Liz releases a book: Discover “Lo-Fi,” a literary journey from Nashville to Paris

Liz, a former student of Langue Appart’, recently reached an important milestone by publishing her first book, “Lo-Fi“. Although she left Paris to return to Nashville a few months ago, Liz has never broken her ties with our beautiful city or with our school. Still passionate about the French language, she continues to take online private lessons. On the occasion of her book release, we had the pleasure of talking with her on Zoom to learn more about her journey, her love for Paris, and the impact of learning French on her writing.

1 – How did you discover Langue Appart’ (LA)?

Liz: “I’ve always been passionate about French, but despite years of university studies, I struggled to really express myself. I could read articles, understand films, but speaking remained a challenge.
I wanted a place where I could really practice, speak freely, and learn to navigate everyday conversations. I searched a lot online, read reviews, and when I found Langue Appart’, I knew it was the perfect place for me. I signed up, and it was one of the best decisions I made to improve my French.”

2 – Tell us about your experience in Paris before coming to LA.

Liz: “Before Langue Appart’, I already had a very special relationship with Paris. I had visited several times, and in 2019, I even lived in the Aligre neighborhood for three months thanks to a writing grant. My husband and I fell in love with this area. There’s a vibrant market, authentic cafés, and a real local community. It’s a neighborhood where you can truly feel the soul of Paris, away from the tourist crowds.”

3 – What is your favorite neighborhood in Paris and why?

Liz: “Aligre/Bastille remains my favorite neighborhood. I love the simplicity and authenticity of this area. The Aligre market is one of my favorite spots: it’s where I like to wander, discover local products, and chat with the locals. There’s a true neighborhood atmosphere, which has become increasingly rare in Paris. Outside of Aligre, I also appreciate the calm of Père Lachaise and the historical richness it offers.”

4 – How has learning French influenced your perception of Paris?

Liz: “Learning French with Langue Appart’ has truly transformed my Parisian experience. Before, even though I loved Paris, I was often stressed about the language. I felt frustrated that I couldn’t express myself the way I wanted to. But thanks to the lessons, I gained the confidence needed to interact with Parisians, whether it was ordering a coffee or engaging in a deeper conversation.
This made my stay in Paris much more enjoyable and enriching. I was finally able to develop my “voice” in French, which made every moment spent in Paris even more special.”

5 – Can you tell us a bit about your book “Lo-Fi”?

Liz: “Lo-Fi” is a very personal story for me. It’s the journey of a 20-year-old woman trying to find her place in the world, in Nashville, at the heart of the independent music scene. It’s a time of life where you’re searching for who you are, where friendship and love take on different forms, and where every experience feels both frightening and exhilarating.
Nashville is often associated with country music, but there’s also a very rich alternative scene that I wanted to explore in my book. “Lo-Fi” speaks to this duality, this contrast between the image of the city and the reality I experienced.”

6 – Does the French language influence your writing?

Liz: “For Lo-Fi, the influence of French is subtle but present. There’s something special about the way French structures thought and expression, and that has definitely found its way into my writing. But it’s mainly for a manuscript I wrote after Lo-Fi that French played a major role. This manuscript is set in Paris, and I use a lot of French in it. The language has become an integral part of my storytelling. I’m excited to share it with my readers one day.”

7 – Who is your favorite French author or what is your favorite French book?

Liz: “I have a great love for French literature. During my master’s degree, I discovered Colette, whom I adore for her sensitivity and the depth of her characters. I also have a deep appreciation for Virginie Despentes, especially her work Vernon Subutex.
It’s a book deeply rooted in Parisian culture, and I was struck by the way she captures the essence of the city and its inhabitants. This book resonates with my own work, particularly with Lo-Fi, as it also talks about music, culture, and urban life.”

8 – Tell us about some of your favorite places in Paris.

Liz: “Paris is full of places where I love to settle in to write or simply relax. My favorite café is undoubtedly Pause Café in Bastille. It’s where I wrote a large portion of Lo-Fi. There’s something about the atmosphere of this café that immediately puts me at ease and immerses me in writing. For evenings out, I enjoy going to Blue Bird, a bar that serves excellent martinis and gin tonics.
And when I need a good coffee to go, Nomad, near Rue Paul Bert, is my go-to. It’s a true coffee shop, rare in Paris, and the ambiance is always warm.”

9 – And what about restaurants?

Liz: “Paris is a city where you can discover a multitude of flavors, and I have my favorite spots. My favorite restaurant is probably Early June. I love the changing atmosphere of the place, with chefs who rotate and each bring their unique touch.
The natural wine there is fabulous, and the ambiance is everything I look for in a Parisian restaurant. I also really enjoy Le Grand Bain in the 20th arrondissement, where they serve wines that I know well thanks to my work in a wine cellar in Nashville. Finally, for a truly French experience, I love going to L’Avant Comptoir de la Mer in the 5th arrondissement, a small but incredibly authentic place.”

10 – How has Langue Appart’ changed your life?

Liz: “Langue Appart’ has been much more than a school for me. It’s a place that provided structure at a time when I needed it most. Writing a book can be a solitary and stressful experience, and coming to the school every day helped me stay focused. It offered me an essential balance between work and relaxation.
Honestly, I don’t know what I would have done without that routine. Langue Appart’ not only improved my French but also played a key role in my well-being and productivity.”