Playwright

Jul 09: Adriana Trigiani with The View From Lake Como

July 9, 2025

One woman’s quest to build her own life … before it’s too late.

The View From Lake Como with author Adriana Trigiani

When Jess Capodimonte Baratta realizes she’s not living even close to the life she dreamed of, she takes us from Lake Como, New Jersey, to Lake Como, Italy, in search of new possibilities.

Adriana Trigiani discusses her latest novel The View From Lake Como.

Known for her American-Italian storytelling, humor, and rich character development, Adriana shares how her protagonist was inspired by her late grandmother. We discuss her biggest challenge in writing the story. And some of the research Adriana did, including marble-making in Italy.

Meet Adriana Trigiani

Adriana Trigiani is the New York Times bestselling author of 21 books of fiction and nonfiction, including The Good Left Undone, The Shoemaker’s Wife and Lucia, Lucia. Her work has been published in 38 languages around the world. An award-winning playwright, television writer/producer, and filmmaker, Trigiani wrote and directed the major motion picture of her debut novel, Big Stone Gap; adapted her novel, Very Valentine, for television; and directed the award-winning documentary, Queens of the Big Time, among others.

Fiction, Writers on Writing

Oct 23: Lost in Thought with Deborah Serra

October 23, 2024

A Novel About the Illusion of Free Will & Unconscious Decision-making.

Lost in Thought with author Deborah Serra

Deborah Serra shares her journey from successful screenwriter and playwright, to novelist.

We discuss why, at the start of her 20-year career, Deborah Serra wrote as D.A. Serra. How she felt restricted writing for the big screen, TV, and even as a playwright – and why she transitioned into books.

Deborah shares the challenges of switching genres; her fears and anxieties around releasing her creative work into the world – even as a well established writer.

We also discuss Lost in Thought, from story concept and character development, to the research she delved into around neuroscience. And we learn why Deborah enjoys traveling alone … and recommends others try it too!

Meet Deborah Serra: Award Winning Screenwriter, Playwright, Novelist

Deborah Serra is a double Hawthorn den Literary Fellow who’s worked in all genres and mediums for more than 20 years. Her career includes: Screenwriting – as a produced original screenwriter and also as an assignment writer on TV movies, TV series, and NBC staff writer. She’s written three books – two fiction, one nonfiction – and three award winning plays. She’s worked with Showtime, CBS, Sony, Fox, and Lifetime. Her essays and short stories have appeared in several literary magazines, and she was nominated for the O. Henry Award. Deborah Serra is currently an editor at After Dinner Conversation- Philosophy/Ethics Short Story Magazine.