I love Paris in the fall...

A few days away from routine are always good for rest, relaxation and sparking creativity. While Paris may not be the most restful of locations, we found plenty of creative inspiration in the city of light on our recent break.

As well as taking in the main sights, we stumbled across commemorative plaques, statues and artists practising their craft.

I was thrilled to find the famous bookstore 'Shakespeare and Company' while we were exploring the left bank. I was spoilt for choice in this Aladdin's cave crammed with books. It was good to see some of our own local writers' work stocked in the shop.

Finally I made a choice I'm not regretting, complete with the famous bookstore stamp.

While I didn't get any free time to write while there,  writing was never far from my mind. Rejection emails still arrive no matter where you are in the world. Undeterred, I stocked up on a new notebook.

And as I prepared to get back into my routine, it was a real pleasure to be seated beside a lovely local writer on our flight home and chat. No matter how marvellous a trip, returning home is always good, and this was especially true this time, as I found one of my short stories has been longlisted in a competition 😀