It’s been brought to my attention that some readers here might not know that I got my start writing stand-up. (30 years later, I have to work hard to simply stand up, but that’s another column.)
It’s also quite possible that since I collect husbands with
Celtic last names (Campbell and O’Connell), readers might not know that I am predominantly
Italian.
So when I was asked by Gemma Media – a terrific publisher of short, easy to read adult books- to write a crime series for them, it was just possible that my Italian background might come through. As it did for The Goddaughter series. As it did for…okay, all the others. I’m an Italian gal masquerading as a WASP, and I couldn’t keep a straight face if they ironed and botoxed it.
Melodie Campbell is Canada’s “Queen of Comedy” – The Toronto Sun
Comedy is my lifeline. Laughter is my survival kit. I love the Merry Widow Murder series that I’m currently writing for Cormorant books. It has humour in the form of my beloved character Elf. But I miss the old standup days.
Writing PIZZA WARS brought me back to my early comedy-writing days. It’s perhaps my most loopy book. Take a city (Hamilton) that’s known for steel mills. Take a population where a good many came from Sicily between the wars.
Take all that, try to fit it into a Police precinct, arm the place with Officer Rita “Mom” Gallo, and you can have some pretty funny things take place.
After all, who needs a gun when you have a wooden spoon?
Now available! At Amazon, and all the usual suspects. (If you like The Goddaughter books, check out PIZZA WARS!)
Amica. My French name - De Noux, masks the fact I'm half Italian. My mother was Sicilian-American born in the U.S. Her father was born in Sicily. The De Nouxs came to Louisiana vin the 1700s, before there was a United States.
ReplyDeleteThis is O'Neil De Noux. I can only post as Anonymous as this site says my web site URL is invalid. Funny.
Now, that I would never have guessed, O'Neil! I had you pegged as Irish-French :) I'm sure you'll agree that Sicilians make the BEST mothers! I think you'd get a kick out of Pizza Wars - if you can stand the loopy comedy (I always feel I have to apologize for that)
DeleteHey, paisana. My four grandparents emigrated from northern Italy. My series character, septuagenarian widow Lena Lombardi, is actually a swamp Yankee, Lombardi being her married name. That’s the closest I’ve come to anything Italian in my writing. Congratulations on your continued success.
ReplyDeleteEdward Lodi
I thought you might be a cousin, Edward! I'm delighted to hear it - thanks for commenting!
DeleteCongratulations and best of luck with Pizza Wars!
ReplyDeleteThanks Janice - do appreciate it.
DeleteAs I get to proof read these books and provide the Irish last name, I can heartily recommend both the humour and Italian wives.
ReplyDelete