The Paris marathon is looming. For non-runners who may not be in the know, it’s this Sunday 6 April. I’m officially taking part – my name is firmly on the list of competitors and there’s no going back. It’s the first time I’ve set my sights on the big 42 despite being a seasoned runner…
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English Copywriter in Paris: becoming a star
So, it’s been a long time since I’ve written here. I could come up with a whole host of plausible (and implausible) excuses including a bunch of new projects, Christmas festivities and having my laptop stolen by a passing computer-hacking badger! Yet, the absence of articles remains very, well, absent. As I’m waiting for the…
English copywriter in Paris: Paris freelancing hotspots
Having recently analysed French attitudes to freelancing (shock, horror and downright envy!), now it’s time to get down to details and sift out the best places for freelancing the days away. Cafés and websites dedicated to freelancing are springing up all over Paris. I haven’t tested all of them. I’m kind of slow off the…
English Copywriter in Paris: freelancing in France
As promised (a little while ago now!), I’m dedicating a whole shiny post to writing about freelancing in France. Or, more precisely, what the French think about freelancers. I’ve officially been a freelancer for about six months now. Not yet a veteran, no longer a newbie. And, since starting out, I’ve encountered a whole range…
English Copywriter in Paris: making Rentrée resolutions
The rentrée is well and truly with us. There’s no escape. It’s back to school, work and routine. Gone are the long lazy summer days of July and August. Yet, as well as being all about ‘returning’, the rentrée is also a new start or beginning. Aside from holidays, the French love nothing better than…
English Copywriter in Paris: understanding the Rentrée
Definition Rentrée, Nom féminin : Reprise des activités après des vacances This can be loosely translated as the ‘going back’ after the summer holidays. Yet the concept doesn’t exist in the same way in Anglo-Saxon countries. The equivalent of ‘back to school’ is far more limited. La rentrée encompasses a way of life and a…
English copywriter in Paris: moments of uncomplicated calm in Paris
Paris is a city on the go. Not up there with the likes of New York, but by French standards it’s the fast-paced high life. There is little time to stop and take a moment to do nothing, simply stare at the sky or breath few moments of calm in Paris (without a tingling feeling…
English copywriter in Paris: inspiration & chocolate brioche Part II
So you may, or may not remember, my article about starting out as a freelance copywriter. It was full of fresh enthusiasm about writing and chocolate brioche. A few months have passed now. The initial moments of euphoric ‘I’m a freelance copywriter’ excitement have subsided. So what’s left? This is a big question for a…
English Copywriter in Paris: English on the Way
I recently spent a lush green week walking along the Camino de Santiago (St. James’ Way) in Northern Spain. We crossed paths with an exciting linguistic and cultural hotpot of walkers from all over the world. No, this isn’t just an excuse to boast about my latest holiday. There is a linguistic point to this…
English Copywriter in Paris: positively negative
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about understanding French and the French. And ever since I’ve been mulling over the whole idea of French unenthusiasm, its whens and its whys. I’ve slowly come to the conclusion that it is more a question of positive negativity. Sounds bizarre? Yes, it’s a little head spinning especially…