Spotlight On Writers
Phyllis P. Colucci
- Where, do you hail from?
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and I sincerely carry that New York blood in my heart and soul. I will always be a proud New Yorker and Brooklynite no matter where I live in the future. Growing up in Brooklyn was all about a connection; a connection to family, community, friends – and I have and share the utmost respect for my Italian roots and heritage. I still live in the same Italian neighborhood in which I grew up, but have now witnessed the many changes as well. Some for the better, some not. “Gentrification” has invaded our space. Many of the “old-timers” have either passed on or, unfortunately, have been chased out by developers who have torn down quaint row houses, mom and pop shops – and “our” spirit. They have replaced all of that with large apartment complexes. Yes, the value of real estate in the area has skyrocketed as a result, but the echo of a simple and wonderful life with the memory of the people that once “were”, will forever exist in the streets of “my” Brooklyn.
- What is the greatest thing about the place you call home?
The greatest thing about the place I call home is the warm feeling I get when I think about the “old” days; the special friends and people I’ve known, the wise elders I’ve adored, the lessons I’ve learned from those relationships, the values I’ve honored, and the sense of love and family that has been, and always will be, instilled in me and those closest to me. The memory of small family homes, tree-lined streets, pizza stores on every block, social clubs, Italian coffee shops, pastry shops and family-owned bread stores, with the hint of tantalizing food aromas in the air, will be etched in my mind forever. Living here was like living in a small town within a Big City. We always had the best of both worlds.
- What turns you on creatively?
What turns me on creatively has more to do with spirit and emotion than anything else. It’s all about feelings that wake up the senses and keep me in tune to my surroundings and my life. It could be as simple as the aromas of freshly brewed coffee, or as intense as the sounds of nature happening outside my backyard window, or as beautiful as the innocent breath of a sleeping child. As long as there are magical triggers out there that I can mingle with or react to on a daily basis, I will always find creativity – with that New York edge.
- What is your favorite word, and can you use it in a poetic sentence?
My favorite word is “angelic”.
My poetic sentence is:
“The ‘angelic’ voices hiding high above the clouds, will sound upon the earth once Mother Nature has something sweet to say to us.”
- What is your pet peeve?
My pet peeve is “Procrastination”. Procrastination robs us of our time – quality time that we should be spending with ourselves, with our friends, with our families, with our jobs, with the Divine. It stifles us to the point where we can no longer be productive, where we can no longer thrive, where we are unable to accomplish all that would make us successful, all that would allow us to contribute to society; and all that would make us better friends, partners, parents, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and so on. Life is too short. Do not waste it on “Procrastination”.
- What defines Phyllis P. Colucci?
What defines me? Well, I would have to say, first and foremost, being a Mom. It is the most rewarding, yet sometimes toughest job there is. Any parent will understand that, for sure. Secondly, there is my writing – one of my special loves and one of my deepest passions. My writing allows me to learn, to create, and to grow as a person. My writing also gives me one of the greatest gifts of all – the gift of sharing…Sharing my words, my characters and my stories with the world.
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