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Mark Tedesco is a writer and educator residing in California. Having lived in Italy for eight years, he enjoys weaving stories connecting the present to the past and exploring how deep human longings are expressed in relationships, events, culture and history.
Mark has written in the genres of travel, historical fiction, memoir, self-help and childrens’ fiction. His titles include: That Undeniable Longing, I Am John I Am Paul, Lessons and Beliefs, The Dog on the Acropolis and Loving Hoping Believing. Mark’s Dixi Books title, She Seduced Me: A Love Affair with Rome, brings to life Mark’s love for the magic of a city, in which he weaves history, personal stories and interviews into a tale that, little by little, also seduces the reader.
Mark:
What prompted you to start writing?
A: My primary occupation is teaching history (social studies) to high school students and mentoring new teachers in Los Angeles. I write in my free time.
My writing journey began when I started to record my experiences in a Vatican seminary; I wrote a sort of "journal" to reflect on this time of my life and understand how the pieces of my life fit together. When I finished, I showed this manuscript to my sister, and she said, "This is good. You should get it published". I had my doubts but went ahead and sent it to a few publishers. The Chicago Review press picked it up and published it soon after. The book is called That Undeniable Longing: My Journey to and from the Priesthood.
My latest book is She Seduced Me: A Love Affair with Rome. This book is not a history book, though it contains history; it is not a guide book, yet it includes travel tips. The book is not a memoir, though it consists of the author's experiences, and it is not a book of historical fiction, yet it contains episodes of history that bring the past to life.
She Seduced Me: A Love Affair with Rome is a book of stories that the city of Rome tells: its people, art, monuments, street artists, expats, Romans, and history. This is what makes this book different: it explores the city of Rome from the point of view of its stories.
Those who participated in this book's writing include expats living in Rome, Romans who have lived there all their life, and Italians from the north and south who now live in Rome. There are also the stories of street performers, restaurant owners, and the ghosts of ancient figures such as Nero, Augustus, Livia, and others.
Q: Describe the genre of your books.
A: I've written in the genres of travel, historical fiction, memoir, self-help, and children's fiction. I try not to confine myself to one genre though I am particularly drawn to historical fiction. It often happens that I find a story welling up within me; the genre then reveals itself.
Q: Most readers have an all-time favorite book and author. What are your all-time favorite book and author?
A: I have a wide variety of books that I like to read, from historical fiction to travel, from classical literature to contemporary biography, from bestseller to unknown works. The common thread for me is that a story has to be based on experiences to interest me. If I pick up a book and it consists of the author's thoughts, I get bored. If it is the author's experience, I get interested.
In my adulthood, the first book that spoke to me on a deeper level was Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh. It was as if I felt the author reading the story personally, and each episode, each struggle, was my own. The author was able to weave personal experiences into a fictional story in a way that intrigued me. After this, I found myself drawn to historical fiction with authors such as Margaret George and Steven Saylor. Saylor's account of a private detective investigating cases in ancient Rome covered multiple genres that I could not get enough of! I have other favorite books, but the list would be too long!
I've always enjoyed reading because getting into a book makes my life feel bigger. Being able to explore someone else's world broadens my horizons and experiences.
In childhood, I liked fantasy and adventure books, such as Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland.
Q: What words of wisdom do you have for our readers?
A: My words of wisdom come from others:
"Who am I to judge?" -Pope Francis
"A friend to all is a friend to none." -Aristotle
"In the end, we will be judged by how much we have loved." -John of the Cross.
"When someone reveals who they are, believe them the first time." -Maya Angelou
Q: Do you ever suffer from writer's block? How do you handle it?
A: When I suffer from writer's block, it is simple: I stop writing. A story has to grow organically, and if the story is not there, it is not there. I do not try to force it. More often than not, after a few days, weeks, or after some new experiences, the story starts to flow again. If it doesn't, then I acknowledge it, file it away, and open myself to be inspired by another story. I don't stress over it.
Q: Every writer I know is also an avid reader. I know I am. What new author have you discovered lately that you're reading? Tell us about him or her.
A: Joy Norstrom, "Flying the Nest" and S.C. Farrow "This is Not a Lie". These are two of my favorite new authors whose stories are based on experiences that take on the grittiness, humor, and insight of real life.
Joy Norstrom is a Canadian writer and social worker residing in Treaty 7 territory. She enjoys sharing stories about the human experience, exploring the outdoors with her family, and reading late into the night when she should be asleep. She has written several works about social issues, including the impact of poverty, loss, and grief on the individual experience. Whether Joy is meeting with friends, advocating for a socially just society, or discussing current events and eyeshadow tips with her teenagers, she can generally be found in conversation. Why? She believes human connection and laughter keep her grounded in a muddled world.
S. C. Farrow has been a writer and editor for over twenty years. She's worked on everything from educational texts to novels. She's also written and produced several films including a feature- length psychological drama. Based in Melbourne, Australia, she has a Master of Arts degree in Creative Writing. She occasionally teaches creative writing at various Melbourne institutions.
Q: If readers can read only one book this month, why should it be yours?
A: Because my book "She Seduced Me: A Love Affair with Rome" will transport you to that magical city for only 15 bucks! All the reviewers agree that the book takes the reader across the world, lets them experience aspects of the city that few know about, and then delivers them back home changed and grateful.
Q: What are you working on for your next release?
A: The working title of my new book is "Stories from Puglia," and it is a collection of stories from different places and times in southern Italy. From pirate invasions to coffee by the sea, the book will carry the reader back in time and to the present, gathering experiences.
For more on Mark Tedesco, check his website or follow Mark on GoodReads or on AllAuthor.
For more information on Jeff Bailey, go to his Home Page, or follow him on GoodReads and his LinkedIn Blog.
Today's Book Selection:
Two nuclear weapons are missing. Two M.P.s have been murdered. The only witness is Marine Corp. Lance Corporal Cassandra Sing is alone, unarmed, and out of touch with her chain-of-command, she decides that it is her duty to stop these men. So why did the government cover up the incident? "Action from the first sentence." "This book would make a great movie." Not On My Watch.
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