Recently, I realised it’s been 15 years since I began my Facebook page (and I mentioned this there), but it’s since also occurred to me that I began this website at that time too – just after my first book was published (on an April 1st!!)
I was an absolute beginner regarding websites and social media. Too shy to advertise, I thought, well, if someone happens to find their way here and might like to stay, then that’s great! It was such a thrill to see when people began to come here and to also leave messages.
Some of you have joined me from the beginning and I’m truly grateful for your loyalty and sharing this space with me. Some of you have come across this space more recently – it’s wonderful to have you here. Thank you to all of you who stay and sign up to receive these emails, or also seek me out on my Facebook or Instagram pages.
It’s a joy to hear your thoughts, shared memories and stories, either through the comments or by private messages. Some of which bring a lovely laugh, others that are so very touching. I totally understand too those quietly watching on. In my own life, I’m a pretty private person and it’s fairly quiet much of the time with my days (and some nights) mostly at my desk writing.
Otherwise, I’m cooking, swimming, or in the garden, or gathering stories, research and interviews for the next book, which can take me to different places. It’s often a slow process as I do it all on my own, but there’s always another book in the works and I truly appreciate your patience while I’m working on it.
I usually write here if perhaps something occurs, or I delve into the box of old photos. (If there’s ever something you’d like to read about let me know. I’ll see what I can do!) In the years since I began this website and social media my life has changed in many ways, as likely my posts have too, but they’ll always be from me in all their swerves and ramblings – never ‘generated’ from elsewhere.
Thank you again for being a part of this small community and your interest in the books. For your loyalty, curiosity and shared experiences. My one hope when I started this website and my social media pages was for these to be places of kindness, shared respect, stories and sincerity and I can say that in 15 years this has been the case between us all and that is truly such a wonderful thing! Grazie, baci e abbracci, Zoe x
P.S. So love that photo of Nanna Francesca and Nonno Anni throwing coins in the Trevi Fountain fifty years ago!! xxx
It is fifteen years since the 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck Abruzzo at 3.32am on 6 April 2009, taking the lives of 309 people and leaving 70,000 homeless in around fifty-six towns. My heart is with those who lost so much… the victims, their loved ones, all those who were displaced, the many still working hard to recover and rebuild in the long years following.
