later we had been out ingesting wine someplace, and she or he stated, “In the event that they ever make a film about our life, it is going to be known as Will There Be Wine?” It was spot on, so together with her blessing, it grew to become the title of the guide. It’s a rom-com concerning the courting misadventures of an American expat in Paris, nevertheless it’s additionally about fabulous feminine friendships, and in my expertise, each of these issues (dates and time with girlfriends) go very well with wine. Additionally, she could have been doing a little early manifesting of a film deal for me. A woman can dream, proper?!
In your guide, you point out numerous fantastic locations in Paris, some fashionable and others lesser identified. Do you will have any suggestions for our readers relating to Paris?
Completely! I put collectively a Google Maps Assortment of all of the bars and eating places that Austen and her buddies go to all through Will There Be Wine? Within the assortment, you may additionally discover a small snippet from the guide about what scene takes place at every of the spots. The record consists of, unsurprisingly, lots of my private favorites, so I hope everybody finds one or two in right here that additionally they love. Discover the map right here: Austen Keller’s Paris Favorites – Google Maps.
Might you share the place readers can get their palms in your guide?
When you’re in Paris, it is accessible on the Pink Wheelbarrow Bookstore proper off Luxembourg Gardens. When you’re not in Paris or just favor a Kindle model, you’ll find it on Amazon: Will There Be Wine?
Reflecting in your time in Paris, in what methods has this expertise shifted your views? What’s one piece of recommendation you’ll give our readers earlier than coming to Paris?
Any time you step out of your consolation zone, you study issues about your self, and shifting overseas undoubtedly places you in that mode. This can be a quote from Austen in Chapter 22 of Will There Be Wine? the place she’s chatting with a good friend about precisely this matter: “Whenever you’re surrounded by nothing acquainted, you must study to depend on your instincts. And when these show appropriate, your confidence goes up and also you simply grow to be extra positive of your home on this planet.”
As for recommendation, I’d suggest not over-programming your time right here. Among the best issues to do in Paris is simply to wander and see the place the town takes you. It’s vital to go away a little bit of time for the surprising. Permit your self to show down that avenue that appears so cute and see the place it leads you. Pop into the pastry store and take a look at one among no matter calls your title. Seize a chair at that sidewalk café that’s so charming you simply can’t resist it and order a glass of wine. Additionally in Chapter 22, Austen takes this piece of recommendation to coronary heart: “Reside with no excuses. Journey with no regrets.”
Escape to Paris with Will There Be Wine?
A giant merci to Whitney for sharing her Paris inspiration! By her private anecdotes and fiction impressed by actual occasions, you may vicariously wander the streets of Paris, really feel its historical past and immerse your self in its distinctive allure. As you flip the pages of her guide, you may end up transported to the romantic landscapes and intriguing tales that Paris gives. So, as you dream about your subsequent journey to the Metropolis of Mild, why not take pleasure in a Parisian escape by the ability of literature? We hope you take pleasure in studying Will There Be Wine? and let or not it’s an exquisite prelude to your subsequent journey in Paris.
And should you’re nonetheless looking for a trip rental in your dream getaway, be sure you discover our assortment at Paris Excellent. Till then, glad studying and bon voyage!
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