I am a close friend of Robert Loggia. And I just love how, with actors, there's the screen persona. Here is Robert, known for his portrayal of many characters, including gangsters. But in real life, he is elegant and erudite. He sits in the garden reading the sonnets of William Shakespeare.

I have this propensity to just come out and say things. That's how I am in real life.

I am sweet and diplomatic in real life.

Who I am on stage is very, very different to who I am in real life.

While novels are fiction, mine are usually very close to my heart. Like my other books, 'The Lemon Orchard' is inspired by something I care about. I care so deeply. The stories are my dreams, and I want to do a lot of research. Roberto is based on a real live friend of mine named Armando who worked in my garden.

I'm really not that funny in real life! But I am the best audience one could find. I love to laugh.