Revealed: October ninth, 2023
Meet Whitney Cubbison, creator of Will There Be Wine? (Credit score: Kelly Anderson Images)
Paris has an plain attract that captivates the hearts and imaginations of individuals around the globe. 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 great technique to maintain the spirit of 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 supply 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 e-book that gives a novel 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 Good: Residing in Paris is a dream for thus many individuals. May you share the place you are initially from and the journey that led you to make Paris your own home?
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 principle character, Austen, in my e-book Will There Be Wine? I began taking French in center faculty as a result of dwelling in Texas, everybody else took Spanish and I needed 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 great household who made me wish to proceed my research, merely to remain in good contact with them. When it was time to declare a serious at college, I made a decision to check French as a result of I used to be nonetheless of the “practicality be damned” faculty of thought and determined learning one thing you really liked was a greater plan. I spent my junior yr of faculty learning overseas in Lyon, and I made a decision then that sooner or later I’d come again to dwell 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 mates. I received a job coding SAP apps for PricewaterhouseCoopers, a consulting firm determined for builders and clever sufficient to know that in case you can be taught one language (French), you’ll be able to be taught one other (code). I rapidly determined I preferred know-how however didn’t like coding, so I transitioned into tech PR/communications and finally 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 once I was employed to be the communications director/speechwriter for the pinnacle of Microsoft’s worldwide gross sales workforce. And anecdotally, within the first month after arriving, I went again to Excursions and had dinner with that great household and instructed 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 once I’d inform my ridiculous tales to mates, they repeatedly instructed me that I needed to write a e-book. In the future, I made a decision to consider them, so right here we’re! Typically, the reality is stranger than fiction, which in my case turned out to be a fantastic place to begin for a novel. There’s undoubtedly fiction in there too, however I prefer to say that the e-book is “deeply impressed by actual occasions.”
What facets of town’s appeal have resonated with you essentially the most? May you spotlight a few of the facets about dwelling in Paris that you simply maintain notably 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 e-book 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. Recollections 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—continues 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 checklist.
- It’s essentially the most lovely 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 actually one is anticipated to) flip off. It’s late August as I write this, and Paris continues to be empty. Everybody has spent the final month on the seashore, disconnected. I noticed this hilarious (for all of the improper 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 rather more significantly right here, which I actually recognize.
- Total, I discover it simpler to dwell 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 wonderful. You inherently eat much less junk. I purchased an house on a avenue that has a farmers’ market 3 times per week that’s actually proper exterior my entrance door, so it’s stupidly simple to eat contemporary, top quality meals.
- And final however not least, I like the expat way of life. I’ve French mates too, however the expats are likely to gravitate to at least one one other, and there’s one thing great about being surrounded by different individuals who have actively chosen to uproot their lives and transfer to Paris. Residing in LA, everybody works in leisure. Residing in San Francisco, everybody works in tech. In Paris, the expats you meet come from in all places, from many various walks of life, to do many various issues, so I at all times really feel like I’m studying about one thing new from this delightfully numerous neighborhood.
Will There Be Wine? What a fantastic e-book 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 in every of my girlfriends right here – the one who impressed the character known as Daphne. In the future we have 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 e-book. It’s a rom-com concerning the relationship 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 rather well with wine. Additionally, she might have been performing some early manifesting of a film deal for me. A woman can dream, proper?!
In your e-book, you point out varied great locations in Paris, some widespread and others lesser identified. Do you’ve got any suggestions for our readers in terms of Paris?
Completely! I put collectively a Google Maps Assortment of all of the bars and eating places that Austen and her friends go to all through Will There Be Wine? Within the assortment, you will additionally discover a small snippet from the e-book about what scene takes place at every of the spots. The checklist consists of, unsurprisingly, a lot 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.
May you share the place readers can get their arms in your e-book?
For those who’re in Paris, it is accessible on the Purple Wheelbarrow Bookstore proper off Luxembourg Gardens. For those who’re not in Paris or just desire a Kindle model, yow will discover 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 be taught issues about your self, and transferring 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 pal about precisely this subject: “If you’re surrounded by nothing acquainted, it’s a must to be taught to depend on your instincts. And when these show right, your confidence goes up and also you simply change into extra positive of your house on this planet.”
As for recommendation, I’d suggest not over-programming your time right here. Probably the greatest issues to do in Paris is simply to wander and see the place town takes you. It’s necessary to depart 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 in every of no matter calls your identify. 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?
An enormous merci to Whitney for sharing her Paris inspiration! Via her private anecdotes and fiction impressed by actual occasions, you’ll be able to vicariously wander the streets of Paris, really feel its historical past and immerse your self in its distinctive appeal. As you flip the pages of her e-book, you will end up transported to the romantic landscapes and intriguing tales that Paris presents. So, as you dream about your subsequent journey to the Metropolis of Gentle, 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 it’s an exquisite prelude to your subsequent journey in Paris.
And in case you’re nonetheless looking for a trip rental on your dream getaway, you’ll want to discover our assortment at Paris Good. Till then, pleased studying and bon voyage!
