Internet Chapter

Virginia Lo Monaco
Writer



Virginia Lo Monaco is a soprano--not of the Soprano family. Virginia stays on the gentler side of life, singing, reading, and writing. At the moment she resides in Sicily, so you could say she is one of our international members. Though she speaks the language and is an active member of life on the other side, she's still a California lady.

One thing is for sure--Virginia is disciplined. She works at writing. Every day. And participates in the SinC-IC Writing Workshop. What's more--she enjoys writing, never knowing what surprises await. She's also a voracious reader. And a discriminating one. A book must satisfy if it is to be read to completion.

See what life is like from one writer's perspective. You can see where Virginia is coming from by her choice of quotation.


I treated art as the supreme reality and life as a mere mode of fiction. De Profundis, Oscar Wilde.

IC
When did you first become interested in reading mystery/crime fiction?
Virginia
From the age of four, I've been addicted to reading. Anything within reach that had words printed on it: non-fiction; fiction; cereal boxes; matchbook covers. When I could get my hands on a book, up until about two years ago I usually chose science fiction and fantasy, along with classics and history. Then, after I tried writing SF and found that I wasn't really gifted in that direction, I got interested in mysteries. Since that time, I must have bought at least 200 mystery/crime novels. I'm afraid that I've really become hooked on the genre. I read and re-read most of them, studying how the really successful ones are put together.
IC
Studying the structure of novels you like is exactly what Lawrence Block recommends in Writing the Novel. Are the "successful" ones you've mentioned the same as the ones you like the best?
Virginia
Not always. Some very successful novels are not my favorites. There are an awful lot of good writers out there and it seems to me that whether or not a book becomes successful is mostly due to luck and/or good publicity. I can think of lots of bestsellers that were poor examples of the art of writing.
IC
How are the pickings for English language crime fiction in Sicily?
Virginia
Pretty slim. I can't recall seeing any crime fiction in English. Not even in Palermo, which is about thirty miles from where I live. There are lots of mystery/crime/suspense novels translated into Italian, but, if there are any in English, I haven't seen them. I've read Tom Clancy, Ken Follett, Mary Higgins Clark and Kathy Reichs in Italian. I don't read much in Italian because Amazon UK is just a URL away.
IC
Are there some Italian mystery/crime fiction authors you'd recommend?
Virginia
I hate to show my ignorance, but the only Italian mystery/crime fiction author I know is Umberto Eco.
IC
Have you noticed a "take" or perspective different from the US in crime fiction written by European authors?
Virginia
The only European authors that I can think of are those from England. They do seem to have a more "cozy" approach. That's not to say that all English mystery/crime authors write cozies. It's just my take.
IC
With all that reading, what appeals most to you?
Virginia
Almost anything well written. I'm presently reading Oscar Wilde, Pilate by Ann Wroe, and Small Vices by Robert B. Parker. Almost everything interests me. However, if a book is poorly written, not even the most interesting subject can keep me reading.
IC
What's the one thing that will keep you reading through the night?
Virginia
A story that flows; one that's well written. Some of my "all-nighters" have been: Pacific Beat by T. Jefferson Parker; Running from the Law by Lisa Scottoline; To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis; Mr. White's Confession by Robert Clark; all the Janet Evanovich novels; and so many others that I can't recall them all.
IC
What is the one thing that will make you throw a book aside, never to be read again?
Virginia
Poor writing. There are too many good books available; I haven't the time and inclination to spend my precious moments with a badly written book. I don't mean just bad grammar. I mean situations that are implausible, dialogue that's unbelievable, or obviously contrived plots. As a matter of fact, about a month ago I bought a book that had been highly touted as "great." Several people on one of the writers' lists I belong to praised it and amazon.com had three or four good reviews. About three pages into the book and I was finished. I'd rather re-read T. Jefferson Parker or Janet Evanovich than try to struggle through that very poorly written book.
IC
So, you are currently writing crime fiction?
Virginia
Yes. I'm making the big attempt. I tried writing Science Fiction and bombed out. I love Science Fiction, I've read it almost all my life, but I'm just not cut out to write it. I guess I'm just too well-anchored in reality. I find it much easier to write about the real world. I also love puzzles, and mystery/crime fiction is all about solving puzzles. Hopefully, I'll sell my work and be considered a successful writer.
IC
What locale do you favor in your fiction?
Virginia
Southern California. I'm just a California Girl and that's where my heart is. Also, even though I live in Sicily, I'm not Sicilian and the Sicilian mystique is still an enigma to me. I understand what they say, but I often don't understand what they mean. If we're not born to the culture, there are certain things that we can never learn, no matter how well we speak the language. More often than not, when I'm with others and something is said in Sicilian that I don't quite understand, I'm told that "it's better that you don't understand." I'm obviously the outsider here.
IC
What prompted your interest in SinC-IC?
Virginia
I can't remember exactly how I found out about SinC-IC, but I joined because of the "workshop" feature. I thought that SinC members could help me with my writing. I wasn't wrong. They've been very helpful. However, I could wish for more workshop members. I also wanted to belong to a group of writers, to feel part of a great organization: to feel like a writer.
IC
What are you most looking forward to in the US?
Virginia
Going shopping at the mall. Just kidding. My children and grandchildren. My sister and brother-in-law. The availability of everything. The different restaurants, the movies I can see, the books I can buy, or even check out at the library, people that speak my language, going to a Sisters in Crime gathering--in person, going to a Bouchercon, seeing old friends ... being home.
IC
How prevalent is the use of the Internet in Balestrate?
Virginia
Very. We're pretty much electronically advanced. No one has ever heard of a garbage disposal, but even little kids have cellular phones. Balestrate even has its own web site: Balestrate
IC
What will you most miss about Sicily--the food?
Virginia
No. Grin The people. Everyone in this town knows me, and I know almost everyone. Everyone I pass says "buon giorno" or "buona sera." People I don't even know speak to me as though they know me. Of course, there are always some people that aren't quite as "nice" as we'd like, but most people here are very friendly. As an example: when you're in a town that you're not familiar with, you just need to stop the closest person and ask where whatever it is you're looking for is. Chances are, that person will lead you, on foot or in a car, right to where you want to go. This is not an exaggeration. It's happened to me many times.
IC
In terms of fun, how did writing your novel compare to writing science fiction short stories?
Virginia
Oh, no comparison. Writing SF short stories was work. Writing a mystery fiction novel was fun! And still is.
IC
What aspect of writing mystery-crime fiction most pleases you?
Virginia
I think, probably, the setting up of a puzzle that all comes together at the end. Figuring out ways to surprise the reader--I hope.
IC
Describe your typical day.
Virginia
I rise, make tea or cappuccino, and eat breakfast. I work a little on whatever I'm writing at the moment, sometimes I write letters to my friends and family in California. Then I walk about 1/2 mile to the post office to see if I have any mail and to send off any letters that I may have. On the way home, I stop and buy whatever I may need at the market. I feed my dogs (I have two) and canaries (I have twenty-five). I eat lunch then crochet a little on a baby blanket I'm making for my sister's grandchild. The rest of the day is spent at the computer.

Except for Tuesday and Friday evenings. Those are my choir rehearsal nights. I direct the Schola Cantorum (choir) for the church here in my town, Balestrate. I am a soprano. When I lived in CA, I worked for several different opera companies as a semi-professional. Now I sing in concerts here and other towns, and for weddings. I have appeared on Italian TV several times. I go to Mass on Sundays and on other special holy days when the choir sings.

That's it. That's my life. Not much excitement. But that's why I came here from working two jobs in California. I needed some R&R. I've been here almost thirteen years now (with regular yearly visits to CA), and it's time to go home. My goal is to go back to CA in September or October. "California here I come." I hope.

IC
Okay, what are you going to do with your 25 canaries and two dogs when you finally pack up to return to California?
Virginia
The dogs will come with me. The birds will find other homes.
IC
Tell us about driving in Sicily.
Virginia
Interesting that you should ask. I was just out today with some friends. We went to Scopello, a very quaint town that's jammed packed with tourists in the summer.

Well, about the driving. I really like driving around here. Everything seems so interesting: the Mediterranean is a striking blue color that changes to blue/green closer to shore. Makes for a beautiful view. Along the coast there are lots and lots of small, ancient towers. I was told that they were put there to give warning whenever the Saracens or Cartaginians or somebody, were sighted. They would raid the Sicilian coast and steal the women to sell as slaves in Africa. Or so I was told.

Every once in awhile, you can see old German bunkers from the Second World War. It's kind of eerie. They keep them here, I think, as reminders.

There is very little traffic, except in the towns. Palermo is a nightmare to drive in. There are lines painted on the street to show where the lanes are, but no one pays the slightest attention to them. It's "first-come-first-served." Italians love to crowd. Wherever there should be a line, or queue, the Italians convert it to a group. There is nothing you can do in private. There's always someone looking over your shoulder or parked right next to you, watching every movement. Even in the banks. It was a bit unnerving the first time I experienced it, but I guess I've been Italianized because now I do the same thing. When in Rome, do as the Romans. Literally.

There isn't much traffic on the autostrada (freeway), but most of the cars go fast. I'm talking 100 mph. It's pretty scary to be toodling along at 60 in the right lane and have someone pass you going 100. And they pass very close. Scary. By and large the streets are well maintained, though not very wide. I don't know about northern Italy, but here in Sicily the streets are usually two lanes--or less. The autostrada is two lanes for each direction, normally separated by a barrier.

IC
Besides wishing for more participation (and who knows, maybe this interview will spur more to participate) what else might you like to see happen with the Workshop?
Virginia
I don't think the Workshop really needs anything other than more participation. Maybe it would be really nice if a well-known author could "drop" in and give pointers or maybe even critique something. That would be good. Yeah. If any well-known authors read this, drop on in to the Workshop.
IC
How do you remain so disciplined in writing every day as you do?
Virginia
I think it's the thrill of discovery. When I read back over my writing, I'm always surprised. It's like my subconscious does the writing and I'm just along to punch the keys. I still can hardly wait to see what I'll write next. I love finding out what I can do.
IC
Besides being back in CA and a bookshelf full of your published work, what else might you wish for?
Virginia
A long and healthy life. Good friends. Happy family. Big house. Maid. Butler. Money. Etc. Etc
IC
Remembering back to grades six through eight, what was the most annoying thing done to you?
Virginia
My God! That's ancient history! I can't really think of anything, unless it was not being admitted to the cheerleaders. Just joking. I never tried to be a cheerleader. Oh, maybe when my singing teacher told me I that I couldn't sing (I'm an operatic soprano). I can't really think of anything else.
IC
Wrapping up, what would you like our visitors to take away with them from this interview?
Virginia
Hope. Keep trying. Never give up. I mean, I've never published a novel in my life, but that doesn't mean that I won't. So, if an unpublished person like me can be interviewed by Sisters In Crime, then there's hope for everyone. Besides, one of these days, when I'm famous, this interview will be valuable.

It is already.

This interview was conducted during the month of March 2000 for SinC-IC by Louise Guardino.



lomonacov@sinc-ic.org spot@sinc-ic.org



Read an earlier Spotlight Profile

Questions about the chapter? Write to SinC-IC@sinc-ic.org .
Questions about the web site? Write to WebSister@sinc-ic.org .

Unless otherwise specified, all content is copyright © 2000 Sisters in Crime, Internet Chapter.