Tuesday, April 22, 2014

What’s a Perfect Place for Readers, Writers and Foodies? Ile de Ré…


Paris, and cities in general, inspire me. City life served as inspiration for my first novel “Paris, Rue des Martyrs” and my second, set for release this fall. But as we prepared for a few days on the Ile de Ré, I had the feeling that a new force was set to drive my creativity.

I had been to this idyllic place off France’s Atlantic coast in the past. Each time, I found it overwhelmingly beautiful, yet I always seemed to be immersed in one writing project or another. My mind wasn’t open to creation.

This time would be different. And it was. I took long walks along the shore, ran through fields of lawn daisies, rubbed shoulders with the “cheese producing” goats at a farm, browsed through antique books, shopped for local produce at the lovely open-air markets… All this without other preoccupations. All this with an observant eye.




The Ile de Ré offers many unforgettable surprises for those who take the time to observe…

I didn’t expect to see blooms on the famous “roses trémières” that climb up the striking green-shuttered white houses. They are an emblem of the island in all of its splendor. The image spells summertime, and April is a bit early… Still, with a hopeful heart, I roamed through the villages looking left and right. And victory: I discovered one!


On my first visit to the island a few years ago, an evening walk brought me face to face with lovely little glowworms. My first ever glowworm encounter.

And the island offers many delights for those who take the time to taste...

I’m convinced that the best melons on earth are grown on the Ile de Ré. It is as if the saltiness of the air amplifies their sweetness. Melons aren’t in season until July, unfortunately, but April is the perfect time for the famous Ile de Ré potatoes. And I was sure to eat more than my share. Along with the local “Fleur de Ré” goat cheese. The island is foodie heaven.


And all of these experiences make this wonderful place heaven for writers too.



I returned from the Ile de Ré with the scent of salt in my hair, the images of roses and the seaside in my mind and inspiration for a novel in my writing notebook. If only I could return to the Ile de Ré to write it!

But no, it’s back to reality and the multitude of tasks that I must juggle as a new writer: continuing to promote “Paris, Rue des Martyrs,” editing two other manuscripts that I completed over the past several years...

So I say to myself: Should I make time to start this new novel that I wrote in my mind as I explored the beauty of the Ile de Ré? Wouldn’t I be spoiling myself a bit? It almost would be like allowing myself another vacation, a return to the island in my heart and mind.

Should I let inspiration carry me off to a new adventure on the Ile de Ré?



12 comments:

  1. Definitely. Maybe it will inspire some great thoughts that could develop into another nice novel :)

    Love your pictures and I'd love to see the places for myself one day.

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    1. Thank you, Melinda! It is amazing how inspirational a beautiful place can be... As you can see from my post, I highly recommend the Ile de Re. I hope you will have the opportunity to visit the island, as well as Paris. :)

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  2. Looks like a great trip! As for writing something new versus editing/marketing for your other books, that's a tough call. The practical person in me (the angel on one shoulder) is pushing for working on editing/marketing. But the little devil on my shoulder thinks you should start on the new project while creativity is striking! I guess it depends how easily you can switch back and forth between the two. Good luck, whatever you decide!

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    1. It is so difficult to juggle the completely different tasks... sigh. I'm considering a compromise: part of my time spent editing/marketing and a few hours here and there for the writing. We'll see...

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  3. Yes, do it! If it inspires you and you are happy there, and most importantly if you can somehow manage to organise the time and space to be there, it seems the perfect thing to do. It sounds a great place for children too. And you've inspired me to visit, as well

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    1. Wish I could indeed be there! But I think for now I will have to look at my pictures and think of the memories for inspiration as I sit here in Paris. I think I will start work on the new project. Best to get going before I lose that little spark of inspiration! :)

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  4. I knew Ile de Re sounded familiar. We visited in April and our friends in Nantes fed us the famous Ile de Re potatoes. I love your charming photos. Thanks for playing along with Dreaming of France. I've been off blog since Monday, so sorry it took me so long to visit and comment. I try to put up the post on Sunday evening so it is there for people around the world on Monday.

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    1. Thanks, Paulita! I'm glad you had the opportunity to taste the fabulous Ile de Re potatoes while you were here in France. They are only around for a few weeks. It's always fun linking up to your Dreaming of France link up. :)

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  5. I visited Il de Re back in 98, my memories are fading, so thanks for the very beautiful reminder.

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    1. I'm glad I could bring Ile de Re back to you. It is a delight to see a place with so much natural beauty. I'm sure it hasn't changed much since 98! Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  6. Very nice pics of ile de re, can i take someones to post on my blog?

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    1. Hello, Thank you! You can use the photos if you credit me, saying something like "Photos by Adria J. Cimino" and then please include the link to my blog: http://adriainparis.blogspot.fr/

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