“Writing was my escape. But at some point it became something I needed to share.”

R.J. Sinclaire

In this episode of 15 with Fosca, I sit down with author and fellow American expat in Italy, RJ Sinclaire, for a conversation that moves between place, instinct, and the long road to writing a first novel.

What began with a chance meeting in Florence unfolded into a deeper exploration of what it means to follow an inner voice, across countries, careers, and creative lives. RJ shares the story of her move to Italy, a decision rooted in something she first imagined as a child, and reflects on the reality of building a life abroad as a single mother.

At the heart of our conversation is writing, not as a profession, but as a lifelong instinct.

RJ speaks candidly about her creative process, the unexpected turn toward crime fiction, and the moment of anger in Rome that sparked her current novel. Together, we explore the vulnerability of the drafting process, the humility of revision, and the challenge of putting you work into the world.

This episode is also a quiet but powerful reflection on voice, especially for women, and the importance of listening to what insists on being heard.

It’s a conversation about writing, but also one about instinct, courage, and beginning (again).

Bio and Links

R.J. Sinclaire is an American writer who now resides in Milan, Italy with her Italian husband. Writing has been a lifelong passion, a creative outlet and that safe place for her to return to throughout her life. After becoming an empty nester she finally found the courage to bet on herself and make the decision to write fulltime. She is currently completing her debut novel, a crime and psychological thriller.

https://www.instagram.com/rjsinclaire?igsh=Y29sMmdjZHB6Y2Fw&utm_source=qr

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Podcast Producer: Andrew Niklas Curtis

Production Intern: Nicole Stevens

Recording and post-production Lorenzo Maiani, Faminore Sound Agency

On Writing and Instinct featuring R.J. Sinclaire