Gloria Mattioni

Who am I?

I was born in Milan, Italy on January 10, 1957. I dreamed of being a pirate, an astronaut, and an explorer when I was a kid. But my mom also keeps a drawing that I apparently did when I was 9. That pictures me as a reporter, roaming around the world in my convertible car. I guess that too was my idea of adventure and freedom.

So when I grew up, I first became a reporter and then a storyteller. I became a writer and worked in the staff of several newspapers and magazines. But I still wanted to roam around the world, seeking out people who shared my same longings. In 1988, I quit my last full-time job and pursued my goal of seeking out amazing people and incredible adventures all over the world.

In 1992, I moved to Los Angeles--with my son, Daniele, then 18--where I am living still.

Why do I write?

I write because I cannot do otherwise. There is all this stuff in my mind just waiting to be shaped and molded into words. I write because I can build sceneries and new worlds through my writing. I write because when I write I can hear the words singing.

I write because I love stories. I like reading them. I like inventing them. I also like telling stories of other people who share them with me. Had I been living centuries ago and before invention of printing press, I’d have told mine and others’ stories around a fire.

I wrote rivers of ink on magazines and newspaper for more than 25 years. I also published four books in Italy before moving to United States. Reckless is my first book published in the U.S. and more will come.