Where have all the storytellers gone? To podcasts and visual media; to quick and easily digestible formats that satisfy an insatiable burning to jump from one nugget of news to the next. In other words, storytelling in the traditional sense of the word, has taken a back seat.
As a writer, the rapid consumption culture that has infiltrated the world of media and our acquisition of knowledge leaves me more than a little disillusioned. It’s part of the reason I try, as much as possible, to create more than mere captions when I share bits of Paris on blink-and-you-miss-it platforms like Instagram and Twitter. I am convinced that there is still potential to tease out a narrative even when the average attention span taps out at 10 second. It’s why I reach for magazines that do justice to storytelling; whose editors aren’t afraid of exceeding an inane 500 word limit and dig under the surface of a place, a moment, a spirit. It’s why my book is far more than a guide (you’ll see!) and my work attempts to focus on people who nurture the art of storytelling, whether by words or crafts.
So naturally, it’s why I have gravitated toward L’Instant Parisien, a website launched in 2014 by a French couple from Lyon, Laurence and Fabrice, who devote their creative energy to preserving the art of storytelling by chronicling the city’s makers, creators, builders, growers, and thinkers. I met them well over a year ago and quickly found that we had synergies. As non native Parisians, we share both a romantic and critical view of Paris and have invested considerable amounts of time to understanding the artistic and intellectual undercurrent in the city today by seeking out the people, places, and ideas that don’t tend to make best-of lists. Some of their profiles focus on the crafters who have revived a forgotten savoir-faire, others who create trends by pulling inspiration from their diverse cultural backgrounds.
When Laurence and Fabrice told me they were working on transforming their beautiful site into a magazine, I knew I wanted to be involved somehow. I was honored that they asked me to contribute to the first issue on a topic I hold dear: food! More specifically, some of the new movers and shakers in the 11th arrondissement in food and each profile is paired with an illustrated portrait by Amandine Delaunay. The portrait of the duo behind Broken Biscuits, featured in my story, is seen at the top of this post.
I can’t wait to see issue #2, coming later this year! To find a copy of issue #1 in your home country, take a look at their stockists.
Happy reading!
@linstantparisien
Online articles
Cover art by Virginie Morgand
Storytellers are such a treasure these days, and I’m loving the first issue of L’Instant Parisien!
So glad you are enjoying it! I also love Virginie Morgand’s work – that cover is so dynamic!
Absolutely love this post… I completely agree with you regarding the issue of rapid consumption culture in the media ; I find it’s such a shame that people THINK they don’t have time to read or don’t know how to read anymore. Although I guess storytelling has taken a new turn, especially through the instantaneity of visual media – which I don’t think always allows much recognition if it just requires scrolling and double tapping in the space of 1/2 a second – , I also believe it’s important to appreciate the writers among our modern story-tellers. I can’t wait to read your book, and hope I can get my hands on the first issue of L’Instant Parisien ! xx
You said it! I think there’s been a refreshing counter movement and you see it in some of the long-form literary magazines that have a niche following but as long as the reflex is to reach for a mobile device and open an app before picking up a magazine or book, we still have a long way to go in preserving more edifying means of cultural consumption.
And thank you for your support! You are so very kind. I spotted L’Instant Parisien in a magazine / convenience store in London and I know they have stockists all over the world! Should be possible 🙂
Hi Lindsey –
I love this post and your blog. There is something special about story-telling that I fear is losing its luster in today’s high-speed, low-attention span world. On a bit of another note, I’m curious to know how you broke into freelance and travel writing. I am living and teaching in France now (in Toulouse), and I would love to start submitting articles to magazines and websites.
Thanks for any input and always looking forward to your posts!
Alex
Hi Alex, thank you for your note! My career really began by spending heaps of time researching who the editors were at the publications I wanted to write for, reading through as many past issues as I could get my hands on to understand what had been covered before, what the tone was like, etc. And then I read up on how best to pitch editors. There’s endless resources online about that and writer groups that can offer support. I spoke with a few writer friends who gave me some pointers and then I could-pitched. It worked! It didn’t and doesnt’ ALWAYS work when I pitch now but I’ve built up relationships with editors. Also, having a window into what you’re capable of writing – whether it’s a blog or a presence on Medium – is key. You’ll need to be able to show what you can do and what topics you feel comfortable covering.
I hope this helps!
Wonderful! Thanks so much for this information! I’m going to see what I can start doing 🙂 It honestly seems like one of those things where you just need to START getting yourself out there and seeing what happens/improving from there.
Even though I’m a blogger I always buy books and magazines. There’s something that allows you to more easily delve into a story if it’s in print. I also love the tangibility of it. I place a beloved book on my shelf- and I can go back to it when I need. It’s place there gives me comfort! -CuriousProvence
I so agree ashley! Comforting is precisely the word for it. Let’s keep reading!!
I received issue 2 in the post a few weeks ago and I looved it! So cool that you got to be involved with #1 🙂
Ohhh it’s a beauty #2!! So many fabulous stories. I can’t wait for the 3rd!