Lara Della Gaspera

What was your favorite book as a child?

My favorite book as a child was The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear. As I was 11, I remember feeling quite intimidated by it because of its length, but as soon as I started reading, I was completely captivated. The story is incredibly original, packed with imaginative details. For example, the blue-furred bear — hence the name — finds himself on an island where everything is edible, only to discover that the island is actually a giant monster that fattens up its guests before eating them. At another point, he gets swallowed by a tornado and ends up living inside it. The book is an absolute delight — beautifully written, wildly inventive, and so much fun to read. I’d recommend it to grown-ups too; I still keep a copy in my main library!

Do you remember the original reason or motivation why you started writing creatively?

I've always loved observing people and situations — there’s so much variety in life and a certain poetry in the mundane. I’m drawn to contrasts, and I believe both people and life are full of them. Because of this, I developed a habit of noticing small moments in daily life and wanting to capture them. Often, I feel like I’m writing a story in my mind as I witness everyday situations. It even makes difficult moments more bearable — after all, any bad experience can be transformed into a story. Maybe, in a way, it’s also a way to cope with pain.

What was the most adventurous or thrilling thing you ever did/experienced?

When I was 22, I went on a 500 km backpacking trip on foot with a friend. Looking back, it was quite an adventure, especially since, back then, we weren’t as constantly connected to the internet as we are today — we were mostly offline. Along the way, we often slept on mattresses on the floor, surrounded by other backpackers. It was a beautiful experience, filled with great encounters and plenty of time for reflection. Walking 30 km a day forces you to find entertainment within yourself, and after a while, your mind starts wandering just as much as your feet.

Do you listen to music while reading or writing?

I love music, but when I write, it becomes too distracting — I can’t help but sing along or focus on the lyrics. When I’m writing, I need as few external distractions as possible, ideally none at all.