Elise Valmorbida photo

Elise Valmorbida

I grew up Italian in Australia, but a scholarship took me to England. I was smitten by London, and still am. In between the day-jobs, I've been writing fiction and non-fiction for 20+ years. I've been teaching creative writing for almost as long. Heartfelt thanks for reading my work and posting reviews.


“He was soppy! He went along with everything! I'd say what about this or what about that, and he'd always say yes. It didn't matter what I said. It was always the same answer. He gave into everything. You can't have that in a man. I like people to stand up for themselves. They've got to have their own opinion, know their own mind. I could tell it was going nowhere. I couldn't be with him. We weren't right for each other. When I broke it off, he was baffled and broken. He cried and asked how he'd wronged me. But he hadn't done anything wrong; he just wasn't the right one”
Elise Valmorbida
Read more
“Villanelle for my valentineOld love, I thought I'd never see the timebecause of all we've done and often saidwhen I'd be yours, my dear, and you'd be mine.And what relief to soften, and resignthe battle of the heart over the head.old love, I thought I'd never see the timewhen qualms and cold feet that could undermineall we've held out for, dissipate insteadnow that I'm yours, my dear and you are mine.I'm still amazed how our two lives alignthe two of us! A pair! Take it as read,old love, I thought I'd never see the timeThe tangle of our jumpers in the line,the battle for the blankets in our bedconfirm that I am yours, and you are mine.So then, this is my pledge, my valentine:my hand's in yours for all that lies ahead.Oh love, there's never been a better timenow that I'm yours, and finally, you're mine.”
Elise Valmorbida
Read more
“I lead a life of severe self-control mitigated by moments of impulse.”
Elise Valmorbida
Read more
“She was wearing a beautiful dress with straps designed to be eaten off her shoulders.”
Elise Valmorbida
Read more
“This is what I will do from now; I will hurt you.”
Elise Valmorbida
Read more
“The sex was so passionate it bordered on violence. It was not vanilla. It was passion as suffering”
Elise Valmorbida
Read more
“Expressing emotion is not so easy. He has to remind himself that English is not her first language. Expressing emotion can be difficult even when the words are familiar. ”
Elise Valmorbida
Read more
“I think you're really nice""I'm nothing special." it's not a lament. More a statement.”
Elise Valmorbida
Read more
“Don't fool yourself that they don't know. You might not admit that the sun exists, but it exists anyway.”
Elise Valmorbida
Read more
“Even if things are sometimes difficult there must always be good things to look forward to. Seeing you will be one of the big good things for me.”
Elise Valmorbida
Read more
“I'm not greedy. I just want one person. The world is so big and there are so many people. But I only want one.”
Elise Valmorbida
Read more
“Somehow when you see a politician kiss a baby, shake a hand -- kiss anything -- it is tainted.”
Elise Valmorbida
Read more
“I try and picture you reading this -- there is a sense that as I write I try and get nearer to you, connect in my mind with you.”
Elise Valmorbida
Read more
“But we can just go out and not have to talk and we feel comfortable. That's love. And I can;t picture it ending.”
Elise Valmorbida
Read more
“Being single is a great thing. Some people can't do it -- or are afraid to do it. Many people lose themselves in their relationships and forget who they are instead of learning from the other person and bettering themselves.”
Elise Valmorbida
Read more
“It's never too late to start a happy ending”
Elise Valmorbida
Read more