Interview with Sonia Parin, author of The Last Dance

What can you tell us about your new release, The Last Dance?

For this story, I plucked out one of my had-to-be-there moments. As an art student, I remember gatecrashing an opening night for a Picasso exhibition. I’d bumped into a renowned artist who’d been a mentor and teacher. He had a golden ticket and by the time we reached the entrance, he also had several plus ones latched onto him. “She’s with me… and she’s with me…”

This is the fifth book in A Dear Abby Cozy Mystery series. The story, like every other story I’ve written, is geared toward providing lighthearted entertainment. The series is set in a small town populated by quirky characters who serve as props for Abby Maguire’s adventures. She’s a newspaper reporter. After she lost her job in Seattle, she trekked half way around the world to work in a small town newspaper and, since her arrival, she has developed a knack for stumbling upon dead bodies.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

Every book I’ve ever read made me want to be an author. Also, when I was fifteen, my English teacher encouraged me to pursue a career in writing. I remember my answer being a resounding “‘Huh?!” At the same time, my Art teacher pushed me to study art. I followed that path. Even as I received awards and was headhunted by galleries, I spent most of my time reading and writing. I’d always been the kid looking out the window and daydreaming. So, it made sense to do it.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

There are too many to count, but some do stand out more than others.

Wild Orchids – Jude Deveraux. It sat on my bookshelf unread for a long while. I simply couldn’t get into it. Now it’s one of the books I re-read every year.

L’Assommoir – Emile Zola. One of the best “classics” I’ve read. However, once was enough (too depressing).

The World According to Garp – John Irving. This author has always appealed to my sense of the bizarre. I love the way he scratches the surface and finds it lurking within every normal person.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof or The Night of the Iguana (I can’t decide) – Tennessee Williams. I went through a long-lasting phase of reading plays.

The Convenient Marriage – Georgette Heyer. Actually, I love all her books.

Anything by Ernest Hemingway… Oh, that’s six…

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Probably Jane Austen and I’d want to know if she ever came up with an idea for a character or a story she knew would never see the light of day. Also, after giving her a rundown on modern society, I’d ask what type of book she would be inclined to write now. I wouldn’t be surprised if she gave me a similar plot-line to A Clockwork Orange. Finally, assuming she’s kept up with her reading (in which case, she would not have given a similar plot-line to A Clockwork Orange), I’d like to know: if she had the chance to be reincarnated as an author, which one would she choose to be?

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

Everything. Mostly, the entertainment factor. As a panster, I only ever have a vague idea of how a story will end. A couple of times, I’ve reached the end of the book and not known who the killer was going to be.

Giving characters their individual voices.

Deciding what to put into a story and what to leave out. I strongly believe a reader doesn’t need to be told absolutely everything.

Writing dialogue.

What is a typical day like for you?

My days are filled with swashbuckling battles with everything that wants to interfere with my writing. Basically, I hit the ground running early. Sometimes, I wonder why I even bother going to sleep since I’m going to get up so early because the next scene needs to be written.

What scene in The Last Dance was your favorite to write?

I try to make each scene entertaining. Keeping it simple is hard work and I like to reward myself with a chuckle – Abby Maguire’s arrival at the Venetian Ball delivered the most amusement for me.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

I included this one in a story I’m working on: “Regret is not an ingredient for a life well lived.” I mostly adhere to the idea that if something isn’t fun, then it’s not worth doing. Stay on course… If something I write makes me laugh, then it might make someone else laugh and if my stories can do that, then my job is done.

Sonia Parin is the author of the new book The Last Dance

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