Anna Casamento Arrigo

Anna Casamento Arrigo was born in Sorrentini, Sicily and came to America with her family and settled in New Jersey.

After suffering a stroke, I turned to writing as a means of expressing my innermost thoughts through visionary prose. Inspired by music, poetry, and the classics of literature, Casamento Arrigo truly encompasses the breadth and scope of the written word.

While I have penned quite a few children’s books, I have always written poetry. There’s not much that doesn’t inspire me. Honestly, however, this love was effected by my seventh grade teacher, Mrs. Stern, whose oration of ‘Gunga Din moved me to tears. Perhaps, it is because her passion filled me so-as she began to cry mid-way through the poem. I began a journey into the world of poetry-from Shakespeare to Poe to the Contemporaries and those poets of the Harlem Renaissance. I love them all!

‘Feathers and Stones’ was my second collection of poems. Poems that I had been writing since my early high school years. I thought about my life, and life generally speaking-love found/lost, betrayal, death, abuse, and injustice...

For me, the most disturbing piece to write was my Romantic Suspense. In my early thoughts about creating this particular piece, I wanted a more romantic-will they remain in love at the end sort of piece. What happened, however, I can only guess is that the characters took over/kidnapped my computer and gremlins infiltrated my brain thus creating more of a psychological thriller with a romantic suspensal nuance. It IS a tough read and, most definitely, not for the faint of heart. It is loosely, VERY loosely based upon some of people I left behind in Sicily.

After my first grandchild, Hunter, was born, and prior to my stroke, I focused more on keeping him engaged. Thus, began my journey into children’s books. ‘Hunter Learns About Honesty,’ was my first children’s book and Hunter was my muse.

‘Colin and the Legend of the Weeping Willow, is VERY near and VERY dear to my heart. My grandson, Colin, who is a brilliant, highly functioning young man who happens to be autistic and has OCD, ADHD, Ana ADD, asked for me to write a book FORhim! Unfortunately, I do not have the pleasure of meeting Gabriel Parame, the magnificent illustrator for Colin, but, working with him, through constant correspondence, certainly cemented my trust and confidence in his ability to capture my vision for this beautiful book!

It only takes a tiny spark to light a fire. For anyone who wishes to pen ‘anything,’ I believe you must be willing to expect pitfalls, blocks, and, the occasional meltdown. Just write. You may start with a thought an undeveloped idea, no consequence, just start...

I remember crying after I wrote my memoir, ‘Weeds Beneath The Open Meadows.’ They we’re happy tears, tears filled with sorrow, the what if...moreover, they were cathartic! I did, in all honesty, meet with some resistance in regard to actually putting it out there. But, I believe the adage ‘ Those who matter don’t mind. And those who mind don’t matter.’

I realize there are some, operative word-some, who believe that writers are socially inept. I can only speak for myself in that regard. I live and breathe new ideas, plots, setting, and characters in my mind constantly. I don’t consider myself inept-I’m preoccupied and, truth be told, dislike small talk. If those make me inept,then so it is...I’ve been called worse. I’m thinking of, though, creating three placards-Red,Yellow-Green so others may know when or if I’m approachable that minute!

I retired from teaching. I retire to bed. I write in my sleep. So, in answer to the question’Do writers retire?’ Asked and answered.

I am very pleased with Allauthor and the support and constant sharing of my work. They understand the importance, but, most importantly, value their clients’ input on all levels!