Back to Paris
Hi Everyone,
I usually go back to Paris after spending the holidays in San Francisco with my children. I stick around for a week or two after they leave, do some work, and then head back to Paris, to enjoy some more of the winter there. January is kind of a dull month everywhere, the weather is lousy unless you live in a tropical country—it’s miserable everywhere else, people are tired after the holidays, partied out, broke after buying presents, and nothing very exciting is going on. For me, it’s a great time to work. I work hard all year, especially in winter, so I can take time off in the summer to be with my kids. But as wintry places go, Paris is a nice place to be in January. Often, it snows, which I love, the big sales are on, which is fun if you want to find a bargain, and the big Haute Couture fashion shows are at the end of January. Many of the big designers have closed and no longer do Haute Couture, and there are only 2 houses left that do couture, Chanel and Dior, other than some new designers that have appeared. And I go to the Chanel Haute Couture shows twice a year in Paris, so I’ll be going to that and am looking forward to it. They’ll be showing their summer clothes in January. And I love to comb through antique stores, and go to my favorite auction house in Paris, all good winter pursuits. And I enjoy winter evenings with friends, over quiet dinners. There is something very cozy about winter evenings, and I like staying home too, catching up on work, or puttering around the house. I always have a million projects, things I want to move or hang. Or change in the house. So I manage to keep busy on long winter nights. And mostly, I write in the winter, and will be working on outlines, and new books.
I haven’t gone skiing in the winter for a couple of years, as my children are spread out and no longer go with me, and it’s no fun to go alone. But that was fun too, for a lot of years. And I might go to the snow this year with some friends. It’s fun to go on long walks in the snow. I’ve always been a cowardly skier, and was never a great one, and hurt my back years ago, so I don’t ski, but am an enthusiastic supporter. I do après-ski extremely well, and have the wardrobe for it!!! I look like the real deal, even if I’m not. I took my youngest son to a place called Courchevel in France a few years ago, so he could ski (he’s a fabulous skier!!) and we had a great time. But he doesn’t have time for ski holidays anymore.
So I’ll be busy in Paris in January, and am sure I’ll find lots to do between bouts of writing. It’s a good time to catch up on things at home, and even curl up and do some reading (which I do in summer, when I’m not writing!!!).
I hope your January is off to a good start, and I’m looking forward to a good year ahead. Last year was challenging, and I hope that this year will be easier for us all!!!
Much love, Danielle
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I LOVE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PARIS…WOULD LOVE TO GO…I ESPECIALLY LIKE CHANEL…AND GLAD THE HOUSE IS STILL OPEN…CANNOT WATCH THE MOVIE “COCO CHANEL” ENOUGH TIMES…LOVE THE STORY…HAVE FUN…AND THANKS FOR SHARING…
CAROL O. IN SO. CAL.
(READING IRRESISIBLE FORCES..)
I would love to go to Paris it is one of the places along with ITALY that I have not been to yet. It sounds just wonderful and I can not wait to experience what you are talking about. Recently read Hotel V and have read around 80 of your novels. Thank you for sharing your passion for life.
Yvonne McClaine Southern Califronia
Hi Danielle,i just finished your book His Bright Light,My heart is still hurting for you,i also lost a son,and your story of courage and love and determination just touched me so dearly.,i still hurt over my loss as well, and some days it just unbearable,we had the same attachment as you and Nick.He was my firstborn also and such a loving and caring Son he was, it still doesn’t seem posible that he is gone..I love your books ,especially this one that came from your very being.love and prayers your way….joy
Dear Ms. Danielle Steel,
Thank you for your story on skiing. I loved skiing. I remember skiing on the fresh snow which nobody stepped on in the morning. And I wrote a poem:
When looking out,
From the lodge window,
The searing coldness of outdoors,
Thrust into my sleepy brain,
From wintry woods.
No more tiredness,
Only a sharp feeling,
Out there.
I remember the summer skiing too. On the high mountain where snow still left, though it was something like powdered snow partially frozen. It was hard to make the edge effect of skiing at the corner. Thank you for your story, reminding me of the past pleasant memories.
Regards,
Your friend and reader
Toshiaki Hida
i just love your novels.When i start reading nothing else seem to matter, which is rather disturbing for my husband.Really, i should be more careful to find the right time to start reading any of your latest novels.I am a great fan and will always support your writings.Keep up the great work.
I live in Barcelona, very near from France, not much to Paris. I’ve been in Paris twice times in my life. Once, with my parents. Twice, with my friends. I love bohem place in Paris. My sister, Harmony, (who when I read sisters, your book about one mother who died and one sister loses her eyes, which touch my heart becuse I don’t want to lose my mother)worked to La Rochelle. She spends her time about one year. I visited to her. We cry together. That was amazing. Now, I live with her in a loft.
So, when you write about your times in Paris, I rememeber La Rochelle with my sister.
Anyway, other things to comment. How you write? Do you use some tecnics about your writing? I love to write something, but I don’t trust about this places which teach you about how to write. I think it’s that because you study in a good school. In my country this schools are very expensive, to popular and powerfull people. That’s not for me, I guess.
Sorry about my comment.
Best wishes,
Alba or Dawn.
Just finished Hotel Venome – Loved it – Loved it…another winner Danielle could not put it down. Keep them coming …
Only just found this site but love this too !
Valerie. Lincolnshire UK.
Somehow my note is farther down the page. Thanks again for all your wonderful novels. Have a great March. It is almost Spring, which I love. Always Shirley Petroski