Kimberly Menozzi's Blog, page 16

Thursday Thirteen - 13 Facts About John Lennon

This morning I decided I would pick a "topical" Thirteen for today's list. Sadly, it's a topic which marks a loss, but I think it's one worth remembering.

So, this week, I'd like to share with you
13 Facts About John Lennon
John was born John Winston Lennon on October 9th, 1940.
John and his aunt Mimi. His father abandoned John and his mother, Julia, in 1944. A short while later, John's aunt, Mimi, would take over raising him.
John and Julia. John learned to play guitar at an...

How I Got to Know Emily Miller (Ask Me if I'm Happy)

_ Emily

Being one of those writers from the "my characters tell me what happens" school, I'm endlessly surprised by the things I learn about my characters while I write the story. In this regard, they really do feel like friends I'm spending time with, getting to know them over time. Sometimes, the surprises are astounding.

Emily had a lot of those surprises in store for me from the start. When I first wrote the short story which became Ask Me if I'm Happy, I confess she wasn't terribly...

Guest Post on the "When Midnight Comes" blog!

I've done a guest blog on author Cassandra Curtis' "When Midnight Comes" blog - come see what I had to say about how I met my hubby, Italy, Ask Me if I'm Happy and even my own writing process. Share a little comment love, too, won't you?

Thursday Thirteen: 13 Excerpts from 27 Stages

I've been trying to write as much as possible this week, so I didn't have much time to plan a Thursday Thirteen. On short notice, this is what I've come up with:
13 Excerpts from 27 Stages
(a Work-in-Progress)


_1) "Oh, no. I've left my mobile in the room." Charles patted his trouser pockets and stood next to our table, looking around as though he'd dropped something.

"Why not leave it? I mean, we're only going to be down here a short while. Surely you could just return any missed...

A few thoughts on "Ask Me if I'm Happy"

_"Felicità
improvvisa vertigine
illusione ottica
occasione da prendere…

… E infatti, infatti non dimentico
la mia fotografia
e l'amore se non ce l'ho.
Ripeterei tutto quello che è passato
comprese le tue bugie
perché le scoprirei molto prima e senza aiuto."

"Happiness,
Sudden dizziness
Optical illusion
(An) opportunity to take…

… And indeed, in fact I don't forget
my photograph
and love, if I don't have it (with me).
I would repeat all that has passed
including your lies
because I'd...

13 Opening Paragraphs/Pages

This week, I've found inspiration in a number of places, not least of which include the opening pages of the novels I've read recently. I shared the source of inspiration which made me want to be a (better) writer in an earlier post this week, and that in turn got me to thinking about what makes a book grab you and want to keep reading.

I wanted to do this post to share the opening paragraphs of the books which are currently strewn about my desk at the present time. Some of them I read last...

Day Trip(pers)

Alle and I had a lunchtime "day trip" of sorts last Sunday. I shared the details on Silvia Mazzobel's Book After Book blog. Come on by and share a little comment love, won't you please? :)

How The Primroses Changed My Life (or, In Praise of Description)

The poster for the film version of Watership Down. _ 
When I was very young – about the age of nine or ten, actually – I saw the film version of Richard Adams's Watership Down. I was entranced by the often disturbing visuals (my parents had no idea what the film was like, as they never bothered watching it with me, thinking it was "just a cartoon") and captivated by the story. The idea that rabbits had such traumatic lives (and deaths) was something so absolutely foreign to me, I simply...

Thursday Thirteen: 13 Photos of My "Other Dad"

As many of my readers know, I lost my second father, my stepfather, Martin, two years ago today. I thought it only fitting that I should share some of my memories on this occasion.

So please allow me to present to you
13 Photos of My "Other Dad"


1) I remember taking this photo when Martin and Mom visited Italy in 2006. There was a spot in the castle of Fontanellato I called "My Magic Window" because it lent itself to making great photos. I could always make a perfect portrait of...

Thursday Thirteen: 13 Photos of Nice Legs!

I wanted to be sure to post this week, but commitments kept me from preparing a proper Thirteen - so I thought I'd throw something together on the fly. Unfortunately (?) this led to a lot of the more beefcake-y images on my computer coming up.

I thought about it and decided that, at least, the ladies wouldn't mind.

That said, please allow me to present to you:
Thirteen Photos of Nice Legs!


I know, you're expecting loads of photos of cyclists. You'd be correct in doing so. However, I...