On a warm September morning, under the Tuscan sun, our group of writers is sitting on benches along the Piazza Grande, writing about our experience here, in the town of Arezzo.
Buzzing happily from our cappuccinos and espressos, we pick up our pens to write for 10 minutes using the prompt “The bells of Arezzo.” Ringing throughout the day, the church bells remind us that another 15 minutes (more or less) have elapsed. At first they make us laugh — their timing slightly off, their tuning somewhat tinny. But soon they are part of our days, an aspect of local color.
Writing on the piazza is like being in the scene of a movie. In fact, “Life is Beautiful” was filmed here. But it’s the unexpected images and details we experience that bring the scene alive.
We hear a put-put-put and look up to see a grandma arriving on her Vespa. In her enormous yellow helmet, which is perched on her housedress-clad body, she looks like an insect from another planet. The owner of a nearby antiques shop pulls up a chair near our benches to chat. His son offers to show us an Etruscan stone wall in the back of their store.
Every year, curious creative types from all parts of the world meet me in Italy, to write and explore medieval hill towns, Renaissance art, peaceful landscapes and lively markets.
In Arezzo’s 15th century library, emblazoned with medieval and renaissance coats of arms, we gather for classes most mornings. Home to a trove of medieval manuscripts, the reading room has been Wi-Fied without affecting its charm. For other sessions we write in parks or piazzas, cafes or churches. In this medieval-Renaissance town, our writing is inspired by the masterwork frescoes of Piero della Francesca, the mansion of Giorgio Vasari, and a stunning crucifix by Cimabue. Afternoons, we venture to nearby hill towns, where sensory details prompt our writing — the magnificent cathedral in Orvieto, the farmer’s market in Cortona.
Travel gives me perspective, snaps me out of my ordinary life, and sharpens my senses. Writing helps me notice the details.
How would you describe the shape of fusilli? The texture of pasta al dente? The jewel tones of the frescoes in the Church of San Francisco? The sound of men’s voices as they gather on the piazza each evening to catch up on their day? Sights, sounds, tastes, textures and smells enrich our writing. We may write, describing what we observe or let prompts trigger memories and stories. While I often travel alone on assignment, on these writing retreats, I enjoy the camaraderie of other writers, the shared interests, purpose and laughter.
Wherever I am, writing grounds me. How delightful to be grounded in Italy!
Writing prompt:
Listen to the sounds where you are. Do you hear birdcalls? A car gunning its motor? Children laughing? Whatever you hear, describe it or let it take you to a memory or story. What were the sounds of your childhood?
Copyright © 2012 by Laura Deutsch