| New author Giulia Melucci released her first | | | | whatsoever and his creepiness was off the |
| memoir "I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti," on | | | | charts Lachlan was the hardest because the |
| April 8, 2009. In this April 2009 interview, Melucci | | | | wounds he left were still fresh when I was writing |
| discusses the inspiration for her book and her | | | | the book. But I did have the benefit of him being |
| suggestions for aspiring writers. | | | | far out of my life (as far away as Prague, I |
| Melucci's memoir takes readers on a journey | | | | believe) and feeling absolutely no responsibility to |
| through her colorful dating past, which masterfully | | | | him at all. In every case, I wanted to show my |
| connects with relevant related recipes. With | | | | own responsibility for the situation and I hope that |
| unabashed humor, Melucci demonstrates both her | | | | comes across. I have been a willing accomplice to |
| expert writing and cooking skills, exquisitely | | | | each of my heartbreaks. |
| blended together. | | | | Laura Cococcia: I'm a dedicated foodie, but |
| Laura Cococcia: I'd have to say my favorite | | | | definitely not a good cook. You're clearly the |
| recipe in the book was "Pear Cake for Friends | | | | expert here. Any words of wisdom for those of |
| with Benefits," (also since cake is my favorite | | | | us looking to break into the cooking scene? |
| food group) - and the story is perfect. I know | | | | Giulia Melucci: If you love food, you can cook. You |
| there are probably many, but if you'd have to | | | | just need to be confident and trust your own |
| pick your most memorable recipe-related story, | | | | instincts and be willing to take risks. I wish I could |
| which one would it be? | | | | be this way with my romances; I've taken my |
| Giulia Melucci: It's the story I tell in I Loved, I Lost, | | | | share of risks, that's for sure, but the other two |
| I Made Spaghetti with the recipe "Bucatini | | | | components are lost to me. So I suppose I can |
| Amatriciana with MP3 File Sharing Technology." In | | | | understand how other people wouldn't trust |
| this particular cooking episode my need to please | | | | themselves when it comes to cooking. I wish |
| hit its apex as I attempted to provide both dinner | | | | they would, just as I wish I could call on the |
| and the perfect soundtrack for my date. I was | | | | confidence I have in the kitchen when confronted |
| trying to make this simple pasta for Lachlan, a | | | | with a man who has my heart. |
| Scotsman who I met on a street corner and fell | | | | Laura Cococcia: In my experience, writing takes a |
| in love with instantly. | | | | ton of discipline and commitment. What would be |
| It was the first time I ever cooked for him and I | | | | your top two suggestions for aspiring writers |
| wanted to make something good while | | | | looking to hone their craft or simply get off the |
| simultaneously trying to download Led Zeppelin's | | | | couch and start writing? |
| Physical Grafitti onto my laptop; it was the only | | | | Giulia Melucci: I believe there is an athletic outfitter |
| thing he wanted to listen to (no other Led | | | | based in Portland, Oregon who popularized the |
| Zeppelin album, and I had just about every other | | | | phrase: Just do it. As in sports, so in writing. You |
| one, would do). I had no success in getting the | | | | just have to make a commitment to writing |
| album AND the bucatini were overcooked. Lachlan | | | | regularly. Inspiration comes from the act of |
| blamed himself for leaving to take a shower at | | | | writing itself. From doing, not thinking. Make a |
| the crucial moment in the pasta cooking. It was | | | | commitment to writing regularly, about whatever |
| the only time he would take responsibility for a | | | | you feel like writing about. Don't worry about it |
| limp noodle. | | | | being perfect, don't overthink it. (That's where we |
| Laura Cococcia: What were the challenges you | | | | get in trouble in every aspect of our lives.) It's |
| had - if any - in bringing your dates / boyfriends | | | | advice I need to tell myself over and over again |
| and yourself to life for readers? | | | | too. |
| Giulia Melucci: Bringing myself to life was easier, I | | | | Laura Cococcia: What are you reading right now? |
| have my schtick down after telling these stories | | | | Giulia Melucci: I'm reading my friend Lucinda |
| to my friends for years. The boyfriends were | | | | Rosenfeld's novel I'm So Happy For You, which is |
| more of a challenge. A couple are still good friends | | | | coming out this summer. It's a witty honest and |
| so I wanted to present a balanced portrait. Then | | | | courageous look at female friendship. And it's a |
| there are a couple I don't care about at all, I could | | | | great deal of fun. |
| just let it rip with them, and I did. | | | | Laura Cococcia: Who's your favorite singer or |
| The Marcus Caldwell chapter was the most fun to | | | | band of all time? |
| write because I have no feelings for him | | | | |