Pamela Smith

What was your favorite book as a child?

Alice in Wonderland was surely the book I read the most during my childhood, and every time I turned its pages, I felt like I was in a completely new and fascinating world. The more I read, the more I felt like Alice herself, tumbling down the rabbit hole and finding herself in a universe full of wonders, oddities, and the unexpected. I remember getting lost in the Mad Hatter’s nonsense conversations, in the wordplay and riddles that seemed meaningless, yet somehow sparked my imagination. Looking back, I realise that this was my first real step into the creative world. I learned to see beyond the ordinary, to explore strange and original ideas, and to let my curiosity guide me. Even today, I carry with me that sense of wonder that Alice taught me.

What was the original reason or motivation why you started writing creatively?

At a certain point in my life, I struggled to feel comfortable in Italy, where some personal and cultural aspects no longer resonated with me. It was as if I no longer belonged there.

This feeling ultimately led me to move to Canada, in search of new experiences and a sense of freedom I had never known before. Although my time there was relatively short, the memories remain vivid. I remember the smell of the streets, the colours, how such different cultures were able to interact and coexist so well, and many other details. That stage of my life was transformative, it allowed me to explore my identity outside of my comfort zone and truly get to know my true self. I discovered that everything is not static and can change in an instant. This awareness has pushed me to live my life in a different way. To this day, I am still on that journey.

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

The first book I wrote was my memoir. I started writing to make sense of the experiences I have lived through the past years, I wanted to understand if they had any meaning. I did not think it would be so difficult to write about myself, at certain points in my life, I had to stop, pause, and then start writing again. I cried a lot, but in the end, I healed. The answer came through my book. Accidentally, I discovered the world of flash fiction and deepened my knowledge by taking courses to improve my skills. Through flash fiction, I continued my inner language, but now I have learned to communicate with people through it. My pieces are short, but powerful. My purpose is to help others by sharing what I observe, what I read in people, and what I feel, as I am extremely empathetic. I want to contribute, I want to help all those people out there who seem perfect and happy but are actually not. If I was able to change and make my life wonderful, anyone can do it.

Do you listen to music while reading or writing?

I listen to podcasts while I write, as I personally believe they are a form of support rather than a distraction. The human voice keeps me company. I often choose podcasts that inspire reflection, focus on life experiences, and explore processes of change, closely aligning with my flash fiction style. The Mel Robbins Podcast, in particular, has become one of my favourites, as her insights on motivation and personal growth resonate deeply with my creative process.This approach has become a kind of ritual, not a habit, but a moment that I fully experience. Music, on the other hand, strongly influences my emotions. It has the power to bring me back to the tragic events of my life, which distract me from writing, and that is why I choose not to listen to it. I never thought that listening and writing could work together, it all happened completely by coincidence.