Being a writer is a lonely job, but in a world where Wi-Fi extends to some of the most remote destinations, we are never truly alone. My new book, Four Seasons in a Day, started in this room. It’s the former liveryman’s quarters in a house we rented in Le Puy-Notre-Dame, a tiny Loire Valley village surrounded by vineyards. I adopted that room as my workspace and began to write about our misadventures in France.

At least a few times a week, I turned my notes into e-mails to friends and family whom I thought they would interest. I didn’t do that with the expectation that any of them would reply at length, or even at all. But I found it less intimidating to direct my musings to specific people rather than project them into the vast unknown.

Let’s keep the conversation going. The best way to do that is by following me on Twitter or on my Facebook author’s page. If you have story ideas or tips or would like to schedule me to speak at your conference or event, please contact me at deborah[at]deborahjacobs[dot]com.