Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Does the World Need Another Blog?


Probably not. But here it is anyway. Welcome to the first edition of Italian Intrigues where I’ll be writing about my three passions: life in Italy, food and wine, mysteries and crime.
I’m an American who’s lived in Italy for more than 12 years, the past nine in Rome. For a long time, I’ve toyed with the notion of writing crime fiction. I’ve plotted and researched numerous ideas over the years, often as a non-lethal way of seeking revenge against people who irked me. I figured out how to kill a member of a certain state assembly in the members-only chamber, for example, and I discovered a way to knock off an annoying neighbor while I was out of town.
Here in Rome, I’ve merged my three passions to create a pair of characters who explore Italy’s culinary scene, which is littered with dead bodies. She’s a journalist who has moved to her mother’s native Italy to build a new career as a food writer. He’s a professor of Italian culinary history and traditions at a 700-year-old university. When their paths cross, sparks fly. She uses her nose for news and he uses his professorial curiosity to unmask killers.
My passion for Italy was kindled by college art history classes that opened up the Renaissance for me and made me long to visit Florence. Soon after graduation, I had an opportunity to live in Tuscany for three years—a short train-ride from the Florence of my dreams. While there I learned to make pasta with an Italian chef and lugged a pasta machine (about the same weight as an anvil) back to America when I returned. And my career as a cooking teacher was launched. Pasta 101 led to Heart Smart Italian Food which led to Delicious Desserts which led to…. You get the idea.
And all this led to a newspaper column called A Matter of Taste, where I wrote about food and culture. For five years that Wednesday deadline had to be met regardless of where I was or how I felt. So, I’ve decided that Italian Intrigues will be posted every Wednesday to satisfy my need for a deadline and to perhaps recapture the fun I had writing that column.
I hope you’ll drop by often. Or better yet, subscribe to the RSS feed by clicking the little orange square in the address line above. And please post a comment if the mood strikes you.
See you next week.

39 comments:

西雅图陈彤 said...

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Thanks!

Ellis Vidler said...

Patricia, I certainly like your subjects! Your characters are interesting too. Whether the world needs another blog is not a question I'd attempt to answer--we all have them now, so let's just enjoy them, kind of like dessert.

Patricia Winton said...

Tongchen, I tried to open your blog, but it was in Chinese! Thanks for your comment.

Patricia Winton said...

Ellis, somehow you've been listed as a follower before I ever posted the blog. Don't know how that happened. Thanks for your kind words.

Donnell Ann Bell said...

Patricia, love it! And, yes, the world needs another blog -- particularly about this one. Love the subject matter!

Kath said...

It's not a question of whether the world needs another blog, it's a hurrah for Patricia's! I'm so pleased that you have begun again!!

Patricia Winton said...

Donnell, thanks for your support. I'm glad you like the subject matter.

Patricia Winton said...

Kath, thanks for the cheer. I'm moving slowly, but I am beginning. Again.

Unknown said...

Oh goodie! More of your wiriting from Italy! I'e missed the notes over the last few years. They are such a delight to read.

Edith Maxwell said...

The blog looks great, and I look forward to reading about some of my favorite topics, too! Italian food and wine? Crime and mayhem? The more the better.

Edith
http://edithmaxwell.blogspot.com/

VR Barkowski said...

Food, wine, and Italy, PLUS mystery? Talk about a winning combination! Add in my plan to spend September in Italy (it's been twelve years since my last visit), you can bet I will be hanging on your every word, Patricia.

Is there room for another blog? Definitely. Welcome to the blogosphere!

Patricia Winton said...

Melba, Edith, Viva, thanks for your encouraging words.

June Shaw said...

Patricia,

Oh yes, we need another blog. We need this one! How much fun is this. Love it!

Supriya Savkoor said...

Patricia, if you hadn't started this blog, I would have been hounding you to do so. I can't wait to read all about your travels and adventures. And if you need any help with the taste-testing, I'm here to help (will travel for food). Love the blog!!

http://noveladventurers.blogspot.com/

Patricia Winton said...

June and Supriya, so glad you stopped by. Thanks for your support. Ah, the tasting, Supriya. I'll send things via email.

Alli Sinclair said...

Hi Patricia! I look forward to reading more about your adventures in wonderful Italy. Welcome to the blogosphere!

Alli

Patricia Winton said...

Thanks Alli. I check in with Novel Adventurers regularly.

Grace Topping said...

Hi, Pat -- I remember the stories that my grandfather told me about Italy, and he taught me how to cook, many years ago. I look forward to vicariously enjoying your life in Italy. It sounds wonderful.

Grace T.

extreme quilters said...

Patricia,
Great Blog!

Heidi Noroozy said...

Patricia, what a wonderful subject for a blog. I'm looking forward to reading about your adventures in Italian cuisine and life.

Gail M Baugniet - Author said...

Patricia, I look forward to reading more about Italy, food, wine, and your progress in writing a novel. I spent a couple of weeks in and around Rome and Lake Garda some years ago and your blog will bring back good memories.
A fellow Guppy,
Gail

http://www.gail-baugniet.blogspot.com

Hank Phillippi Ryan said...

Oh, wonderful! and we can live vicariously through you... xooxo

Anonymous said...

Rome...food and wine...crime fiction -- what great topics!

Kris Neri

Patricia Winton said...

Grace, Celeste, Heidi, Gail, Hank, Kris, I'm so glad you all checked in to read my first post. I've felt all along that I have a winning combination and you are certainly confirming my thoughts.

Kaye George said...

Gratie for the new blog, Patricia! I'm looking forward to it.

Patricia Winton said...

Thanks, Kaye. Hope this is a great day for you.

Kaye George said...

Thank you, Patricia. So far it is!

Warren Bull said...

What you're writing about sounds like fun. Food and murder in the eternal
city of Rome.

Patricia Winton said...

Thanks, Warren. It's fun at my end. Hope it turns out to be for the readers.

Kath said...

Is it Wednesday again, yet?


Kath-lettersfromearth.blogspot.com

Patricia Winton said...

We're not there yet.

Unknown said...

This is great! This is my first experience with a blog...Thanks to Vetron for encouraging me to delve into the unknown...again! I am really looking forward to more.

Patricia Winton said...

Vetron told me she'd passed on the information about the blog. I hope you'll check in regularly.

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