Joanna Campbell Slan is a self-proclaimed “addict.” Her drug of choice? Writing.
“I go into withdrawals if I can’t write,” Slan, author of new mystery series, The Jane Eyre Chronicles, says.
According to Slan – who just published her first book of the series Death of a Schoolgirl – has always been a writer. Even as a child, Slan would “scribble” down words on a piece of paper and would call it her “book.” But her passion for the written word began as an outlet; an aperture for a better life.
Growing up poor in Vincennes, Ind., Slan was subjected to a tumultuous upbringing. As a child of an alcoholic parent, she recalls a time that seems to reverberate in her consciousness. One night, when she was a little girl she left a glass of water on the counter before going to bed. Her father, an unruly binge-drinker, accidentally spilled it. In the dead of the night he woke her and said, “Your mom is a slob, I’m going to divorce her and you’re going to live on the streets without anything to eat.”
During the 1980 Winter Olympics, eight-year-old Travis Thompson snuck out of his room in the wake of the night. He packed a towel under his mother’s bedroom door – so as to not allow a glimpse of light to travel into her room. He stealthily walked toward the living room, turned on the television and for the first time, Thompson witnessed the bone-crushing sport of bobsledding. Little did he know that after 32 years – including time served in the U.S. Navy and a successful career as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Jupiter, the perilous sport would once again cross his path.
Romance has arrived to South Florida and his name is Franco Corso.
The Italian-born vocalist is a modern-day necromancer’s life charming audiences with his rendition of classic Italian and American songs. His polished baritone voice has awakened a passion within many and his ability to create indelible memories during his concerts has gained him recognition. But even though Corso’s flawless execution is that of a seasoned musician, his professional singing career began just five years ago at 37 years old.
“My family said, ‘follow your dreams; you have nothing to lose…’ So I did,” Corso, 42, says. In fact, Corso had no intention of becoming a professional singer. He was instead working in the hotel industry as an assistant general manager at the Monte Carlo in Switzerland before he came to the United States 14 years ago.
While on vacation in Miami, Corso fell in love with the weather and decided to move to Florida; although, he playfully admits, the women didn’t hurt the decision to do so either. “I love South American women and there are so many here. They have the same passion as the Italian — passion and love,” he says.
Indeed the Jupiter resident is all about passion. Professionally he’s been dubbed the voice of romance, but even in his personal life he believes it to be a necessity. “I’m a romantic guy; it’s important… Romance to me, is to project passion and love through the songs,” Corso confesses.
Having always possessed a talent for singing, Corso began a two-year regiment of vocal training and stage presence. And with the help of his family and friend’s connections he was introduced to the music industry and eventually started his own business: Franco Productions.
During Corso’s concerts, there is an aerial tour of Italy projected on a big screen allowing the audience to be momentarily whisked away. “While I sing, I bring them [the audience] to Italy with songs and visual,” Corso says.
Corso’s concerts are a musical journey through his mother land; a constant reminder of how much Corso loved growing up in San Remo, Italy.
“Every day I was surrounded by art, history, culture that is somehow missed in the United States,” Corso says with a hint of nostalgia. He recounts the days he played soccer in the streets, sang in the church choir and how on a daily basis his loving grandmother would make him breakfast, lunch and dinner. “When I came to America I starved to death,” he jokes.
Up until now, Corso has been singing cover songs by certain artists like Andrea Bocelli, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. But with two new original songs he’s written and scheduled to record that may just launch his career even further. “It’s time to move forward in order to get more exposure on an international level.” Corso says. And considering what he has accomplished in the short amount of time, there’s no doubt that he will.
Sandra Benavides Weichel 