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Dangers of Writing in Italy

February 23, 2019 by Steve Gannon 26 Comments

Euscorpius alpha Caporiacco in Attack Mode

Writing can be deadly. Especially in Italy . . .

At one time or another, many of us have probably dreamed of holing up in a cabin somewhere to finish a particularly troublesome project. For a writer like me, that would be the essay that’s taking forever, the manuscript that got sidetracked, or a novel that keeps getting postponed by life’s day-to-day interruptions.

Even better than a cabin in the woods, how about an isolated, 800-year-old casa in Italy? No distractions there, right?

That’s what I thought before I learned about the scorpions.

Something they don’t tell you in the travel brochures: There are LOTS of scorpions in Italy! Fortunately they aren’t the kind that kill you. Of the approximately 1400 species of scorpion worldwide, only twenty-five are deadly, and Euscorpius alpha Caporiacco – the black, nocturnal species prevalent in Italy and southern Switzerland – isn’t among them. The sting of the Italian version has been likened to that of a wasp, fatal only to someone who happens to be allergic.

Nevertheless, it can be more than a little unnerving to pick up a houseplant or look under a cabinet and find one of them staring back at you. They are definitely . . . creepy. The good news is that travelers visiting Italy can avoid being stung by simply hanging up clothes (don’t leave anything on the floor), shaking out shoes, and never walking barefoot at night.

 

IMG_0153_2

Pranzo on the Terrace

Unfortunately for me, scorpions aren’t the only distractions in bella Italia. For one, there is traffic noise at all hours, especially first thing in the morning. Nothing a chicken dinner wouldn’t fix, though.

Speaking of food, the produce here is great! Fresh vegetables, fruits, cheeses, pastas, pizzas, meats . . . did I mention chicken? I’ve been doing a lot of cooking over here. Hmmm.  Maybe I can work something about that into my writing?

Sardinia

And then there’s the coast. Tourist season is coming up soon, so my wife Susan and I decided it would be much smarter, not to mention cost effective, to travel to the beach now rather than later. Here’s a picture of us on the sand of Sardinia.

We also visited the island of Elba, where I did some firsthand research on Napoleon that might come in handy . . .

Elba selfie

Anyway, am I getting any writing done here in Italy? You bet. In fact, I’m just about to get back to work on my L.A. Sniper manuscript – the fourth in my “Kane Novel” series—right after I swat a couple scorpions, BBQ some chicken, and kick back for a while on the terrace.

What’s your worst insect encounter? Do bugs creep you out? What distracts you from your work? Please leave a comment and join the conversation!

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Filed Under: Writing

Comments

  1. Erik Skromme says

    March 19, 2019 at 8:34 pm

    Well, working on a home, taking a 1758 residence apart to be moved in pieces from the east coast to Illinois by rail. We had to remove the horsehair plaster and hand split lathe , in an upper bedroom we found bees approximately 4′ wide by 11′ long nest of angry returning home bees to use removing the cover of that honey hiding spot

    Reply
    • Steve Gannon says

      March 21, 2019 at 5:22 pm

      Hi, Erik,
      Thanks for commenting. Yeah, I’ve had lots of problems with bees, mostly yellow jackets, doing construction work myself, but nothing like that. Wow!
      Steve

      Reply
  2. Wanda Rasmussen says

    March 19, 2019 at 9:10 pm

    I smile when I read about scorpions, having lived in Arizona. I was eight months pregnant and sitting beside the Salt River. I put my hands down to boost myself up and felt a tickle in the palm of my right hand. When I lifted to see what it was, there was a scorpion. Doctors have told us if stung, apply meat tenderizer on the spot to relieve the pain. Fortunately, I was never stung.

    Reply
    • Steve Gannon says

      March 21, 2019 at 5:18 pm

      Hi, Wanda,
      Scary story. Sounds like you dodged a bullet on that one. The little scorpions in Arizona, as opposed to the ones in Italy, really pack a punch.
      Steve

      Reply
    • Sally Eldridge says

      March 31, 2020 at 6:13 pm

      I haven’t encountered scorpions, but we get a lot of spiders. Luckily, an entomologist lived down the street. I thought I found a baby scorpion crawling across my floor. Fortunately, it turned out to be a pine spider. Not many bugs gross me out, but I had a laugh over this one.

      Reply
      • Steve Gannon says

        March 31, 2020 at 11:47 pm

        Hi, Wanda,
        At this time, considering what’s going on, it’s good to be able to laugh — even if it is inspired by a bug!

        Reply
  3. Craig Snazelle says

    April 9, 2019 at 6:31 pm

    After Bev and I got married, we moved from our crappy apartment in the San Rafael “canal district” we rented a house in Lagunitas in West Marin. The downstairs bedroom was sort of dank and damp, but we slept down there until we realized there were lots of scorpions down there. When we went to change the sheets on the bed one day, there was one in the bed. We started sleeping upstairs…..

    Reply
    • Steve Gannon says

      April 10, 2019 at 4:03 pm

      Hi, Craig!
      didn’t know that area had scorpions. Yeah, time to sleep upstairs for sure!
      Steve

      Reply
  4. Joseph "Joe" Kane says

    April 9, 2019 at 8:02 pm

    Steve, I’ve never visited Europe, although there are three countries on my bucket list I’d love to visit, Italy and Greece for the history and food. A recent DNA test revealed that I am 3/4 of Irish and Scotch decent,, which peaked my interest in a visit there. I spent 14 months in Vietnam on Uncle Sams invitation, so the insects in Europe wouldn’t bother me to much. I believe my wife and I will travel to Europe one of these years.

    Looking forward to the next Kane novel. I’ve been retired from law enforcement for ten years and I do miss the investigative aspect of the job. I can relive them through your novels by following Kane’s unique style of investigative thought.

    Enjoy Italy and all it has to offer (food).

    Reply
    • Steve Gannon says

      April 10, 2019 at 4:07 pm

      Hi, Joe!
      Visiting Europe now is a good time, as the exchange rate for the euro is pretty low. We hope to go back this September, if writing, kayaking, and life don’t get in the way. And yes, Italy has great food to offer, especially their fresh produce. Their tomatoes actually taste like tomatoes!
      Steve

      Reply
  5. Ralph Rowland says

    April 9, 2019 at 8:30 pm

    Steve,
    Enjoyed the note.
    My wife and I have been to Italy twice–so far.
    Rome is neat with all the historical sites…but busy. We like Venice, and especially Sienna. I’d go back tomorrow. The food and the vino!
    As for scary happenings, mine was with a jelly fish off the coast of Playa del Rey, CA. While board surfing the curl, I got caught up in kelp. I did not fight it but did not see the jelly fish that went over with me. Got a long nasty sting across my chest. Got a surfing education from that!

    Reply
    • Steve Gannon says

      April 10, 2019 at 4:13 pm

      Hi, Ralph,
      We love Rome, Venice, and Firenze, but going to the cities is usually exhausting. Our place is near Assisi, which is easy to visit and beautiful as well. As for Sienna, I think their cathedral is the most magnificent one I have ever seen – anywhere!
      Steve

      P.S. I surfed PDR back in the day, and got a few stings there myself. Gorgeous spot!

      Reply
  6. Mike hogin says

    April 9, 2019 at 9:13 pm

    I am glad you are having fun in Italy. But I am even happier you are doing another Kane story!
    If I see a bug biting Kane, I will know where it came from.

    Reply
    • Steve Gannon says

      April 10, 2019 at 4:15 pm

      Hey, Mike,
      Thanks for commenting. I guess after reading your post, I had better get back to work and find out what happens next to the Kane clan . . .
      Steve

      Reply
  7. Suzanne Gattenio says

    April 9, 2019 at 9:42 pm

    I’ve heard that if you grow Lavender or harvest some and place on all window sills, that it helps!! Otherwise enjoy yourselves, and I’ll be patiently awaiting your next book!!

    Reply
  8. Steve Gannon says

    April 10, 2019 at 4:18 pm

    Hi, Suzanne,
    We did have success by plugging up all the entry points, mostly. Scorpions are a lot like cockroaches in that they can flatten out and squeeze through the smallest cracks. I’ll give Lavender a try. At least it will smell good!
    Steve

    Reply
  9. Robert M Ullrich says

    April 11, 2019 at 1:16 am

    Steve,
    I have a black scorpion tattooed on my chest, and in my company logo AND my website for…..wait for it……Phantom Scorpio Productions. I would have gone with Black Scorpion, but it was taken. As to why? it’s more because of my birthday than an irrational obsession with black scorpions. So, I for one, find it strange in never having seen one, I’m still wearing one.

    As for writing in Italy? That’s akin to my problem of writing in the Keys. (Spent most of the week snorkeling and shooting photos, my creative hobby.

    On the plus side, you guys look great in your Alba selfie, and I look forward to your next Kane novel. Recently finished the third.
    To your continued success, (and no scorpions in your shoes),
    Robert

    Reply
    • Steve Gannon says

      April 11, 2019 at 2:23 pm

      Hi, Robert,
      Thanks for commenting! My wife and I got a good laugh out of you scorpion connection(s). Great to hear from another writer. I checked out your website. Sweet, scorpion and all! Okay, time for me to get back to work . . .
      Steve

      Reply
  10. Anne Rees says

    April 12, 2019 at 11:26 pm

    That is one ugly critter! As a kid I lived in a logging camp on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. The horseflies were awful, but the noseeums were worse, so tiny you couldn’t see them, and they loved to bite kids’ necks. I spent every summer with a scarf around my neck!

    Reply
    • Steve Gannon says

      April 14, 2019 at 5:28 pm

      Hi, Anne,
      Thanks for reaching out. Yeah, I’ve experienced nostrums – they’re WAY worse than normal mosquitoes! Plus their bites seem to last for weeks! Unfortunately, we have them in Italy where we are as well.

      Reply
  11. Jane says

    August 20, 2019 at 2:24 pm

    Well, distraction.. live in Colorado, but got a quick call and leave same day.. now in Greece. Helping after wildfire( that turned out go be arson).
    Yes , tomatoes, taste like real tomatoes.. heavenly!!
    Home Thurs
    Texas has scorpions. Yuk!!

    Reply
    • Steve Gannon says

      August 20, 2019 at 4:15 pm

      Jane, I totally agree on both — scorpions and tomatoes.

      Reply
  12. Cecile Lowrey says

    August 22, 2019 at 7:27 pm

    One time many years ago living in a tent for the summer with three children, another story…I picked up my notebook to write something and my older son said very calmly to throw my notebook out the doorway. The look on his face made me do it. He explained about the scorpion that was very close to my hand on the back cover!

    Reply
  13. Steve Gannon says

    August 23, 2019 at 12:19 am

    Hi, Cecile,
    Thanks for commenting and sharing that story. . It’s a good thing you listen to your kids!
    Steve

    Reply
  14. Diana says

    November 15, 2019 at 11:52 pm

    Wow…that could make me rethink a trip to Italy! So maybe it’s okay I can’t the trip. However, it’s jus got to be a awesome place to visit/write.

    Reply
    • Steve Gannon says

      November 21, 2019 at 3:08 pm

      Diana,
      I didn’t mean to put you off. Forget the scorpions and visit Italy! It’s awesome, and for some reason they like us there. You won’t regret it.
      Steve

      Reply

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