Vanessa Navicelli: this is me

I was born in the North of Italy, in a small village on the hills, not far from the river Po.
I grew up with The Little House on the Prairie, with the American movies of the 40s and the 50s (all sorts!), with Italian neorealist movies, with English 19th century novels and with Giovannino Guareschi's novels, The little world of don Camillo (which in the American movie version had Orson Welles as a voiceover narrator).
I attended a Scientific High School and then I started to study Literature and Philosophy at the University of Pavia (near Milan), where I still live today.

With my novel "The bread under the snow" I was one of 21 finalists – from among 1100 participants – of the "La Giara" 2012 Literary Prize for Unpublished Novels, a scheme created by RAI, Italian State Television. I was in fact selected as the winner for the Emilia Romagna region.
In 2008 and in 2009 I participated, with some of my poems and nursery rhymes, in a touring poem exhibition, which was organized to spread the message of peace and to raise funds for Amnesty International, Emergency and for the Saharawi population.

When I need to reflect I make soap bubbles; at night.
I recharge my batteries under the spring sun and the winter snow. Other climatic conditions have a terrible effect on me (making me sleepy, irritable and bringing out the killer instinct in me).
I deeply love Christmas time (and have lights and decorations in my house all year round).
I have a dog whose name is Spank. He does not know how to bark. But, after all, neither do I.

I write novels for adults and young adults; and short stories for children.
When I write, I try to keep four things in mind: simplicity, empathy, humour and the real desire to tell a story.
I believe in kindness. And in humour. (Maybe it's humorous to believe in kindness…).
Frank Capra once said: "In my opinion, with humour and affection we promote good instincts. They're a tonic for the whole world." I endorse it.
And I also endorse Giacomo Puccini's words when he said: "I want to get to people's heart."

I'm sure that goodness brings goodness. And I love to tell it.

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Vanessa Navicelli nasce a Vicobarone, un piccolo paese sulle colline piacentine, ma da anni vive a Pavia.
Cresce coi film neorealisti italiani, con le commedie e i musical americani, coi cartoni animati giapponesi, coi romanzi dell'...