Patricia Sands

Author

Italy

A touch of Italy with Barbara Conelli

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This week we’re going to take a short detour from the south of France and spend some time in Italy with my friend, travel writer Barb Conelli, whose book launch we are celebrating! Cue the fireworks, brass band, and bring on the vino! Va bene!

The author of Chique Secrets of La Dolce Vita, Barbara has just published the equally intriguing Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore. This new book focuses exclusively on the intimate and seductive knowledge of the magnificent city of Milan as only this author knows it. If you want to read about the main tourist attractions in Milan, buy an ordinary guidebook. But if you want to know about hidden alleyways where you will find special family-run shops and restaurants with fascinating histories and secrets known only to locals, read this author’s books.

You know how much of a travel junkie I am and I find her books absolutely delightful. The next time I have the chance to visit Milan, you can be sure her books will be with me. Just to make us even more excited for her, guess where she is spending the summer  …  Rome! You can follow along vicariously with her daily posts on her blog.

Roma – St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican – Patricia Sands Photography
Roma – The Coliseum – taken from the Forum – Patricia Sands Photography
Roma – Trevi Fountain – Patricia Sands Photography

Today she is going to share some of her thoughts on being a travel writer. In my next life, that’s definitely on my list of career choices! Take it away, Barb!

What Makes A Good Travel Writer?

People usually think that travel writers live a glamorous life: they enjoy wonderful trips, exciting experiences, exotic food, luxurious spas, and they have friends (and sometimes even lovers) all around the globe. Let me tell you the truth: It’s exactly what you think it is. It’s a dream come true and the most amazing lifestyle I can think of. Yes, basically it’s just gumdrops and unicorns.

However, most travel writers who make a living by writing about their adventures don’t work for National Geographic or another famous publication. Take me, for example. I’ve been a nomad since I was a toddler, thanks to my nomadic parents. (It’s not like we lived in a tent in the desert; we just loved to travel.) I spent years paying for my own trips, and occasionally writing about them, just because I loved it.

When I published my first Chique Travel Book (Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita), I thought it would be a great Christmas gift for my friends and family, and I had no idea what a whirlwind it would cause. I became a travel writer practically overnight, and only then did I realize that it had been my dream all along. Sometimes life needs to give you a major nudge so that you finally understand why you’re here on this beautiful planet and what you’re supposed to do with your precious life.

The morning I was leaving for Rome a couple of weeks ago, to start my annual Italian adventure, I got a lovely check from Amazon and realized that it would cover all my travel expenses and some more, for the first time in my life. I was sitting at the door on my red suitcase, with the check in my hand, thinking: “I have officially made it. I’m a travel writer.”

I’m often asked what makes a good travel writer, what you need to do and be like so that your writing is authentic, captivating, exciting and fun. Therefore, I have put together five tips for you today, my travel writer’s mantra. They may not work for everyone, but they’ve been the foundation of all my writing and I swear by them:

1. Speak the language

When people hear I’m fluent in eight languages and study two more, they tend to think I’m an alien. Of course, I’m not saying every travel writer must be a polyglot, but speaking at least some Italian, or French, or Chinese, can make a huge difference. Locals are more likely to open up to you when they see you try to speak their language, and it is so much easier to gather stories and anecdotes, and come across unexpected revelations and adventures.

2. Talk to the people

And I don’t mean just locals. For example, I love airports. Striking up a conversation with a stranger when you’re waiting for a connecting flight or enjoying a cup of coffee is very inspiring. Ordinary people are the source of fabulous stories, as life is the greatest writer of all. Don’t be shy – people love to talk about themselves and their life, and they enjoy sharing their experiences with fellow travelers. When you’re in your destination, talk to everyone. To waiters in restaurants, to store owners, people who walk their dogs in your favorite park in the morning. Good travel writing is not about places – places are only the stage where the real stories – people’s stories – unwind.

3. Write from the heart

Don’t be afraid to open up to your readers and share your emotions with them. Don’t try to be objective – allow yourself to be as subjective as you can. The purpose of travel writing, especially of narrative travel writing, is to take your readers with you and allow them to experience the same sensations, sights and smells that you are experiencing. Your writing is like a magic carpet and you are the weaver who is putting its threads together. Don’t be afraid of wild colors and lush ornaments, be bold, be vivid, be quirky, be fun, and always be yourself.

4. Slow down

If you want to tap into the energy and vibe of the place, you need to slow down. Sit on a bench or in a café, and observe. Feel the place, feel the people, watch their gestures, their moods, their faces. Become one with it, and take it in with all your senses. Don’t rush, don’t run around desperately trying to see all the sights. Again, it’s not about the sights – it’s about being able to find those hidden gems and delicate secrets that tourists don’t have a chance to see.

5. Be humble and don’t judge

Travel is the best school of life. It teaches you to be open-minded and respectful. When you travel or are getting ready to write about your travel experience, remember this: “It is what it is, and it is all good.” As an outsider, you will never be able to fully understand the motivation of people, their choices and their circumstances. This world is full of contrast and diversity, and we need to learn to accept, honor and love them.

About Barb:

Barbara Conelli is an internationally published bestselling author, seasoned travel writer & photojournalist specializing in Italy, and Chiquenist on the mission to bring Fantastic Fearless Feminine Fun into women’s lives. In her charming, delightful and humorous Chique Travel Books filled with Italian passion, Barb invites women to explore Italy from the comfort of their home with elegance, grace and style, encouraging them to live their own Dolce Vita no matter where they are in the world. Barb lives between New York and Milan, and as a real globetrotter, she’s always on the move, accompanied by her adorable and very spoiled beagle. To her, writing is like breathing, and she’s currently working on her new book.

Visit Barb at http://www.barbaraconelli.com and please come on back here next Tuesday to read my interview with this bubbly, enthusiastic, true Italian Chiqueniste! We’ll be sitting on a terrace watching the action on the Piazza Di Spagna in Roma, sipping a soulful vino rosso or perhaps a lightly sparkling prosecco, and waiting for you to join us!

Chique Secrets of Dolce Amore

Fascinating, enthralling and seductive travel and life tales about unexpected encounters with the capricious, unpredictable and extravagant city of Milan, its glamorous feminine secrets, the everyday magic of its dreamy streets, the passionate romance of its elegant hideaways, and the sweet Italian art of delightfully falling in love with your life wherever you go.

Download the book at http://tinyurl.com/buydolceamore and enjoy the book trailer right here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI0dJiaO6K0

Have you been lucky enough to visit Italy? We would love to hear about some of your favourite memories so don’t be shy. Share them with us right here! Grazie mille!

A warm welcome to Bonnie Trachtenberg

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Today I’m delighted to have author Bonnie Trachtenberg as a guest. We’ve become friends through our connections with the awe-mazing WoMen’s Literary Cafe and also the fabulous Love A Happy Ending, both of which are sites you should definitely visit as a writer or a reader.

 Here’s an idea of the type of woman she is. If you were having a bad day and wanted to call a truly reliable friend who would listen to you, give you good advice, and make you laugh … no matter what …then you would call Bonnie. She just has that way about her.

To quote from her website:

“Bonnie Trachtenberg graduated from New York University with a major in Film and Television Production. She promptly found a job on a B movie you never heard of. Four days later she retired from her film career after working the craft service truck and throwing her back out while attempting to lift a man-sized coffee urn.

Realizing she was meant to be a writer, Bonnie worked 4,749 crappy jobs (give or take) on two coasts before being published in a national magazine.”

See what I mean? She is hilarious! She went on from that not-so-illustrious beginning to write seven  children’s book adaptations, countless magazine and newspaper articles, and recently published her  award-winning novel Wedlocked.  All of her contact information can be found below and when you have finished reading her novel, be sure to let her know how much you enjoyed it. That kind of feedback means more to us writers than anything!

Before she shares some information with you, here’s just one of the many excellent reviews Wedlocked has received.  Oh, and by the way, you will laugh out loud when you read the story. I did!

“Wedlocked is a delight, filled with humor and heart. You’ll surely cheer as you follow Rebecca Ross’s trials and triumphs as she navigates her way to finding her true self—and true love—at last.”
—Francine LaSala, author of Rita Hayworth’s Shoes

Take it away, Bonnie!

7 Splendid Things You Should Know About Wedlocked: A Novel

by Bonnie Trachtenberg

  1. Wedlocked: A Novel is inspired by true events. In 1999, I had a brief, disastrous marriage, the events of which were so bizarre I knew they had to be turned into a book. Wedlocked, my debut novel, is the result. As difficult as that time in my life was, I was able to transform the unfortunate episode into an entertaining romantic comedy—my way of turning lemons in lemonade!
  2. The most unbelievable scenes in the book were not out of my imagination, they were taken from actual incidents. When I later conveyed the goings-on of my honeymoon to friends and family, I got used to seeing wide eyes and dropped jaws—another clue that convinced me the story lent itself to literature.
  3. Wedlocked was an award-winning finalist in USA Book News’ “BEST BOOKS OF 2011” (Women’s Lit/Chick Lit). It also made it onto Amazon’s Bestseller lists for Literary Fiction and Literature.
  4. I appear, phone in, or Skype in to book clubs who read my book in order to answer questions and talk about the story—as well as the story behind the story. I find that people are fascinated with determining the truth from the fiction and I am happy to oblige.
  5. Wedlocked’s biggest selling tool is word of mouth. I find this a huge compliment as it means that I’ve done my job well in creating a book that people not only enjoy, but enthusiastically recommend to friends, family and in their posted book reviews.
  6. Wedlocked is available in hardcover, softcover and ebook. You can now Kindle or Nook a copy for only 99cents. This is a limited promotion designed to encourage readers all over the world to familiarize themselves with my work and hopefully become fans!
  7. Wedlocked is available for sale at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Booksamillion.com and many other channels.

BIO:

Bonnie Trachtenberg is the award-winning, bestselling author of Wedlocked: A Novel. She was senior writer and copy chief at Book-of-the-Month Club and has written seven children’s book adaptations. She has also written for three newspapers and penned countless magazine articles. Trachtenberg lives on Long Island with her husband, four cats and a dog. Her second novel will be released in early 2012.

You can learn more about Bonnie and read her blog at: http://www.BonnieTrachtenberg.com.

Find her on Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/BonnieTrachtenberg and http://www.Facebook.com/Wedlocked

Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/writebrainedny

Buy Wedlocked on Amazon:

http://ning.it/qC1y2V

Buy Wedlocked on Amazon UK

http://ning.it/sEStFV

Buy Wedlocked at Barnes and Noble

http://ning.it/pPRGvC

You know from my tagline, I always say everyone has a story. Some are more unbelievable than others and it takes a strong character to turn some of life’s personal disasters into entertaining tales. There isn’t always humour to be found in many experiences but whether the situations have been good or bad, there are always lessons to be learned. How do you feel your story is going? May the next chapter be the best yet!

La Dolce Vita with author Barbara Conelli

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Enjoy this interview with Barb Conelli who understands exactly how to help everyone experience la dolce vita.

Congratulations on the publication of your delightful novel Chique Secrets Of Dolce Vita! I think a lot of readers are going to be making plans to visit Italy once they read it. Tell us what you have been doing in the past two months.
First of all, I’d like to thank you, Patricia, for inviting me to your wonderful blog! The past two months have been beautifully, amazingly hectic. The Kindle edition of my book has become an Amazon.com bestseller in the travel category (#8, but I hope to get to #1 during the book tour thanks to the support of my fans), and I’ve been receiving wonderful feedback from my readers. I’ve been humbled by their encouraging words. Also, I’ve been working on this book tour, and I’m very grateful for this opportunity to get closer to my readers.

How did you first begin writing about la dolce vita and all things Italian? Obviously you have a family history.

Yes, my grandma was Italian, born in Milan, and the Italian influence has been big in our multicultural family. My Grandma made sure I knew and loved everything about Italy – the culture, the architecture, the nature, the history, the people, and of course the food! I keep and treasure Grandma Lily’s book of family recipes and each time my friends come to visit me, we have a real Italian feast! I’ve been writing short stories, essays and articles about Italy for as long as I can remember, and last year I decided to write a book where I could share my personal, intimate, passionate encounters with Milan.

Have you spent much time in Italy?

Yes, my Dad did lots of business with Italy, I spent there a large portion of my teenage years, I studied there later on, and I’ve always loved coming back to see my friends and family. Of course, I also had my heart broken in Italy a couple of times – in a very Dolce Vita way (wink). Those lost loves belong to my favorite memories.

There are some wonderful characters in your book. Are they real?

Yes, the characters are very important because they create the stories, the atmosphere, the zest and the vibe of the book. They are real – I just changed a couple of names to protect the privacy of my friends and relatives. I wanted to bring Italy into the homes of my readers through the hearts of real people, especially women, who have been creating the face of Milan without being famous or living in the spotlight. I love talking to people when I travel, and for some reason strangers love chatting with me! Which is a great asset when you’re writing a book – it makes research very easy and fun!

And the restaurants? Can they in fact be found by visitors to the areas?

Yes, the restaurants are actually my favorite restaurants that I visit each time I find myself in Milan. I love the people and the food and the atmosphere… And of course, the personal memories that come with them. But honestly, I think Italy is the only country in the world that has no bad restaurants. Whether it’s a family trattoria or a Michelin restaurant, you’ll eat like a Chique queen. So whenever you’re hungry, just open the door of the nearest ristorante, and you won’t be disappointed.

I was surprised to discover that Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita is a book to be enjoyed by everyone but particularly anyone planning a trip to the areas on which you focus. It’s a “must” to take along on travels as you share so much great information that most people would never discover on their own. Were you aiming at any particular reading audience?

Thank you, Patricia! I was definitely aiming at women who love to travel and explore the world, but also at those who dream of traveling the world and who are in love with everything Italian. I didn’t want to write a travel book, and I don’t consider myself a travel writer. Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita is not a travel guide, it’s a book that reveals the secrets of Italy and allows you to indulge in your own Dolce Vita no matter where you are in the world. It’s a book about sunny days, kind people, values that we sometimes seem to forget in today’s hectic world, and the art of finding pleasure in little everyday things.

Your blog is such fun and informative and leaves readers in a very upbeat frame of mind. Has this always been your approach to life?

Absolutely! You know, I believe that life is too short to worry about what may happen, and to be blue about what has already happened. I’ve had a fair share of disasters in my life but I always try to look at the sunny side of everything and look forward to the future with optimism and expectancy. I’m an adventurer, and I’m also very spiritual. I believe we are the creators of our own life, and everything that happens is here to teach us something. Life is beautiful, and I dare to say I’m happy even when I cry. And I know that when life feels like too much to handle, I can always catch the first plane to Italy.

What are some future plans you might share with us?

Lots and lots of travels, of course. I’m working on my new book that’s going to be published in October – my readers can look forward to another passionate dose of Dolce Vita. To me, writing is like breathing, and Italy is a place I can’t live without. Put these two together and you have a very Chique life purpose. I love my life, and I hope my joy and passion shines through the pages of my books and turns my writing into a highly contagious happiness bug! Patricia, thank you very much for this interview. You are a very Chique woman, and I’m honored to know you. I love The Bridge Club and I look forward to your new novel!

My thanks to you, Barbara. Your bright outlook and philosophy on life shine through in everything you do! It’s a pleasure to know you. Keep those blogs coming so we can continue to enjoy all the fantastico information you share. Can’t wait for your next book!