"Time in Italy seemed less linear than it was at home, more of a space waiting to be filled with whatever delights the day might bring – exquisite miniature pastries behind the etched glass of an art nouveau window, a sliver of cantaloupe on a market-stall holder’s knife, amber and pink spritzes on a waiter’s tray, a flirty glance, a raised eyebrow, a tanned ankle in a tasselled loafer" - Ros Belford, Children of the Volcano

Welcome to Episode #96:

Get ready for a wonderful adventure today with Ros Belford - Travel Writer, Journalist and Author of Children of the Volcano: Finding Freedom and Making a Home for Three in Sicily. Enjoy this conversation and read her book - it’s a wonderful account of making a life in Italy and following the call.

Note: Ros Belford reads excerpts from her book, Children of the Volcano...

*Arriving on the island of Salina 16:29
*Discovering and falling in love with Italy 23:28
*The path of miracles 33.25

Children of the Volcano: Finding Freedom and Making a Home for Three in Sicily by Ros Belford

Children of the Volcano tells the story of motherhood and childhood on the Sicilian island of Salina. Izzy and Juno grow up playing on the beach, learning to swim over volcanic bubbles, hearing tales of Aeolian witches, fighting battles armed with jellyfish and watching Stromboli erupt on the horizon. But nowhere is paradise. The school is atrocious, the teachers scary, and there are power cuts, storms and an earthquake. However, an eclectic community of islanders take them to their hearts, friendships are forged and Salina becomes home. Full of humanity, vitality, honesty and optimism, Children of the Volcano is for anyone unwilling to give up dreams of adventure and excitement simply because of parenthood, lack of money and not getting things right the first time.

Visit Ros for travel guides, articles and more at Ros Belford

On Instagram: Ros Belford

Find all Shownotes at michellejohnston.life

© 2024 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2024

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"Perfection is static, and I am in full progress" - Anais Nin

Welcome to Episode #95:

Today I go on a whimsical journey through my process! Reading and working on my book. The book is done! Yet, I am most keen to record an audiobook first - so here I go. It’s a journey of ruminating over recent books I have read and what is happening IRL and certainly what is on my mind! There are quotes and beautiful moments to capture along the way, nothing is lost and life is good.

Enjoy xo

Find all Shownotes at michellejohnston.life

If interested in the list of beautiful books I have explored on Italy - Here is the List
( 90% I have read, the rest are on the shelf! )

P.s - Never under estimate a good bookshelf, nor the potential of it. I liken it, to planting bulbs at the end of summer - something to look forward to down the track when spring finally arrives!

© 2024 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2024

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"Be kind to yourself and just get going, because even if you are just writing a little bit, for a few hours a week - it adds up" - Kimberly Sullivan

Welcome to Episode #94:

Today I have a conversation with fiction writer Kimberly Sullivan and her recent novel Rome’s Last Noble Palace. Kimberly loves to weave a story that includes a contemporary and a historical perspective, in this case dual timelines. It is quite an alchemical process and a wonderful story about two women from different centuries in Rome, with one place in common - the Palazzo Brancaccio.

Kimberly and I have beautiful chat about the writing process. Kimberly shares great advice on fiction writing and how she approaches the craft and the creativity of bringing it all together on the page and into book form.

This is a lovely chat about her book Rome’s Last Noble Palace and Kimberly’s writing and traveling adventures in Italy - Enjoy….

Rome’s Last Noble Palace by Kimberly Sullivan

Two women. Two different centuries. One attic room

Visit for books, news, blog and travel news: Kimberly Sullivan & Instagram @kimberlyinrome

Feisty Deeds: Historical Fictions of Daring Women at Net Galley

Listen to our first conversation on the Podcast Series: Drink Wine and Be Beautiful
Nb: Women's Fiction Day is on June 8, 2024....

Find all Show Notes and details mentioned at:
michellejohnston.life

© 2024 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2024

Support the Show.