Fiona Basile Guest Blogger

Writing EncouragementWriting TipsWriting PassionWriting Inspiration
Written By Lisa Clifford - Author/Journalist

“We are making photographs to understand what our lives mean to us.” Such a wonderful quote from the photographer, Ralph Hattersley. I’ve always loved that line. And when I look at the insightful, inspirational photographs taken by our Art of Writing Alumni photographers, I sigh with admiration.

The ability to breathe life into photography has always been a talent I’ve revered. I can’t really take a good photo. Writing is my thing. The story behind the image is where I come in. So, I’ve worked with some of the most wonderful photographers over the years. People who infuse their images with their passions, and their lives. Their work is an explosion of what they love doing and seeing. I admire that so much!

Fiona Basile’s images of ocean swimmers and deep open water swimming are a photographical collection of what she loves doing and seeing. Art of Writing Alumni writer and photographer, Fiona, has taken some of the most gorgeous photos of her time with us in Florence. Have a look and have a read about her June Italian writing experience in this blog below. Let Fiona’s photos of food, and Florence take you to San Niccolò. I love how photos transport you. And that’s just what Fiona’s photos do – take you somewhere wonderful.

https://www.fionabasile.com/blog/artofwritinginflorence

The following is a reprint of a blog and photos posted on www.FionaBasile.com with full permission of Fiona Basile.


Florence, capital of Italy’s Tuscan region, is well regarded for its historic buildings and churches, its overflowing galleries of art and sculpture, and its food, wine, and rollings hills dotted with rustic villas and vineyards. For this photographer and writer [me], it also became the location for a five-day Art of Writing workshop with Australian author, journalist, and long-time Florentine, Lisa Clifford.

Set within the historic walls of Palazzo di San Niccolo, a former 13th century monastery near the Arno River, not far from the famous ponte vecchio (old bridge) and il duomo (the cathedral of Florence, Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore), 10 women from Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Holland, Scotland and the USA gathered to learn and hone their skills in the Art of Writing workshop, guided by Lisa and guest presenters.

Amidst a backdrop of ringing church bells, zooming vespers, medieval streets, and the waft of espresso coffee, we eagerly delved into the finer aspects of storytelling and writing a book, breaking open the detailed process of plot and place, pace and character development, narration, sense of place and scene-setting, dialogue and so much more.

Daily, Lisa shared her own knowledge, wisdom and passion for writing with us, having already successfully published a number of books including Death in the Mountains, The Promise, and Naples: A Way of Love (with photographer Carla Coulson). And we welcomed the insight, encouragement and creative inspiration of guest lectures Jane Corry and Lee Christine; literary agent, Kate Hordern; and Editor Philippa Donovan.

We set aside time each day to write; to practice what we’d learnt in the hours before; each day started at 9am and ended at 5pm. On a particularly colourful and vibrant day, we immersed ourselves in the sights, smells, sounds and edible delicacies of San Ambrogio Market. We were learning to sharpen our skill of observation and to help tell the story without being too obvious. How can we give our readers a ‘sense of place’ without spelling it out? How can we bring the scene alive and allow the reader to engage their senses?

By the end of the week, we’re all sharing an excerpt of what could be our next book. Certainly, many of the woman who attended are already accomplished writers and creative souls. I’m surprised to see what unfolds on my pages, and am intrigued to know how my story will continue to grow. The key is to write; just write! And we must write, every day!

The creativity and new learnings, and endless encouragement and inspiration filled my heart, mind and soul. All the yummy meals shared together filled my insatiable appetite! We had a truly fabulous group, and am sure there’ll be some exciting books to beyond down the track.

I’m pleased to say that I’m still writing, writing, writing, and practising my new skills. So, let’s see where this particular writing adventure leads in the future, for me.

 
 
Lisa Clifford - Author/Journalist

I was seventeen years old and as I watched my step on the suicidally thin strips of footpath, I never imagined that I would marry one of the Italian boys on the Vespas that shot up and down the tiny, medieval streets of Florence.

But one year after arriving in Florence to study Italian, I did fall in love. There followed eighteen years of going back and forth between Italy and Sydney, trying to decide where to live. During these early years of oscillation, I won a scholarship to the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. After graduating, I became a radio journalist and reported for 2GB, Kiss FM and corresponded for the ABC, 2UE and the American Radio News Network. Ultimately I moved into television news and while Associate Producer with Channel 10 I wrote my first book – Walking Sydney, A Guide to 25 of Sydney’s Best Walks.

During those eighteen years I always, always went back to Florence to see my gorgeous Italian boyfriend.

The move to live permanently in Italy and marry Paolo brought me two beautiful babies. Three books followed – The Promise, Death in the Mountains and Naples: A Way of Love. My current work in progress keeps me busy travelling all over Italy. I hope you’ll join me on writing tips, formulas, updates and manuscript developments on my blog.

After four decades of living in and writing about Italy, I decided it was time to share what I have learnt here in Tuscany by helping other writers achieve their dreams. My Art of Writing retreats are for beginning, emerging and established writers. We bring famous publishers and published authors to the Florence to teach and share their journeys.

I hope you can join me. I’d love to meet you and help you take your idea to novel, in what I think is the perfect environment for creativity.

— Lisa Clifford

http://www.lisacliffordwriter.com/
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