I felt alone in my struggles so many times until I started to interact with other students who expressed similar difficulties. It was then that I realized I was not the odd woman out and that these issues need to be exposed to help future students understand the study abroad experience better.
Andreaa Bouchaud – 03 November 2013
The Back Flap
Ever dream of studying and living in Paris but not sure where to start? Twenty in Paris will help you choose a study abroad program, find the best housing options for you, obtain a French visa successfully on the first attempt, debunk the W-effect, and provide an accurate depiction of adjusting to life in a foreign country with a new language, a new collegiate system and a new culture.
About the book
What is the book about?
Twenty in Paris is about giving students a detailed explanation and depiction of the complete experience of studying abroad in Paris from the early planning stages to the return home. I show students through my own personal experience that living and studying in Paris as a twenty year old American is more challenging than expected but that with smart preparation and an accurate understanding of the difficulties that await, the pitfalls which I encountered at each and every turn can be avoided, or at the very least, lessened.
When did you start writing the book?
I started writing as soon as I came back home from Paris which was the summer of 2008. I also kept a journal abroad so it was easy to start writing right away as every aspect of the experience and process was already recorded.
How long did it take you to write it?
Four years. I wrote all during the summer of 2008 but had to put down writing to concentrate on finishing my last year of college. Most of the book’s first draft was finished during that summer. I resumed writing about six months post graduation asall my attention went to my first full time job and finding my own apartment. The first draft was finished early in 2010 but I essentially re-wrote the book a few times until its final version was completed in the fall of 2012.
Where did you get the idea from?
It came from all the struggles and mishaps that I and other students had during our time studying abroad. I felt alone in my struggles so many times until I started to interact with other students who expressed similar difficulties. It was then that I realized I was not the odd woman out and that these issues need to be exposed to help future students understand the study abroad experience better.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
I struggled with the overall voice of the book. Should it read as a memoir? Informative guide? Should I include the experiences/stories which were only unique to me or ones that affect most students? Finding the voice and feel of the book and then making the entire experience cohesive was the toughest part. With all the changes of the book’s mood came different titles. Finding the right title was also extremely challenging. I went from American Cheese to The Study Abroad Guide: The Truth is in here to Twenty in Paris with many short-lived rejects in between.
What came easily?
Writing the experience. At times when I would get discouraged, reading old journal entries and remembering the other students would get me excited to write again.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
It’s all me! But looking back at twenty year old me, there are times I wish she was a fictitious character.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
I love autobiographies. I love when I’m reading a book and I feel like that person is speaking directly to me, revealing all of their secrets. My favorite autobiographies are The Long, Hard Road Out of Hell and The Dirt.
Do you have a target reader?
College aged readers or anyone who has an interest in studying abroad in Paris. Parents- it would help if you read it too so that you can know what to expect for your child while they are studying abroad.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I don’t have an actual writing process. Usually, I look at the computer screen until a thought flows out and then I just start typing. My fingers don’t always keep up with my thoughts which can really stink.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I didn’t outline for the first few drafts of the book but did when it came to the final draft. For the last draft outline, I went through every chapter and listed all discrepancies in the consistency of the chapter. Then, I compared it to the lists for all the other chapters to find patterns. After that, I made an outline of how each chapter should be put together and added what needed to be added and deleted what did not need to be there as per the outline. The outline at that stage of writing was to create and maintain order of the voice of the book. Looking back, I would start with a similar outline from the beginning and use it as I went along to make sure I am staying on track.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I prefer to write a few paragraphs to one chapter at a time before going back to edit. I find it easier to edit once I have the idea fully recorded.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I was on an extreme budget while writing and did not know where or how to find a professional editor so I did not use one.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
I use the movie theater’s advice of silence is golden when writing. Music can be too distracting for me.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Literary agents and publishing houses. Publishing houses were the only ones to respond to my queries. I am still awaiting responses from the literary agents. Articles about authors Stephanie Meyer (Twilight series) and Kathryn Stockett (The Help), who contacted publishing houses directly and have had success, also inspired me to contact more publishing houses than agents.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
In 2012, I got to a point where the book was where I wanted it to be. On my fourth round of sending out queries to publishing houses, I got a response from one in England. After about 4 months of back and forth letter communication, they offered me a vanity publishing deal which means that the author pays for the majority of the book’s marketing and publication while the publishing house collects a high royalty for essentially doing nothing. I don’t think these deals are in the best interest of the author and I declined it. If I was going to be paying anyway, why not try to publish it myself?
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I’m very lucky in that I am married to a professional 3-D computer artist who was able to create a beautiful book cover.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
Can I say yes to both? I did not do any research about book marketing while I was writing and realized shortly after publication that I needed to get on this pronto. I took a mini break from creating book buzz to reach out to my target audience by becoming a blogger for 2 college-aged websites and am now back on the marketing train. I have a marketing plan but it still may appear as winging it to some.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Do research! Find out in advance how to market and reach your target audience before you proceed with publication. Develop your marketing strategy while you are writing and start generating book buzz prior to publication.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Jersey Girl! I’m born and bred in a town about 30 minutes east of Philadelphia, PA.
Where do you live now?
Dallas, TX but don’t ask me about the Cowboys or the Rangers- I’m not a sports fan.
What would you like readers to know about you?
One of my favorite things to do is to watch Star Trek Original Series in French. Téléporte-moi Scotty!
What are you working on now?
I write blogs on different aspects of studying abroad in Paris like the fact that there are no fire escapes on old buildings in Paris and that the French do not eat popcorn at the movies for studentuniverse.com. I also write for the Paris Destination Guide on theabroadguide.com.
(***Nerd Alert) My dream project would be to write the prologue on the Borg species from Star Trek. Who was the first Borg drone and how did it happen? This is the truly the question of our time.
End of Interview:
Get your copy of Twenty in Paris at Amazon US or Amazon UK.