I’m not going to lie… putting book 5 out into the world is scaring the hell out of me.
I write what I call ‘living memoir’. I write ‘humour’ for the most part. Someone, and I wish I could remember who, said the ‘Rosie Life’ series is like ‘reality TV in book form’. I also read a writer say: ‘When you write you are very vulnerable. You stand on a stage and say this is how I feel does anyone else feel the same?’ … Book 5 is making me feel very vulnerable.
I knew what was going to be in Book 1 and 2 of ‘A Rosie Life In Italy’ as I already lived it before the books were published. I wrote Book 3 while it happened and I had book 4 up for pre-order at the end of Book 3. I had no idea what was going to happen in Book 4. It turned into a book about my mother’s experience of Italy.
Book 5 was the same. I put it up for pre-order at the end of Book 4 knowing certain things: I was grieving for my Dad and someone I loved dearly had been told they had incurable cancer.
But incurable is a very general word. After all life is incurable! We are all going to die and none of us know if we have 40 years, 5 years or a bus could run us over tomorrow.
When I put Book 5 up for pre-order I knew I was going to be going through emotional unchartered territory and to have to write about it scared me. I knew this book had to have an ending and I didn’t know what it was going to be… I knew the ending I didn’t want it to have.
Putting Book 5 out into the world of my lovely readers scares me. Some of my beta readers have said it is the best book I have written yet, but that does not give me comfort. I am scared it will go against my readers’ expectations. Book 5 includes lots about Italy as I got to know it more, and lots about its bureaucracy and navigating the Italian health system. There is some renovation but not as much as the other books, so that is why it might disappoint and that is why it scares me—Book 5 includes more of my personal life than the other books.
These books are my living memoirs. I don’t know what is going to happen. And I didn’t know what was going to happen in Book 5. It is a little different than the rest but I do hope you will enjoy Book 5 as much as the rest of the series. I will be anxiously waiting on your review to hear what you think of it.
Three days to go!
I KNOW I will love your book. You are a wonderful writer. Many of your stories about your family have made me laugh out loud and have made me weep. I understand your fear (I’m sure I would feel the same in your shoes, but I am certain you have nothing to worry about. ❤️❤️
Thank you, that’s very kind! xxx
I can’t wait to read book 5. I’m looking forward to this change you’re describing. You have nothing to worry about. XxxI
Thank you! Always kind and lovely as usual!
Rosie I have read all your books and feel I know you. I am a Rosie too. And at 76 I picked up and moved to Este, Italy, not knowing any Italian. I am in my forever home, though it is a rental, because having renovated 5 houses in my past, I realized that would be too stressful for me at this time in my life. I loved all your challenges and the humor. I feel like we could sit down and have aperitivo and be talking all night. Do not worry – it is YOU we want to read about. Your courage and humor are the constant. I look forward to reading it!
Thank you so much for the encouragement and wise words. Hopefully we will have that aperitivo some day but I usually fall asleep by 10 o’clock no matter how much I want to stay awake!! 😀
Just finished book 5 and loved it as much as the others (which I read this month). You write so evocatively. I can’t wait for book 6 to be written!
Thank you so much!
I’m so glad you’re keeping the house. From the moment it was presented as a possibility, my heart sank. I wish you absolutely the best in your new venture. As for Ronan, I completely understand your many mixed feelings about him. Same with my husband of 50 years. But he’s my soul mate, despite the many ways in which we both irritate each other. I would love him to be gone… at times. Then I realize nobody makes me laugh like he does, and I cannot imagine how empty life would be without him. Bottom line… marriage is impossible, until it’s not.
You are so right Carolyn! Wow 50 years, well done! Thank you for the wise words 😉
Hi rosie!! I want to let you know that I just finished your book 5. I have previously read your other books about living in italy, I get them free on my kindle account. I love Book 5!!!!!! It is absolutely my favorite of them all. I have to admit I was happy and relieved when you decided not to sell your lovely home. And your new idea of using the house as some form of a women’s writing retreat makes me want to shout sign me up, even tho I’m not a writer, I am a 78 yr old widow who loves the written word. I live in the usa in a retirement community in my own house with my mini schnauzer companion. I have just returned from a first time ever trip to Europe, it was always on my bucket list and finally my daughter helped make it happen and we went to Europe together and had an unforgettable experience!!!! Anyway, ill be reading book 6 one of these days. Looking forward to it. 😍
Thanks so much Linda, I’m so glad you liked book 5, I was nervous about it! Great that you had such a great trip with your daughter! xx
Rosie writes reality, and in book 5 she shares some of the trials involved in living in another country, and it completes story. Visiting, touring a new place is different from moving there and navigating all of the necessary obstacles to settling in. I love Rosie’s style and look forward to more!
Thank you so much!
Not to worry! Just finished Book 5 and really enjoyed it, as I have your others. I didn’t have any expectations about what it “should” be, but what I like about your books is that they’re honest. The good, the bad, and the ugly. The only hard part is pacing myself so I don’t read them all in one sitting. I want them to last longer! Best wishes on your next “chapter”. Can’t wait to read about it!
Thank you so much!
Just finished Book 5 and, while I understand your fears, they were unfounded. It was remarkable and I enjoyed every word, even the painful ones. Your vulnerability was on full display and touched my heart. Kudos!
Thank you so much!
I have greatly enjoyed your living memoir and have looked forward to each edition. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I appreciate you and cannot wait to hear about the changes coming. Hugs from Seattle, Washington USA.
Thank you so much Valerie! xxx
Hi thank you so much for book 5 …I have followed your ups& downs in books1-4… made me laugh cry and relive my 20 years in Naples .a very different time I could write a book !!z!. I am at the stage of deciding at 80 to return or see my time out here in Uk ..I lived your anger and emotions and I salute you .again … Grazie di cuore e spero che la pace continua nella tua vita ….ciao
Thank you so much for taking the time to write and for reading my books. It’s a real compliment when older wiser women with experiences in Italy appreciate my words. Lots of love and I do hope you get back to Italy 🙂 xxx
I have so enjoyed reading your books about life in Italy. Looki g forward to more. Espe ially as Im waiting for my dual citizenship to Italy to be finalized . You inspire me to work toward my goal of teching an artists workshop there . Probably in Sicily as i have relatives there.
Fabulous!
Oh. My. Gosh! I could not put these books down! I have read all 4 so far. Rosie, your recounting of renovating your Italian home was exactly what we went through when renovating my husband’s family home in Croatia. The same bureaucratic system, bogged down by inane rules. Workers who ripped us off, or just didn’t show up.
We also finally found a fantastic gentleman (who was Bosnian) and his crew who finally made our house something to be proud of. Well done sticking to your convictions and going for it! I too had the language barrier a bit, although I did have my husband who is still fluent. I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated your books!
Thanks so much! So glad your renovation turned out well too eventually! xx
Rosie, I have truly loved your 4 other ‘Life in Italy’ books! I am a new mom and was hoping to listen the 5th one as reading these days is tough. Any plans to add on Audible?
Hi! Congratulations! Perhaps next year but not planning to add it to Audible yet. 🙂