Interview by Danielle Largesse
Join us for a chat with Teresa Pesce, a talented local author who found her heart and home in Hope, ID. Inspired by the breathtaking scenery and the encouragement of friends, she has poured her wisdom into her book “Advice.” Discover her journey, insights, and passion for storytelling in this engaging interview.
What initially attracted you to the Northwest?
I was brought here by my husband. It’s a fun story, actually. Originally from California, he fell in love with Hope, Idaho when he was driving through and stopped to sleep overnight in his van. When he woke early to a gorgeous sunrise over the water, he instantly decided he was going to stay. We met when he took a trip back to California to visit friends. He went to their church with them where I was also attending and when he walked through those doors, I swear you could hear my jaw hit the floor! We married and he promised me I would love Idaho, and I did! I loved the pine trees and the people, Sandpoint and the seasons! Everyone in California had said I would hate snowy winters but I love our snowy winters! I still remember looking out on our deck after it snowed…it looked like a million diamonds!
Can you tell me a little bit about your book? What inspired you to write it?
I have this long-term close friend who ended up doing what the best of friends do—she told me to write a book. It came up in conversation once as she told me, “I have kept all your emails since we met and I just wanted to let you know that I reread them often because they are so funny, comforting and wise. You should write a book!” And just as I thanked her for the compliment but explained that I didn’t have any novel within me to write, BAM! The word ‘advice’ flashed across my mind and I realized I did indeed have a book to write! Not a novel, but 44 chapters of advice on a myriad of issues from a lifetime of my own experiences and observing the experiences of others.
What do you want readers to take away from your book?
I want my readers to take away the advice that will help them most in navigating through life. I want them to laugh a lot! I want this book to take them into the psychology of certain situations so they can handle them better. Lots of true stories illustrate the advice because this book is far more than my opinions; it is based on observing real life. It shows readers the potholes and detours and dead ends they can avoid. From differentiating infatuation from courtship to getting your ideas across in corporate meetings, “Advice” addresses love, loss, grief, success, family and friend issues, and much more. It’s life in 44 chapters.
Tell me about your career as a playwright/director with the Panida Theater.
Shortly after I moved up here, I joined a group of people interested in reactivating theater in Sandpoint. My experience with theater was in acting. Nothing else. Those who wanted to try their hand at writing plays got together, and our first prompt was for each of us to write a murder mystery. So I went home and fired up my computer, and for my opening line, I used the Peanuts/Charlie Brown line that Snoopy aways started with, typing plays on top of his dog house: “It was a dark and stormy night….” Seventy-three pages later I had written “Murder at the Castle over the weekend and brought it to the group on Monday. Chris Herron, a terrific Sandpoint playwright, looked stunned and said, “Tell me you didn’t write that over the weekend.” And that was how I learned I could write plays! I was as surprised as everyone else was. I have been writing plays ever since. I learned I could direct by directing! I discovered I could “see” the play on the stage and therefore was good at blocking, and I could discern the energy flows in scenes for both movement and emotion. And I learned Sandpoint actors are patient with new directors! My most recent play was Sherlock which was hosted here at the Panida theater. I also enjoy doing “Art as Theater” where I stage several one-acts, each one inspired by the work of a local artist.
What are your hobbies outside of writing?
I am in love with the BBC and British actors, and binge-watch them shamelessly. I also love participating in Sandpoint Writers by the Lake. It’s a terrific group of both aspiring and published authors who support each other in the writing and publishing process. Go to Sandpointwriters.com and check it out! They meet at the Sandpoint Library!
What is next for you? How can readers reach out to you?
What is next for me is more of the same! Writing and theater are the loves of my life not only because I enjoy the processes involved, but because both help those who create them and all those who experience their creations. I want to help writers write and actors act. It’s always a joy to introduce a new actor to the stage! Readers can reach out to me on Facebook.
Any last parting thoughts?
I really appreciate the library who invests their time and dedication to local authors and the community. The library gives local authors wings and creates readers to support the authors. We wouldn’t be here without our readers! Thank you!