Interview with Author Ivanka Di Felice

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?

 

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01BT52RTQ

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!


Is there anything specific that inspired you to write A Zany Slice of Tuscany?


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?
 

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!

 

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!)  

 

Great tips, Ivanka! Thank you!

 

Readers, here is the blurb for A Zany Slice of Tuscany.

 

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01BT52RTQ

 
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! :)

 

Readers, check out this great book by Ivanka Di Felice!

 

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01BT52RTQ

 

Purchase Link: 

 

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 Links:

 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8188137.Ivanka_Di_Felice

 

 

Ivanka's Books:
 
 
http://bookgoodies.com/a/B01BT52RTQ
       
 
http://www.amazon.com/Zany-Slice-Italy-Ivanka-Felice-ebook/dp/B00JZ0Y4BW/ref=la_B00K0QTUNC_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421996558&sr=1-1
    

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