When I started my novel, Emerging From Etna’s Shadow, it was supposed to be about my grandmother. I didn’t know much about her, so the project was always destined to be historical fiction. As I started writing, something unexpected happened: the characters took over. They guided me away from my initial plan, pulling me deeper […]
Category: Behind the Scenes
Take a deeper look at some of the scenes in Emerging From Etna’s Shadow for the background involved.
Blessed Salt & Narthex
When I was writing Emerging From Etna’s Shadow, , I wanted to ensure it was as historically accurate as possible. I pored over historical records and old newspapers to bring 1895 Sicily to life. But I also delved into the Catholic Church’s pre-Vatican II customs to ensure every detail felt authentic. A friend recently asked […]
Easter Egg Magic
Writers love Easter eggs; at least all the writers I know. For those of you who never heard the expression: an Easter egg is something a writer sneaks into a story that’s kind of an inside joke. It’s something most people won’t notice except for the people in on the joke. Let me give you […]
My Grandmother’s Keepsake
I have only one item that belonged to my grandmother. Since it is all I have of hers, it is extremely precious to me. It was sent to me by my cousin. Her dad was the oldest child and seems to have inherited whatever few possessions exist. I am so grateful for this link to […]
Uncovering My Grandmother’s Story
With Launch Day being only a week away now, I wanted to give an inside look at how I came to write this novel. It is the story of my grandmother, a grandmother I never knew, but whose life shaped mine. One thing I did know with absolute certainty is that she was greatly beloved […]