Featured Writer: Rosanna Micelotta Battigelli
On creating space to write and writing advice.
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About the authorā¦
Rosanna Micelotta Battigelli was born in Calabria and immigrated to Canada with her family when she was three. She is a professional member of the Association of Italian-Canadian Writers (AICW), the Writersā Union of Canada (TWUC), and the Canadian Authors Association (CAA-Toronto Branch), to name a few. Her novel La Brigantessa was awarded a 2019 Gold IPPY for Historical Fiction and was a finalist for two Canadian Literary Awards. Pigeon Soup & Other Stories was honoured as a Finalist in the Fiction: Short Story category of the 2021 American BookFest Best Book Awards and 2022 International Book Awards. Along with writing historical fiction, short fiction, and creative non-fiction, Rosanna has six romance novels published with Harlequin and two childrenās books with Pajama Press. Her latest release is Product of Italy, Made in Canada: An Immigrantās Love Letter to Food, Family, and Resilience (Oct. 18/25, Latitude 46 Publishing). www.rosannabattigelli.com
On a writing routine ā¦
When I have a project Iām working on, I write whenever I can: after breakfast, in the morning, after lunch, in the afternoon, after supper, and into late evening (and sometimes after midnight, lol). Any time to write is my best time, but I often seem to get a surge of writing energy late in the day (after 9 p.m.), even if Iāve written at other times during that same day!
On writing spaces ā¦
I have a beautiful writing desk, a Chippendale reproduction, that I bought many years ago, to feel like I was a real writer, lol. But Iāve written and edited on my laptop in a variety of spaces: the kitchen table, the couch, my computer table, my bedroom, outside on the deck, at a library, on a bus, in the car, on a plane, and even once by hand at a lounge area at a casino (since Iām not interested in gambling, lol). When Iām home, Iām surrounded by my treasured books, including my collection of classic literature and favourite authors, and if I listen to music while Iām writing, itās mostly quiet meditation music.
On writing communities ā¦
Iāve been a member of the Sudbury Writersā Guild since it started in 1992 (and later its President for two years), a professional member of The Writersā Union of Canada (TWUC), the Canadian Authors Association (CAA Toronto Branch), the Association of Italian-Canadian Writers (AICW), the Italian American Writers Association (IAWA), the Canadian Society of Childrenās Authors, Illustrators, & Performers (CANSCAIP), and the Toronto Romance Writers (TRW). Being a part of all these groups has helped me in many ways over the years: submitting to contests, participating in editing and critique sessions, learning and presenting at conferences, being accepted in mentoring opportunities, and making many supportive friends and colleagues in a number of writing communities. All have been invaluable in my journey as a writer.
The best piece of writing advice was something my husband often told me: āIf you donāt believe in yourself, who will?ā So I have nurtured myself as a writer in every way possible over the years in order to believe in my dream of writing and in myself as a writer.
On challenges ā¦
Iāve made space for writing for over 35 years. I loved teaching during the day, and I devoted evenings to invest in my growth as a writer. I also went half-time as a teacher for several years so I could have the time and space to research my historical novel La Brigantessa, while also writing short pieces to submit to contests and anthologies to build up my publication history. The challenges I faced were similar to challenges faced by most writers: trying to balance writing goals while working, raising a family, helping elderly parents. Trying to accumulate publishing credits, trying to get grants, waiting, waiting, waiting for replies from potential publishers, getting submissions rejected . . . But ultimately, I did what I could to stay focused, stay positive, and to believe in myself and my writing.
On the best writing advice ā¦
The best piece of writing advice was something my husband often told me: āIf you donāt believe in yourself, who will?ā So I have nurtured myself as a writer in every way possible over the years in order to believe in my dream of writing and in myself as a writer. Another best piece of advice from various successful authors: Take time to learn the craft.
On the worst writing advice ā¦
Someone implied years ago that I couldn't possibly write an authentic historical novel about Italy since I hadn't lived, studied, and experienced life there (my family immigrated to Canada from Calabria when I was three). I had already started writing it and I felt a bit deflated at first, but then my resolve got stronger to continue my research (it took years) and pour my heart and soul into this work, since I felt strong ties to my heritage and was greatly moved by the plight of the Calabrians in southern Italy during the turbulent post-unification era (1860s). I started research in 1998 and for years afterwards, and the book was published in 2018 by Inanna Publications. It won an international Gold IPPY Award in 2019 and was a Finalist in two Canadian literary awards. It was awarded an Honourable Mention in the 2024 Hollywood Book Festival, recognizing books that deserved greater recognition from the book and film industry. So, fellow readers, don't let someone's doubts and negativity about your writing stop you from pursuing your goals!
On advice from personal experiences ā¦
Read a lot, write a lot, allow yourself to write crap (a tip from two-time Giller Prize nominee Gail Anderson-Dargatz, whose week-long Writersā Camp I participated in in July, 2015. Also, read a lot about the art and craft of writing, believe in yourself, donāt give up, especially after you get a rejection of your story or work. Set goals, get into a writing group, go to writing conferences, work with a mentor at some point, be persistent. This is the epigraph that I have at the beginning of my historical novel La Brigantessa:: āThe journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.ā (Lao Tzu) Take one step and then another and then another. Sometimes you might feel that youāre going backwards, but youāll get back on track. Keep writing and your goals will be reached!
On rekindling creativity ā¦
I rekindle my creativity by taking a break to do something else that I enjoy: being out in nature (where thereās water and trees, like at my friendsā camp on the French River, or in the Parry Sound/Georgian Bay area or Manitoulin Island), going to a theatre production (Iām always inspired by the talents of the performers and by the writing), going to a bookstore, taking in a musical performance, watching a movie or series that has great writing, going to a book launch, going to a writing conference or festival, supporting or mentoring a young writer, reading a fabulous book, going to a meeting of one of my writing associations and groups, listening to a podcast, and yes, reading books by writers about the art and craft of writing and creativity. Oh and cooking and playing with my almost eight-year-old granddaughter Rosalie: she pretends sheās a visiting author and reads a book she chooses from her collection, and I ask the audience (family members) to ask questions after the reading, which she enjoys answering, lol.
On a recent publication ā¦
Product of Italy, Made in Canada: An Immigrant's Love Letter to Food, Family, and Resilience (October 18, 2025 release, Latitude 46 Publishing). I'm working on getting my sequel to my historical novel La Brigantessa out to agents and publishers.
Rosanna Micelotta Battigelliās online spaces ā¦
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Happy writing!
