My guest today is Ivanka Di Felice. Hello! Welcome back to Writing in the Modern Age!
It’s such a pleasure to have you here again.
Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book? When did it come out? Where can
we get it?
It is entitled A Zany Slice of
Tuscany and it was released April 7, 2016. It is available on Amazon.
Great! Congrats on your new release!
There have been many books written
about ex-pat life in Tuscany but because I have relatives here, my life is
considerably different so I thought I would share my "Zany" version
of life in Tuscany.
All right.
If your book was made into a film, who would you cast in the starring roles?
Drew
Barrymore could play me while Orlando Bloom or Jeremy Northam could play my
husband as they both look like him.
Sounds like a plan! :)
So...let's tackle some general questions.
When reading, do you prefer traditional printed books or ebooks? And why?
When reading, do you prefer traditional printed books or ebooks? And why?
I definitely prefer the printed page and still order almost all of my books in print. After I've read them I love putting them on my bookshelf, giving others who browse them a glimpse into who I am and what I like. They are also great conversation starters.
Makes sense to me! So, what are you reading now?
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.
Interesting!
So, let's try another question.
When you get an idea for a book, what comes first usually? Dialogue, the characters, a specific scene? Or do you plot it out before you write?
I write humorous memoirs, so situations and the characters in my life
dictate what I will write. I jot down funny circumstances and then elaborate on
them by adding further description and dialogue.
Okay.
What do you have planned next, Ivanka? Or is that a secret?
Continuing with "the Zany Series" my next book
which will be released this summer will be entitled My Zany Life: Growing Up in
a Rooming House. It is my story of growing up in a rich neighborhood
but being poor. In order to afford the house my parents turned our family home
into a rooming house. The book is my memories of growing up in a swanky West Toronto neighborhood,
among a cast of eccentric and on occasion, dangerous characters.
Ooh! It definitely sounds interesting!
Continuing with "the Zany Series" my next book which will be released this summer will be entitled My Zany Life: Growing Up in a Rooming House. It is my story of growing up in a rich neighborhood but being poor. In order to afford the house my parents turned our family home into a rooming house. The book is my memories of growing up in a swanky West Toronto neighborhood, among a cast of eccentric and on occasion, dangerous characters.
Ooh! It definitely sounds interesting!
So...is there anything you'd like to add? Any advice for new writers?
If you want to write, keep at it. Don't be discouraged if
your first draft is not as good as you expect it to be. I think it is important
to keep going over your draft and improving upon it each time. Some days your
writing may not be as good as other days, but write something, then polish it
later. As bored as I get going over my own draft I keep at it until it is as
good as I can get it before I hand it off to the editor. Not everyone may like
my writing style but at least I know I have provided a quality product to the
public as far as spelling and grammar goes (thanks to my editor!)
If you want to write, keep at it. Don't be discouraged if your first draft is not as good as you expect it to be. I think it is important to keep going over your draft and improving upon it each time. Some days your writing may not be as good as other days, but write something, then polish it later. As bored as I get going over my own draft I keep at it until it is as good as I can get it before I hand it off to the editor. Not everyone may like my writing style but at least I know I have provided a quality product to the public as far as spelling and grammar goes (thanks to my editor!)
Great tips, Ivanka! Thank you!
Great tips, Ivanka! Thank you!
Readers, here is the blurb for A Zany Slice of Tuscany.
Taking up where A Zany Slice of Italy leaves
off, New York Times best-selling
author wannabe Ivanka
Di Felice offers us more hilarious adventures in her beloved Tuscany.
Readers, here is the blurb for A Zany Slice of Tuscany.
Taking up where A Zany Slice of Italy leaves
off, New York Times best-selling
author wannabe Ivanka
Di Felice offers us more hilarious adventures in her beloved Tuscany.
The tenacity
with which Mrs. Di Felice still chases her dream is remarkable. She yearns for
the glamorous life of Italy in pictures; meanwhile, she’s the poster child for “forty
is the new sixty.” She dreams of fine restaurants and scintillating
conversations, yet finds herself among a cast of Seinfeld-like characters. And while the rest of Italy lives it,
the Slow Movement eludes her—ironically, when spending time with relatives in
their eighties.
The author’s mother once said, “Perhaps you are not living your dream
but rather the one that mischievous bella
Italia had up her sleeve for you—a dream that demands a full range of
emotions daily.” Knowing how happy Ivanka and her husband are, despite life not
always delivering what they wanted, her mother wisely added, “This shows that
our dreams are not always the best for us.”
A Zany Slice of Tuscany not only gives us an insider’s look at the many beautiful
moments of living abroad, but also transports us into a rarely
seen Italia. Funny stories are recounted with wit and affection
and don’t leave you feeling negative, but instead as if you’ve finally lived . . .
in Italy.
What people are saying about Ivanka's books:
"Some books we read for intellectual reasons. Read this book as a
tonic for finding humor in just about everything we encounter.
Bravissima!" - Grady Harp, HALL OF FAME TOP 100 REVIEWER VINE VOICE
"This is now officially one of my favorite books." - Whistlers Mom, TOP 500 REVIEWER
"The book is well-written and expertly edited." - Italophile Book Reviews
"This
book is so well written, so refreshing and truly funny. Moreover, it is
completely different from other books about la dolce vita in Italy, or
any other place for that matter. I devoured it and I was sorry to get to
the last page. This is a book to keep. Do yourself (or someone else) a
favour and enjoy this Italian ride! Definitely a five-star." - Triene-Mie Le Compte, author
Wow! Thank you for visiting us on Writing in the Modern Age, Ivanka! :)
Wow! Thank you for visiting us on Writing in the Modern Age, Ivanka! :)
Readers, check out this great book by Ivanka Di Felice!
Purchase Link:
Amazon Universal: http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01BT52RTQ
Amazon Universal: http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01BT52RTQ
Author Bio
Ivanka Di Felice is a writer living
in Tuscany. She will assure you that it's far less pretentious than it sounds.
She was born in Toronto, Canada. She is 39 years and 94 months old. In her
quest for happiness, she followed Nora Ephron’s advice: “Secret to life, marry
an Italian.” She’s written a book titled A Zany Slice of Tuscany describing
her recent adventures.
Author Bio
Ivanka Di Felice is a writer living
in Tuscany. She will assure you that it's far less pretentious than it sounds.
She was born in Toronto, Canada. She is 39 years and 94 months old. In her
quest for happiness, she followed Nora Ephron’s advice: “Secret to life, marry
an Italian.” She’s written a book titled A Zany Slice of Tuscany describing
her recent adventures.
Author Links:
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8188137.Ivanka_Di_FeliceAuthor Links:
Ivanka's Books:
Marie, I love that you have such a wide range of things to share
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks, Barbara! :)
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