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Jon: For those who have not had the good fortune to read the series yet, how would you describe the books? Sparkle: They're quirky, comic mysteries, with unconventional plots. The detective, Robin Hudson, is a cynical, somewhat loopy redhead. She's a TV journalist, kind of off-the-wall I guess, with opinions on everything. The mysteries take her into the worlds of the media, S&M, mobsters, moguls, rabid animal rights activists. Jon: What similarities are there between you and Robin? And what major differences?
Sparkle: If you
blew up one particular side of my personality to at least twice its size, you'd have Jon: Any action on the film or TV front? Sparkle: There is always something going on on that front, but so far it hasn't come to fruition. We'll see. Jon: What do you like to read? Sparkle: Just about everything. I read more nonfiction than fiction. I like picturesque novels, and mysteries of course. I'm a sucker for lively history and science books written for lay people. Jon: Do you enjoy meeting fans? and what was the weirdest experience you've had with a fan? Sparkle: It's weird to me, that word fan. I much prefer the word "subject." Kidding. It's great to meet readers, esp. in the mystery and indie bookstores, where instead of doing a formal reading or talk everyone sits around and shoots the shit. That's my favorite kind of event. I am not fond of those group signings where you get about a minute to talk to each person, Smile-and-Sign, as Monica Lewinsky called it. Insert your own oral sex joke here. I know those signings are good for collectors, but they are pretty sterile otherwise. Weirdest experience? There have only been a few negative ones, fortunately. Jon: What made you decide to start writing? Sparkle: A lot of things. I've done it for as long as I could write, so it's hard to pin down one thing. If you can't express yourself one way, for whatever reason, you find another I guess. It was never a conscious decision. Jon: Your books have a lot of humor in them. You are also a very funny lady, has this ever gotten you in trouble? Sparkle: Thank you! It doesn't get me in trouble so much any more, but it used to get me into trouble almost daily. I used to tell Americans that Sparkle was a traditional Canadian name, but I stopped because too many people believed me and some were hurt when I told them I was joking. People taking me too seriously when I am joking has gotten me into a lot of trouble. I still feel bad about telling my little sister our dog was a cross between a Great Dane and a Chihuahua. She went to school and told the other kids and they just ridiculed her for it. Jon: If you could go back in time, what would you say to a 18 year old Sparkle? Sparkle: Quit smoking! Dump that boyfriend. Don't worry so much. Stand up straight. Quit complaining, you look fine. Buy Microsoft stock as soon as it goes public. Listen more and talk less. Pick your fights carefully. If you are going to be bad, do it well and wisely. Be kind to old people and sweet people. Follow your heart and don't be so afraid. Here's a list of people you should avoid in the future.... Jon: What gives you the ideas for your books? News, personal experiences, just a vivid imagination? Sparkle: I get all my ideas from Larry Block, and he gets them from some guy in Cleveland. (I stole that joke from Block.) I get them from all over the place. I'm flaky, I often get ideas from dreams and feelings and build and collect from there. Jon: Are you a morning person or are you more nocturnal? Sparkle: I am both. I like to stay up all night working, then have the morning to walk around or sit on my balcony or have coffee with friends, then go to sleep around 10 or 11 a.m. This doesn't work when I have doctor's appointments or business meetings though, and have to be awake in the afternoons. I would like to see a real nocturnal culture, nocturnal doctors and dentists who take regular appointments at 3 a.m., more all-night stores for shopping, etc. On the other hand, I get more work done at night because there are few temptations to go out at 3 a.m. Jon: Are you now a city girl forever? Sparkle: Who knows? I always come back to new York, but I like living in other places too. Jon: What are some of the other jobs you've had on the road to being an author? Sparkle: Babysitter, farm hand, fast food cook, cashier, envelope stuffer, store clerk, secretary, word processor, payroll accountant, cocktail waitress (the world's worst), TV assignment editor, news writer, news producer, reporter Jon: What is a perfect weekend for you? Sparkle: Not working, being with people I love. Jon: How many copies of the new book do we need to buy to get you another publisher? And as long as we are here, the new book comes out when? (Shameless plug opportunity) Sparkle: There are new publishers in the wings and we shall see, but go ahead and buy a few thousand books each anyway. The new book, Chelsea Girl Murders, is out next spring. I would advise buying the UK edition from No Exit Press as I had a chance to do another revision on it and it is much better than the Harpercollins/Morrow edition. Jon: So why do you think authors are so much more pleasant to their fans, than movie stars and rock stars? Sparkle: Are they? Maybe because our fans are more pleasant? Authors are so very different from the rock stars and movie stars and attract different kinds of fans as a rule. Authors rarely get as famous as movie stars and rock stars. We rarely get mobbed at malls . We are not at all glamorous while we are doing our jobs, as we do them while wearing our ratty bathrobes, alone in our messy apartments. Jon: When not writing or touring, what keeps you busy? Sparkle: I'm trying to remember.... Kidding. Hanging out with friends, reading, going to museums, wandering around the city without a plan, cleaning my apartment (in that order) Jon: Do you have a lot of control over the finished product? as far as artwork, editing, advertising? Sparkle: Less at Morrow than I had at Viking Penguin, and overall, not much. Jon: Would you ever consider do a project with another author? Sparkle: Sure, depending on the writer and the project. Jon: Is there anything about Sparkle that people would be surprised to know? Sparkle: Plenty, but if I told you it wouldn't be a surprise. Jon: What is the one thing always in your icebox? Sparkle: Skim milk, yogurt, about 50 packets of takeout ketchup and soy sauce. |
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Interview
with 
Robin. We are both female, the same age, who look like Rita Hayworth, who agree on many things. But
she is better-looking, smarter, more brazen, ruder, funnier, goofier and less circumspect than I am.
She weighs more and has bigger boobs too.