Pages

Thursday, April 8, 2010

What Europe has taught me about writing

I've learned so much since moving abroad, sometimes it's hard to quantify. New languages, new ways of shopping, new ways of getting around. But living abroad has also taught me some things about writing. Here's a few.

One.

Take things slow. As a trained copywriter (and as an American), I am used to working fast and furious. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but in writing long-term projects, like my memoir, I have learned that taking it one step at a time, with plenty of moments for reflection and feedback, can be a great thing.

Two.

Breaks are good. A four-day weekend for Easter? A closed office (yes, they do that!) between Christmas and New Years? All of this time off isn’t luxury; it has become necessity. I find that I am more productive and creative after a little R&R. And there wasn’t much R&R in my former American lifestyle.

Three.

Clarity. When you live in a new place, you not only learn about another culture, you learn about yourself. I never realized I smiled so much until I noticed others here don’t. I never knew that I kept busy so I felt worthy until I put myself into a culture that knew how to relax. This clarity of self helps my writing—especially in the personal essay and memoir form.

Four.

The importance of the right word. While learning German, I have come to realize how subtle language can be. For example, a non-native English speaker once said, “Chantal cannot yet translate this. Her German is yet too young.” The meaning was correct. The word choice was not. It makes me really consider each and every word when writing.

Five.

I can do it. I can live in Switzerland. I can speak German. I can take public transport all over Europe and not get lost. I can be a writer abroad. It’s all about learning self-reliance and knowing that the impossible is nothing.

What has living or traveling abroad taught you?

102 comments:

  1. Traveling abroad brings out the "child" in me, eager to see, learn, and experience everything.

    Expanding one's knowledge--first hand--of that great world beyond one's cozy little corner, is a great benefit...especially to writers.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I lived in Germany for two years, several years ago now, but my husband I go back almost every year and have traveled to many European countries, including Switzerland. Living (as a Canadian) in Europe was mind opening and very stretching--as a writer and a person. Having to view life through another world view and culture changes and shapes you in a way staying put just can not. It has helped me as a writer immensely. My time in Germany was love/hate. I had a hard time with the language and never did master it. I had to take an English/German dictionary to go grocery shopping because I couldn't read the labels and the food items weren't like anything I was use to cooking. (read: no Campbells soup or Kraft Dinner/mac and cheese). The people there went about life in a different way and looked at things differently, too. I didn't always (usually) agree. I went through the stages of admire, despise and respect for this culture. Now I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This blog is a fascinating concept.

    I'm reading it, even though I don't live outside the USA.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Marisa--I think you've answered why I love travel. It makes me feel like a kid too.

    Elle, I can understand the love/hate thing. I think every expat both loves and hates their adopted country for different reasons. And German is a tough language to learn in Germany alone. In Switzerland it is even more challenging because of the local dialects. It's a constant struggle to ask people to please speak High German so I can understand them! The food too--yes, nothing is packaged, I make everything from scratch now--even lemonade! It was hard to get used to but now I love it and find it much healthier. Admire, despise and respect is the perfect way to describe the expat cycle.

    Hi Cassandra, thanks for reading. Vicarious traveling is great too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You forgot to mention having a good sense of humor! Obvious, yes. But vital. On Tuesday I went to IKEA, which for me means a trip over the border to Belgium. My kids are fluent in French, but I am only middling. I had to get them to translate for me a BUNCH o' times. Then I had to stop and crack up while I tried to drag the Big Boxes onto my cart.

    A BUNCH o' times.

    P.S. I always hope all these new experiences will stave off Alzheimer's.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Expatresse,

    Agree. A sense of humor is vital to survive when you have to imagine conversations and figure things out by osmosis! It's great you have a pair of translators to help out :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great reflections, Chantal! Was surprised to hear that people don't smile much over there. They don't smile much here either. What's up with that?

    Erika
    www.beyondthegray.wordrpess.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Smiling is not a Swiss thing. I don't know why. They've got plenty of cheese and chocolate to smile about!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Its so wonderful to read this list..Europe has infact made me a writer, and helped me enjoy the journey!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Glad to hear that Europe has helped you become a writer too. It's an inspiring place to be!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Chantal,

    This is such an inspiring post - thanks! I actually felt that Paris was squashing my writing at first. Something about all of the literary history was intimidating. Plus the no smiling thing (my gosh, could the Swiss possibly be worse than the French? I don't think so) really got to me at first. I felt like my joy was slowly being zapped. And being joyless...well, for me it's hard to be creative without joy. I need energy!

    But I'm really on an upswing now and I think it's because, like you, I realize that I can do it. Damn, I moved to a new country/culture and learned a language, got a job, made friends, dealt with French bureaucracy, etc.

    Now I see the beauty here and count my blessings. I totally agree about the R&R - I don't know how I could ever go back to 2 weeks vacation! (Really, I think writers are *always* writing in some way, even if they don't have pen in hand. But giving yourself time and space to relax has become vital).

    Thanks, as always, for a great post :)
    -Sion

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Sion,

    Glad you could relate! I understand about the smiling thing, it got to me too (and still does!).

    The two weeks of vacation thing is really sad. I don't think I could ever handle that again either! Once a European, always a European--at least when it comes to time off!

    ReplyDelete
  13. As well as feeling like a child, I definitely learned so much about patience! When it can take all day to get to the post office and arrange to send birthday gifts you learn to prioritise that and arrange your work to fit in with delays!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Niamh, patience is a great point. Everything moves slower in Europe.

    ReplyDelete
  15. In the blow that you do you're starting brace of classes of the alpha of the academy year and all you see are affirmation to make, afresh you may be because whether custom accessories added admission to administrate administrate go. One activity to assay is that you never accusation to assay a abate at all of your assignments apprenticed as you will feel the accusation to charm ceremony one of them .Car Title Loans

    ReplyDelete
  16. To purpose of amore with custom article making, the anterior footfall you affliction to assay is to achieve a agreeable action out of amigos who acquire abstract bogus appointment purposes of bonds and a agitate of whatever chatty you are utilizing as a draft of your accustomed masses. By afresh you affliction to assay at connected aftermost to beforehand belletrist to believable bargain alms your article accurate affiliations.Cash Advance

    ReplyDelete
  17. Since there are no favorable position or afield replies in commemoration acclimatize except for fundamentally able 'ol age-old acerbity from honest to advantage customers, it basically checks cogent for advantage the acclimatize in such a course, to the point that the bodies can absolutely and absolutely commitment out their acclimatized determinations and assumptions about a affiliated activity or alliance. aaa1autotitleloans.com/chicago

    ReplyDelete
  18. Whatever the reason, you're short on money. On the off chance that you haven't got Mastercards and possibly your loved ones are not in a position to assist.

    ReplyDelete
  19. To help safeguard shoppers from ruthless loaning hones a few states have passed laws.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Payday credits are little advances you can utilize when you are incidentally out of cash. Regularly alluded to as loans or payday progresses, whatever the name, these advances are intended to meet transitory, here and now income needs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eraser Ayurvedic Anti Acne & Pimple Cream -Eraser Anti-Acne & Pimple Cream is a safe and effective Ayurvedic Formulation – that naturally treats acne and pimples in a few days.
      http://www.ipsalabs.com/Eraser_Anti_Acne_Pimple_Cream_deatil_page.php

      Delete
  21. The fact of the matter is that individual funds do require some work, at the same time, flawlessness may not be attractive.

    ReplyDelete
  22. You can apply for this advance online with the solace of your home or office by simply filling a straightforward shape with minimal individual subtle elements.

    ReplyDelete
  23. We really love to serve you the best things with 100% satisfactions. It is really hard to say when exactly need to cash your check. Sometimes it may very difficult to cash if it is not official hours. That’s why we feel you much and started 24 hour check cashing services. It is very easy to finding us as we are at your city or nearest places. Just remember us and we will cash your check very short period with a very low cost.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I can see that you are putting a lot of efforts into your site. Keep posting the good work. Some really helpful information in there. Nice to see your site.
    ---------------------------------
    biquyettangchieucao.info

    ReplyDelete
  25. This really is amazing publish. Perfectly created post. It will likely be useful to everybody that worker this, such as me personally. Right now click here Cash Advance Continue the great function.

    ReplyDelete
  26. great post, thanks for your sharing
    gmail login

    ReplyDelete
  27. Great post thanks
    https://quorapro.com/whatsapp-groups-links-to-join/

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is very nice post thanks
    Are you looking for whatsapp groups links to join then click on it

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks for sharing such a great and use full blog this is really informative blog.Happy New Year 2019 Quotes

    ReplyDelete
  30. Eraser Ayurvedic Anti Acne & Pimple Cream -Eraser Anti-Acne & Pimple Cream is a safe and effective Ayurvedic Formulation – that naturally treats acne and pimples in a few days.
    http://www.ipsalabs.com/Eraser_Anti_Acne_Pimple_Cream_deatil_page.php

    ReplyDelete
  31. Howdy! This is my first visit to your post! We are a team of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your post provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a outstanding job!
    successful campaigns in singapore

    ReplyDelete
  32. About Mechanical Engineering Disussion Forum
    This website connects all those people around the world who hold their interest in Mechanical Engineering. This website is specially designed for those people who have queries about mechanical engineering questions or problems and they wants to share their problems with others and curiosity to find solutions to their problems.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Happy new year 2019 images, cards, gif, wallpaper, png, photos, decorations, wishes, animated gif, art and quotes.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Keep Doing Good work and Amazing content on Kids Christmas Jumpers

    ReplyDelete
  35. Great Post by Admin.

    Thank for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Nice blog , Informations are really useful . I wish you happy new year 2019 wishes

    ReplyDelete
  37. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  38. keep doing the great work , i expect more from you in the future happy new year 2019 wishes

    ReplyDelete
  39. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  40. i wish i would like your content and check our website that base on Valentine Week

    ReplyDelete
  41. سایت گلد اسکن وان بزرگترین ارائه کننده فلزیاب های گلد اسکن در ایران می باشد.

    شاید به جرات بتوان بیان کرد فلزیاب گلد اسکن درسایت گلد اسکن وان در نوع خود واقعا بی نظیر است گلد اسکن فلزیاب تصویری مدل های بالای 2019 گلد اسکن دارای سنسور های حساس تر و با دقت و عملکر بسیار بالاتری وارد بازار شده اند که همین نکته می تواند نقطه عطفی برای ترجیح این محصول نسبت به سایر فلزیاب های موجود در بازار شود. محصولات گلد اسکن دارای وزن بسیار سبکی هستند و با قسمت بسیار مناسبی درسایت گلد اسکن وان می توانید خرید نماید.

    سایت اسکن وان از سال 95 در ایران شروع به کار کرده است و با ارائه خدمات حرفه ای در زمینه گنج یاب های گلد اسکن در ایران مشغول می باشد.

    واردات محصولات این سایت مستقیما از کشور های اروپایی می باشد و فلزیاب حرفه ای گلد اسکن دارای بالاترین کیفیت لازم می باشد.

    ReplyDelete
  42. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Among the greatest worries for youngsters is developing high. visit:https://www.growtallquick.com/

    ReplyDelete
  44. The centerpiece of naturopathic medication is the treatment of harmful individuals along with a watered down broker that exemplifies the actual affliction.visit:http://homoeoonline.com/

    ReplyDelete
  45. Such a doctor, therefore, will most ideal read through the indicators of your body system and address your affliction on a holistic level while providing the physical body aid to battle the health issues by itself inevitably France.visit:http://homoeoonline.com/

    ReplyDelete
  46. the purchase contract includes market values for components and also installations which are binding. visit:https://www.innovationtax.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  47. any type of income tax advantages are actually back for sale of the property. Again a myth. visit:https://www.innovationtax.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  48. This works only as well even though your house you are actually seeking to purchase is actually not your very first.visit:http://www.midhudsonhomebuyers.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Residence sellers likewise possess a higher anxiety levels when they must reveal people around their house. visit:http://www.midhudsonhomebuyers.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. The Emergency Dentist Virginia Beach would certainly therefore appear out for any kind of cracks as well as therefore perform the required.visit:https://milldamdental.com/

    ReplyDelete
  51. Many folks take a trip out of community for the holiday period to check out loved one.visit:https://www.myutopiaholidays.com/

    ReplyDelete
  52. As the label proposes, keys powered, connected smoke detector are actually all connected and also when one recognizes a deficiency problem all linked sensors must appear.visit:https://www.ornicom.com/

    ReplyDelete
  53. If your property possesses a heating system it is actually a great tip to additionally possess a carbon monoxide gas specialist put up. visit:https://www.ornicom.com/

    ReplyDelete
  54. The memory card owners can easily invest the staying duration of their everyday lives inside the country, if they do not delight in any type of wrong-doings.visit:https://www.passportsforsale.io/

    ReplyDelete
  55. The memory card owners can easily invest the staying duration of their everyday lives inside the country, if they do not delight in any type of wrong-doings.visit:https://www.passportsforsale.io/

    ReplyDelete
  56. Particular work (often, authorities tasks in protection & birthplace safety) are actually limited simply for the consumers in scenery of protection elements.visit:https://www.passportsforsale.io/

    ReplyDelete
  57. Qualifying Companies can partner with companions who have considerable experience supplying as well as cultivating management advancement centers and these will definitely possess a pivotal job in any 'learning' solution.visit:http://projectmanagementevents.com/

    ReplyDelete
  58. Nicht immer muss es ein reiner Grassamen sein. Auch die Gräser- und Blumenmischung ist eine gute Möglichkeit, um eine Fläche zu begrünen. visit:https://www.rasensamen-kaufen.de

    ReplyDelete

  59. At the here and now opportunity, there are many individuals that are actually searching for records.visit:https://citizenshipforsaleco.ecwid.com/

    ReplyDelete
  60. As Rhino is actually going to be actually vanished as a result of to the too much requirement for its own horns, therefore it is actually quite pricey than any type of precious jewelry as well as various other ancient parts.visit:https://rhinohornsellers.com/

    ReplyDelete
  61. You could do not understand, yet the Rhino horn prices is actually even more than $3,00,000 as it is actually made use of in creating one of the absolute best as well as incredible medications for cancer cells people and also others.visit:https://rhinohornsellers.com/

    ReplyDelete
  62. The 3rd and also final formula for a fantastic content notification initiative is actually working. visit:https://www.robocent.com/

    ReplyDelete
  63. Businessmen, marketing experts, as well as marketers worldwide are actually continually delving into the train of mobile phone advertising and marketing, thus while the field is actually certainly not however oversaturated you must beware of this particular emergent advertising and marketing option as well as utilize it for your label's conveniences.visit:https://www.robocent.com/

    ReplyDelete
  64. Farbbänder nachbestellt werden.visit:https://www.rollenrampe.de/

    ReplyDelete
  65. Zudem neigen die Kassenbelege aus Thermopapier dazu, etwas schneller zu verblassen.visit:https://www.rollenrampe.de/

    ReplyDelete
  66. Massage therapy enthusiasm was actually brought back in the 1970s.visit:https://thisisverde.com/

    ReplyDelete
  67. Ultraviolet illuminations for fish ponds are going to certainly not totally decontaminate a full pond total of water. Nothing can easily live for any extensive time period in entirely sterilized water. visit:https://www.ultralife.com/

    ReplyDelete
  68. The water requires to constantly includes some form of valuable bacteria within it.visit:https://www.ultralife.com/

    ReplyDelete
  69. Through contrast, big home builders for home additions believe large. visit:https://www.vabeachbuilder.com/

    ReplyDelete
  70. Hazardous poisonous substances are actually recognized due to the liver and are dealt with before entering the blood stream. There are actually Natural Detox Supplements accessible that may aid to improve fundamental liver operating.visit:https://www.worldwidehealthcenter.net

    ReplyDelete
  71. Hazardous poisonous substances are actually recognized due to the liver and are dealt with before entering the blood stream. There are actually Natural Detox Supplements accessible that may aid to improve fundamental liver operating.visit:https://www.worldwidehealthcenter.net

    ReplyDelete
  72. Whenever the liver ends up being overrun along with toxins it loses the ability to acknowledge and after that eliminate all of them coming from the body.visit:https://www.worldwidehealthcenter.net

    ReplyDelete
  73. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  74. If you are talking about the best Cool watches then I think you are right.

    ReplyDelete
  75. It is actually interesting to take note that presently several individuals connect visuals performers simply along with the printing tool.visit:https://www.c7creative.com/

    ReplyDelete
  76. The interpretation of graphic design is actually growing as brand-new modern technologies increase. visit:https://www.c7creative.com/

    ReplyDelete
  77. Right now if you were actually a player, you will be actually interested in the form of graphics memory card set up, due to the fact that this is actually a significant element in games laptop computers. visit:https://www.c7creative.com/

    ReplyDelete
  78. I'll tell you a little secret: The majority of the price related to internet site layout is the moment it takes the developer to determine what you want and needs in a website.visit:https://g.page/web-design--c7?share

    ReplyDelete
  79. As its name suggests, the major objective of any type of web site design solution is to develop an internet site for its customer and ensure it looks like just how the customer wants it to loovisit:https://g.page/web-design--c7?share

    ReplyDelete

  80. The Jacksonville SEO sector prospers on this criteria.visit:https://www.c7creative.com/seo-jacksonville/

    ReplyDelete
  81. Decide for natural SEO methods. Examine the qualifications of shortlisted SEO firms properly, prior to choosing one.visit:https://www.c7creative.com/seo-jacksonville/

    ReplyDelete
  82. Some of the necessary aspects of SEO marketing is really building the correct net details. visit:https://www.c7creative.com/seo-jacksonville/

    ReplyDelete
  83. S.E.O or even hunt motor marketing is actually an advertising and marketing approach that is actually striven to steer website traffic right into a web site.visit:https://www.c7creative.com/overview-digital-marketing/

    ReplyDelete
  84. Indira securities believes in giving a cutting edge technology to its clients. In the same Endeavour we have tied up with Tradetron.

    ReplyDelete
  85. As a fellow person living abroad, I resonate with your number 5. You can do it and you did. I think believing in ourselves is so underrated.

    ReplyDelete