I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti: Giulia Melucci Interview

I’m psyched to share my interview with Giulia Melucci, author of newly released, all-the-rage, humorous memoir, I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti.

Many (understatement) readers have requested (badgered me for) a review of I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti. A few, like me, were fortunate enough to receive advanced review copies, which spurred quite a bit of buzz. And, approximately 62 of you told me you want to form a book club just to discuss this magnificent memoir.

This past week, she was interviewed by The New York Times and featured on The Today Show, which only created more excitement.

For reference, here’s a quick synopsis of her book – without giving too much away – and we’ll then move on to more important matters.

Melucci’s memoir takes readers on a journey through her colorful dating past, which masterfully connects with relevant related recipes. With unabashed humor, Melucci demonstrates both her expert writing and cooking skills, exquisitely blended together.

Who can’t relate? So many of us have lived through some crazy dating dramas – probably why it’s so easy to connect to her stories and witty conversational tone. The reader feels as if she or he is actually talking to Melucci. For me, that’s the clearest sign of an incredible book.

Laura Cococcia: I’d have to say my favorite recipe in the book was “Pear Cake for Friends with Benefits,” (also since cake is my favorite food group) – and the story is perfect. I know there are probably many, but if you’d have to pick your most memorable recipe-related story, which one would it be?

Giulia Melucci: It’s the story I tell in I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti with the recipe “Bucatini Amatriciana with MP3 File Sharing Technology.” In this particular cooking episode my need to please hit its apex as I attempted to provide both dinner and the perfect soundtrack for my date. I was trying to make this simple pasta for Lachlan, a Scotsman who I met on a street corner and fell in love with instantly.

It was the first time I ever cooked for him and I wanted to make something good while simultaneously trying to download Led Zeppelin’s Physical Grafitti onto my laptop; it was the only thing he wanted to listen to (no other Led Zeppelin album, and I had just about every other one, would do). I had no success in getting the album AND the bucatini were overcooked. Lachlan blamed himself for leaving to take a shower at the crucial moment in the pasta cooking. It was the only time he would take responsibility for a limp noodle.

Laura Cococcia: What were the challenges you had – if any – in bringing your dates / boyfriends and yourself to life for readers?

Giulia Melucci: Bringing myself to life was easier, I have my schtick down after telling these stories to my friends for years. The boyfriends were more of a challenge. A couple are still good friends so I wanted to present a balanced portrait. Then there are a couple I don’t care about at all, I could just let it rip with them, and I did.

The Marcus Caldwell chapter was the most fun to write because I have no feelings for him whatsoever and his creepiness was off the charts Lachlan was the hardest because the wounds he left were still fresh when I was writing the book. But I did have the benefit of him being far out of my life (as far away as Prague, I believe) and feeling absolutely no responsibility to him at all. In every case, I wanted to show my own responsibility for the situation and I hope that comes across. I have been a willing accomplice to each of my heartbreaks.

Laura Cococcia: I’m a dedicated foodie, but definitely not a good cook. You’re clearly the expert here. Any words of wisdom for those of us looking to break into the cooking scene?

Giulia Melucci: If you love food, you can cook. You just need to be confident and trust your own instincts and be willing to take risks. I wish I could be this way with my romances; I’ve taken my share of risks, that’s for sure, but the other two components are lost to me. So I suppose I can understand how other people wouldn’t trust themselves when it comes to cooking. I wish they would, just as I wish I could call on the confidence I have in the kitchen when confronted with a man who has my heart.

Laura Cococcia: In my experience, writing takes a ton of discipline and commitment. What would be your top two suggestions for aspiring writers looking to hone their craft or simply get off the couch and start writing?

Giulia Melucci: I believe there is an athletic outfitter based in Portland, Oregon who popularized the phrase: Just do it. As in sports, so in writing. You just have to make a commitment to writing regularly. Inspiration comes from the act of writing itself. From doing, not thinking. Make a commitment to writing regularly, about whatever you feel like writing about. Don’t worry about it being perfect, don’t overthink it. (That’s where we get in trouble in every aspect of our lives.) It’s advice I need to tell myself over and over again too.

Laura Cococcia: What are you reading right now?

Giulia Melucci: I’m reading my friend Lucinda Rosenfeld’s novel I’m So Happy For You, which is coming out this summer. It’s a witty honest and courageous look at female friendship. And it’s a great deal of fun.

Laura Cococcia: Who’s your favorite singer or band of all time?

Giulia Melucci: That’s a tough one. I adore Jarvis Cocker as a singer and performer, but he has not written as many brilliant songs as Belle & Sebastian. Belle & Sebastian is probably my favorite band, but they are more of a collective, and as adorable as lead singer Stuart Murdoch is, he doesn’t have the je ne se quoi of Jarvis.

So I would say, Jarvis Cocker is my favorite singer of all time and Belle & Sebastian is my favorite band. I can listen to B&S;’s songs over and over and over again, but for a winning live show, Jarvis gives more than anyone I’ve ever seen. He’s sexy, B&S; are sweet. **

And there you have it, readers. Another Belle & Sebastian fan. Another fantastic writer. Another must-read book.

Huge thanks to Giulia taking the time to share her writing, food and dating guidance. We certainly need all three.

Tagged as: Book Reviews, Food and Drink, Interviews, Laura Cococcia, Relationships, Writing