Paris Suite

An Introduction

It’s December and I stand, hesitating over a table of new releases at my local bookstore. My eye rests on a little caramel-colored volume, A Writer’s Paris, by Eric Maisel. Never heard of him. And why open this book? I’m not a writer, after all; I compose music. Still, the book’s petite size and the softly-grained textured cover invite me in.

I open the book and read the first short essay, “A Day in the Place des Vosges.” It begins, “Each time I arrive in Paris I head directly for the Place des Vosges, the most beautiful square in the world. How many writers and painters have stumbled upon this famous Marais square and said, “Oh, I see. This is why I came to Paris!”?” Sweet, I think, and put the book down. I skim a few others on the table, then I pick up the little one again. I flip to a second essay, a third. “Go to Paris to write!” the author advises in each one. I vicariously amble through small parks and big cathedrals; I sit at a sidewalk cafe and sip a cup of espresso with Eric Maisel. Finally, I get it: “to write” includes composing music. Of course!

The following July finds me walking along the Seine, dipping into churches and parks—and yes, the Place des Vosges-- collecting inspiration from the city of Paris. Suite Francaise is the result. Eric, you were so right!

— Carla K. Bartlett