Sea Cliff author fulfills her dreams to write and publish

Erica “Ricki” DiSalvo, a long-time resident of Sea Cliff, recently set out to prove that its never too late to fulfill your dreams. The former realtor recently embarked on a new chapter of her life and has written and self-published numerous books, ranging from children’s books to novellas.

DiSalvo’s journey into the world of literature traces back to the early 1970s, while she spent five years working in a nursery school. During that time she wrote four children’s books, each with various topics and themes. After her son and daughter were born in the latter half of the decade, DiSalvo realized she needed to take a break from writing to focus on her family and career.

“I had two kids that I had to take care of and a job that was very demanding,” DiSalvo reminisced. “So I had to put my writing on hold for a while.”

For the next three decades, DiSalvo focused on her professional and personal lives, moving to Sea Cliff in the early 1980s, although she continued to write down story ideas and rough drafts in a black and white notepad she kept with her. However, the desire to write resurfaced when she found herself with more time on her hands after retiring from real estate. She added that for her, writing is not about making money, but pursuing a passion for storytelling that started when she was a little girl.

“Starting when I was about five years old when my mother would come to tuck me in, I’d ask her if I could tell myself a story before bed,” shares DiSalvo. “I’d go to sleep thinking of story ideas. It was like someone was whispering in my ear.

Undeterred by previous setbacks in traditional publishing, DiSalvo decided to take matters into her own hands and explore the world of self-publishing. Drawing inspiration from her surroundings and personal experiences, she began crafting a diverse range of literary works, including children’s books, short stories, novellas, and novels.

Her first foray into self-publishing resulted in the release of a collection of novellas, showcasing her penchant for weaving intricate tales with unexpected twists. Despite initial challenges in gaining traction for her books, DiSalvo remained undaunted, and emphasized that the goal wasn’t to sell many books necessarily, but to pursue her lifelong hobby and joy for writing.

“I believe in the power of perseverance,” asserts DiSalvo. “You have to keep pushing forward, even when faced with setbacks. Every dream is worth pursuing, and I’m determined to see mine through.”

Her latest works delve into themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the intricacies of human relationships, offering young readers an accessible glimpse into the depths of human experience. She added that when writing children’s stories like “Jumbogoop & Barelyboo,” one of her first forays into the field, she prefers to use traditional storytelling styles such as rhyming.

As she continues to hone her craft and explore new avenues of creativity, DiSalvo said she remains steadfast in her commitment to inspiring others to pursue their dreams fearlessly. She also draws from experiences in her own life when writing, such as using her memories of having an imaginary friend to write a book called “Mickey B. and Me” about a young child’s adventures with their imaginary friend.

Ultimately, DiSalvo added that while she enjoyed her work and time as a realtor, it wasn’t until after her retirement that she truly got the chance to do what she really loved. She said that, while she started her journey as a writer later than she wanted, getting to pick it up again and run with it has been one of the best experiences of her life.

“I want to share my journey with others and encourage them to embrace their passions wholeheartedly,” expressed DiSalvo. “Life is too short to live with regrets. If you have a dream, go after it with everything you’ve got.”