Leslie Farnsworth

@lesliefarnsworth.com

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Writer (novel out on query, another in the drafting, third in the planning), blog-keeper (which makes me retro), reader, ponderer, flaneuse, yoga person, goofball, friend.

Blog: https://observingleslie.com
Author site: https://lesliefarnsworth.com

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The next time something happens to someone, however big or small the troubles, show up. observingleslie.com/...

Just Show Up — Observing Leslieobservingleslie.com The next time something happens to someone, however big or small the troubles, show up.

Occasionally I glance at the GoodReads reviews of books I’ve finished and invariably I wonder “what are these people on, anyway?” Holy hell.

I enjoyed this podcast with the insightful Chuck Tingle @chucktingle.bsky.social so. much. www.professionalbook...@chucktingle.bsky.social so. much. www.professionalbook...

Buckaroo Banter: Chuck Tingle Talks BURY YOUR GAYSwww.professionalbooknerds.com The Professional Book Nerds podcast is a podcast for book lovers, by book lovers. Presented by OverDrive, the industry-leading app for eBooks and audiobooks through your local library and school. Tune in for weekly book recommendations and author interviews.

What what? Talk about a surprise... Not only an awesome article in Esquire by the amazing Gabino Iglesias ( @gabino.bsky.social ) but one that features a photo from me!? www.esquire.com/ente...@gabino.bsky.social ) but one that features a photo from me!? www.esquire.com/ente...

Does America Still Care About Authors?www.esquire.com Once upon a time, writers were celebrities; now, the role of the public intellectual has gone up in smoke. For one novelist, a glamorous trip to France showed what literary life back home could be like.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans (24 Heures du Mans, in French) took place almost a month ago already! It is the oldest active—and most internationally famous—endurance race. What's that and huh? Yeah, I hear you. Here's the story. observingleslie.com/...

The Apex of Automobile Endurance Racing: The 24 Hours of Le Mans — Observing Leslieobservingleslie.com The 24 Hours of Le Mans (24 Heures du Mans, in French) takes place on a racetrack near Le Mans, France. It is the oldest active—and most internationally famous—endurance race.

🇫🇷 French word of the day: malséant = unseemly

As a child, who did I think I would be as an adult? I couldn’t remember. And then my mother handed me an old school report. observingleslie.com/...

Our Ten-Year-Old Selves — Observing Leslieobservingleslie.com As a child, who did I think I would be as an adult? I couldn’t remember. And then my mother handed me an old school report.

Even when I think a break is "a good idea," the dastardly doldrums bring me down when I haven't come to the page in a few days. Why do I keep forgetting this? The games our minds play on ourselves, I swear.

Never thought to wonder whether Switzerland had a steel drum band and yet. The things you learn.

The triathletes leaving their bikes at the ready for tomorrow’s race. I’m in full crew and support mode this weekend. (Which means, thank goodness, no, I am *not* racing.)

No, autocorrect, you are not going to get me to agree that "rollercoaster" is two words. Stop it.

June was a hodgepodge of experiences professional and personal and otherwise, which made it an emotional rollercoaster of a month. And with more of those ahead, too. observingleslie.com/...

Month-in-Review Highlights: June 2024 — Observing Leslieobservingleslie.com June was a hodgepodge of experiences professional and personal and otherwise, which made it an emotional rollercoaster of a month. And with more of those ahead, too.

🇫🇷 French word of the day: publirédactionnel = advertorial

Let the manuscript revisions commence! (Side note: Oooof.)

Ah, dagnabbit. RIP to an absolute master. www.nytimes.com/2024...

Robert Towne, Screenwriter of ‘Chinatown’ and More, Dies at 89www.nytimes.com Celebrated for his mastery of dialogue, he also contributed (though without credit) to the scripts of “Bonnie and Clyde” and “The Godfather.”

I’ve noticed an interesting confluence of holidays celebrating their nation’s founding over the three countries where I focus most of my energy these days: France, Switzerland, and the United States. observingleslie.com/...

Why and How France, Switzerland, and the United States Celebrate National Holidays — Observing Leslieobservingleslie.com I’ve noticed an interesting confluence of holidays celebrating their nation’s founding over the three countries where I focus most of my energy these days: France, Switzerland, and the United States.

Interesting that it seems you have to have something to hawk to get on a podcast or program, though I find product-promo-links guests almost always the least interesting.

Finding social media so exhausting in the global political climate. It's not the brain break it once was. Renewing my call for personal blogs. That felt more manageable and enjoyable, back in the day, especially when the world was almost too heavy to lift.

I an stuck on this excellent question. Feels like the answer is at the top of my brain and won't filter down. Anyone? Ideas?

What is the 2024 equivalent of the 1970's bit part "concerned secretary"

I love that a cat appeared to have been living its best life here. (No, not my car.)

In the Valais, the traditional cow breed, the Herens, has renown for its fighting spirit and the hierarchies inherent in its herds. observingleslie.com/...

Switzerland’s Herens Cattle Breed and the Battle for Cow Queen — Observing Leslieobservingleslie.com In the Valais, the traditional cow breed, the Herens, has renown for its fighting spirit and the hierarchies inherent in its herds. And boy, do they let them fight.

🇫🇷 French word of the day: encoignure = corner, edge, nook

I want to read more novels about people who’ve gone through the stages after childhood, youth, and the twenties into full-on adulthood. Frustrates me that they're so hard to find! observingleslie.com/...

What I’d Like to Read: Novels with Older Main Characters — Observing Leslieobservingleslie.com I want to read more novels about people who’ve gone through the stages after childhood, youth, and the twenties into full-on adulthood.

Reluctantly facing the fact that I'm one of the few people who prefers complex protagonists who don't need to be sympathetic or root-for-able. When it comes to reading preferences, whatever. 🤷 But when it comes to my own writing, I feel like I'm swimming upstream.

Last "blew you away" book you read?

Insightful for the authors among us...

Wrote a little how-to for authors thinking about putting together an in-person book launch event, with notes from how I recently did mine. suyidavies.com/essays/how-t...

How to launch a book — Suyi Davies Okungbowasuyidavies.com How to plan and execute your book launch event, with lessons from the launch of Lost Ark Dreaming by Suyi Davies Okungbowa.

Will never cease to fascinate me that an accent defaults most people into assuming the accented person is stupid or incompetent.

Art installation on the water here in Lausanne, this one to remind us about the flora and fauna in the lake. And gosh, do I find it pretty, swaying with the wind and the water movement.

I was late to the party for this fantastic episode of Burned by Books with @jsavrankelly.bsky.social but I made it before too much time went by and am so glad I did. 😀 It's such a fun listen. podcasts.apple.com/u...@jsavrankelly.bsky.social but I made it before too much time went by and am so glad I did. 😀 It's such a fun listen. podcasts.apple.com/u...

‎Burned By Books: Jennifer Savran Kelly, "Endpapers" (Algonquin Books, 2023) on Apple Podcastspodcasts.apple.com ‎Show Burned By Books, Ep Jennifer Savran Kelly, "Endpapers" (Algonquin Books, 2023) - May 31, 2024

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