PART 109: It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way.
We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life!
We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then back again in the Spring, and in California for the rest of the time (in a previous blog, I explained why we live in Italy only part of the year).
Step 1: As we explore areas and towns in Italy, we discover some gems worth sharing. Some of these are well-known tourist magnets; others are lesser known but always amazing.
This week's blog is about how travel influences my writing. This blog also marks the launch of the second edition of some of my travel-related books. They are all on sale at $2.99.
Step 2: Background
That was over 15 years and 9 books ago.
Recently, I've been revising some of my books for a second edition.
Step 3: Travel and writing
Traveling inspires me, living in Italy inspires me, meeting people who take risks to realize their dreams inspires me, and anyone who wants more than the 9-5 inspires me!
When I write, a story "comes" to me. For example, while walking up the Acropolis in Athens one evening, I met a stray dog who followed me to the top. The next evening, the same thing happened with the same dog. So, I began to wonder what life might look like through that dog's eyes. Soon, a flood of images from the past and present filled my imagination. A story began to form, and I wrote it down as best I could. That was the beginning of "The Dog on the Acropolis."
Other encounters, experiences, and adventures inspired other stories. I want to share some of them here, focusing on the recently published books as a second edition.
Step 4: She Seduced Me: A Love Affair with Rome
I vividly remember the moment in Rome when the idea for this book first came to me. I was in Trastevere, standing in a piazza, contemplating what sets Rome apart from other cities like Prague, Paris, and Vienna. Suddenly, it dawned on me: Rome is defined by its stories.
I set out to uncover these stories by interviewing street performers, befriending archaeologists, and delving into the city's history at the library. I also drew from my own experiences in the city and intertwined them with the lives of historical figures such as Augustus, Nero, Caravaggio, and Livia. Additionally, I sought out expats, locals, and Roman shop owners, exploring even the most hidden corners of Rome to reveal its secrets.
The result of my endeavors is this book, which offers readers an opportunity to comprehend Rome through the narratives that have shaped it throughout history.
Writing this book was an adventure as I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to engage with strangers performing on the streets of Rome, learn from archaeologists about the tales beneath the city, and gain insights from locals on their unique perspectives, such as their ability to spot an American from far away.
I am immensely proud of the end product and believe it offers a captivating perspective on Rome. Link
Step 5: I am John, I am Paul: A Story of Two Soldiers in Ancient Rome
I heard the story of 4th-century soldiers John and Paul during a trip to Rome. Their last recorded words to each other piqued my interest, prompting me to research their lives. This involved studying Latin documents, consulting with archaeologists, and spending hours at their excavated home on the Caelian Hill in Rome.
After 8 years of research and writing, the result is a powerful and emotional book. The story astounded me as I uncovered the historical record. I've received a lot of emotional feedback about the book, both positive and negative, but the beautiful and haunting true story remains with me. Link
Step 6: The Dog on the Acropolis
The story came to me while I was on the Acropolis. It's both an animal story and a work of historical fiction. The story follows Draco, a dog living in present-day Athens on the Acropolis, and Daria, another dog who lived when the Parthenon was being built. The reader is drawn into present-day Athens and the lives of several humans working in the Plaka at the base of the Acropolis. Draco happens upon the scene, and these disconnected individuals begin to form bonds with one another and the dog. In the evening, Draco ascends the Acropolis to sleep on the steps of the Parthenon, where he dreams of his ancestors who lived there. Through his dreams, the reader is drawn into Ancient Greece and becomes a participant in the adventures of Daria, a dog belonging to a stone cutter, and his wife.
The story gradually unfolds as humans and canines become transformed by one another.
I enjoyed writing this book and learned a lot from the research I did to make it historically accurate. Link
Step 7: Loving Hoping Believing
I went through a period of intense emotional attachment, great joy, and tremendous loss. During that time, I found a poem in my imagination every day. So, I wrote them down, and the fruit of that intense period of my life is this book of poetry. Link
Step 8: Lessons and Beliefs: Learning to Love
“Lessons and Beliefs” is a collection of stories about healthy and unhealthy love and the building blocks of a lasting relationship. The “lessons” are derived from real life experiences which the author shares in each chapter. The book is travel related, since the events recounted take place in Rome, Naples, Santorini and of course, California. Link
Step 9: Insights
Stories bring vibrancy to life, and I aspire for my books to offer insight and joy to others.
More next time.
All my books on sale at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and any fine bookstore: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mark-Tedesco/author/B00A504PO2?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true.
Amazon Italy- "Lei mi ha sedotto. Una storia d'amore con Roma": https://amzn.eu"d/13nuZCL.
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