Frank Sarlo and ‘Dolce Far Niete’ (The Sweetness of Doing Nothing) …

I have sometimes wondered how much the general public truly understands about the transformative creative processes that take bare ideas to publication. No superiority over non-writers is claimed in this assertion – people who choose to pursue their creative ambition also assume its joys and sorrows. I know many avid readers who will profess their strong admiration for an author’s work in this simple, heartfelt way: ‘What a great story!’ And maybe that is all that matters…

A writer’s relentless commitment to their craft usually remains hidden from even the most devoted readers. This common bond is shared by every  writer, irrespective of their literary genre – good writing reinforces the adage, ’99 percent perspiration, 1 percent inspiration.’ The most gifted wordsmiths often struggle to find just the right phrase. They will devote hours to tracking down an elusive research point. Like any craft, writing is hard work, where the creator’s pride usually flows from a job well done, not book sales (although these are always welcome).

Frank Sarlo’s fine books exemplify how hard work and personal resolve can lead to grand literary outcomes. Frank’s first career (40 years spent as an accomplished, respected commercial lawyer), and his devotion to numerous Sault Ste Marie community causes have provided Frank with a unique foundation for successful storytelling – ‘A Special Place’, ‘The West End’, ‘The Thinking Chair’, and his two edition ‘Hound Town’ tribute to Sault Greyhounds hockey history are representative examples. Frank says his writing style is not exciting, but his words invariably convey authority – the weight and wisdom of someone who both knows their subject intimately, and who is perpetually delighted to share their knowledge with willing readers. 

I have noted in other forums that Frank’s later in life writing career and published outputs make him the most prolific ‘over 80 year old’ author in Canada (his Sarlo Books imprint now includes seven works). His new book,  ‘Dolce Far Niete’ confirms that Frank is not finished yet. The work Frank undertook to craft this story is commendable in itself, aligned neatly with the common hard work bond all writers share. But Frank’s crowning ‘Dolce’ achievement is his success with a new genre. ‘Dolce’ is Frank’s first fiction offering, one with a great narrative flow, and a powerful message for everyone who has ever felt the world was becoming too much for them.

Are there just the merest hints of autobiography, or personal introspection in Frank’s narrative – perhaps a question for the author. But one thing is certain – ‘What a great story’ applies to ‘Dolce’ in the same way as it describes Frank’s earlier works. Exciting stuff for Frank and his many admirers …