Mia always had difficulty getting ready on time in the morning. She always woke up tired, probably more so than when she had gone to bed. Once she had managed to drink a cup of coffee and a nasty-looking orange vitamin drink, she would put on a dress. Her biggest challenge was finding a pair of pantyhose with no holes – this routine drove her nuts every single morning. She knew she had to play-act and quickly gravitate towards a new life with Marco who was already ten years old. Besides, work was scarce these days… As she rushed out of the door, something got caught on her heel. “Shit!” It was a tie lying on the floor! What the hell was it doing there? I am not sure she really remembered much about the tie – in any case, she had no time for it now. She had to run to her meeting. She was late and jumped into a cab. Always in a rush! Then again, I guess that was why she loved New York: everyone was always on the move, regardless of the time of day or night. These were strange and trying times for Mia: looking at New York out the taxi window, immured within her “new self”, with the memory of me still fresh in her soul, she struggled to be the person I would be proud of, that I would look up to. And I do. From above, looking down, with a mixture of sorrow and compassion, hoping that she wins this struggle with herself and comes out on top. New York is not for chickens. There are millions of anonymous people, talented, ambitious, doing whatever it takes, twenty-four-seven, to make sure their dreams 18 come true.
Today we talk about A simple story. Me, myself and her, a book by Anne Lamunière and Maria Antonietta Bonacci published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the authors Anne Lamunière and Maria Antonietta Bonacci, to get to know them better, what was the moment that led them to the writing of their book A simple story. Me, myself and her, as well as what particularly significant experiences in their lives find expression in their book.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- What was the moment in your life that led you to the writing of your book?
At the right beginning of the first confinement in March 2020, Anne sent out a WhatsApp message to all her friends asking – whoever was interested – to participate in an improvised writing exercise by writing one paragraph at a time per person to create a story. After a few messy exchanges, we (Anne and MA) spoke and figured that we could do better. Hence, we decided to inspire ourselves from a quote by Jean D’ Ormesson: “There are days, months, endless years when nothing happens. There are minutes and seconds that contain an entire world”. This phrase seemed particularly well adapted to what we were both living at that moment. Day after day, we wrote in turns, correcting and adding to each other’s text. A paragraph to a page at a time ended up being our common story. Neither knew what the other was going to write until the next day. Just like in life: one never knows what is going to happen. We adapt to what comes along, whether good or bad.
- What particularly significant experiences in your lives find expression in your book?
Although our story is based on true facts, real feelings, and personal memories this short novel is fictional. It is a cocktail of the experiences we have both lived throughout our lives, of the people we have met and loved. We both experienced loss in our lives: Anne lost a child of leukaemia; Maria Antonietta lost a very dear friend to a brain tumour just a few weeks before starting to write this short story. The fact that we have both lived in Italy, Switzerland and the US (and strangely enough in the same regions) also had a significant impact on the book. We both related to similar souvenirs, landscapes, and people.
- What are the messages you want to convey with your book?
The book contains many messages. It speaks of love, of hope, of friendship and of the multiple challenges in life – acceptance, deception, denial, running away and dreams coming true when you truly believe in them and never give up even in the darkest of hours. Mia’s loneliness is the one we both felt at certain moments of our lives; precious friendships and love helped us both overcome these moments. The message we wish to convey is that anyone can have multiple new beginnings in life.
- How was it to work together on this book?
It was a wonderful personal adventure for both. This improvisation enabled us to know ourselves as well as each other in a much deeper way; it also allowed us to discover the art of writing. The book is the witness of a sincere friendship between two women who arrive at the first half of their lives and who take stock of their past experiences. As you well can imagine, many laughs-tears and sometimes strong discussions were involved. We held hands throughout the process which is already a small miracle and is the proof of a wonderful solid friendship.
- Are you planning to write more books?
It is” never as good as the first time” as Sade used to sing. This was a magical moment; let us see what the future holds!
Europe Books thanks the authors Anne Lamunière and Maria Antonietta Bonacci, once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside them on the editorial path that led to the publication of their book A simple story. Me, myself and her. We wish them the best of luck for their future works.
To you, my dear reader, I wish that this book resonates with your life experiences in love, friendship, dreams, challenges, commitment and that it provides you with new and pleasant, interesting ideas to live and face every day in love, friendship, in your dreams and challenges with the utmost desire and pleasure for life…
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy this very positive reading!
Your editor!