Every story begins with a question. For me, it began with many—quiet, persistent questions that had been echoing in the corners of my mind since childhood. My debut novel was born from that restless curiosity, shaped by the mysterious beauty of faith, the wisdom of old stories, and the weight of choices made and unmade.
As a first-generation Canadian, I grew up listening to my father’s vivid tales of life back home in Italy—stories steeped in tradition, struggle, and a kind of poetic resilience. These weren’t just anecdotes; they were windows into a world I had never lived in but somehow felt deeply connected to. At the same time, I was influenced by the rituals and teachings of the Catholic Church, where mystery, symbolism, and a sense of moral consequence wove themselves into my imagination. The Church raised questions as much as it offered answers, and I found myself fascinated by the space between the two.
My book explores those spaces. It asks what happens when belief meets doubt, when family legacy clashes with personal truth, and how the past can linger in the quiet moments of the present. The theme that every action has a reaction pulses throughout the story—sometimes in subtle ripples, sometimes in crashing waves. That idea, simple and ancient, became the thread that tied everything together.
Stylistically, I drew from the mystery and suspense novels that kept me up late as a teenager, pages flying as secrets unfolded. I wanted to write something that honoured that sense of urgency and discovery, but with a more introspective, emotional core.
Writing this book was both a return and a reckoning—a return to the roots of my imagination and a reckoning with the questions I’ve long carried. It’s a story layered in heritage, faith, and the invisible threads that connect us across time and distance. And this is only the beginning. I can’t wait to share more stories with you—stories that stir the soul and leave a trace.
The Mind's Escape 
Leave a comment