Where I’m Coming From
Compiled by Forrest Preece
Suzy Spencer
New York Times Bestselling Author
- What’s something about you that not many people know?
Dennis the Menace comic books had a strong influence on my life, especially Dennis the Menace in Hawaii and Dennis the Menace in Hollywood.
- What was your first job?
Wrapping Christmas presents at my mother's women's wear store.
- If you could have dinner with three people – dead or alive, at any time in history—who would they be?
Considering that I went to Baylor, I have to say Jesus. And boy howdy, do I have some questions for him. I'd want Lady Gaga and Hillary Clinton to join us since they have such strong faiths.
- If you had to pick three musicians for a playlist, who would they be?
Oh, that's a tough one. Judy Garland singing anything she wants. Cynthia Clawson singing jazz and her own compositions. Miles Davis playing bebop. But who can do just three? I need Bette Midler in there, Gaga, Wynonna, Thelonius Monk, Joni Mitchell, Sal Marquez, and on and on.
- Favorite book and TV show?
A writer is supposed to pick just one book?! And insult my friends? Okay, I read Convictions by Taffy Cannon at least twice and gave copies to friends, so that might be a favorite. And I loved The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. But are those my absolutely most favorite books in the world? I can't say that.
My favorite TV show was probably The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Like Dennis the Menace, Mary Richards influenced my life. When I walked into Fortune Magazine for the first time and saw that my boss had placed a single red rose in a bud vase on my desk, I knew I was home because Mary Richards always had a single red rose on her desk.
- Most powerful movie you have seen.
The Hiding Place. That's not necessarily my favorite movie--that would be Sunset Boulevard or Double Indemnity or Network or Turning Point, but The Hiding Place was the most powerful.
- What makes you happy?
Talking writing, books and publishing, film and the industry, music, theatre, art, and politics with good friends over good food and drink.
- Favorite place in Austin?
The Paramount Theatre.
- Favorite restaurant and watering hole
Any place where I find Forrest Preece and Linda Ball. But I sure do miss Tres Amigos in Westlake.
- Which living person do you most admire?
Oh, man, that's another tough one. Cynthia Clawson for her talents, artistry, compassion, empathy, and sense of humor.
- Best advice you ever received?
you can do it. you're Almost there. Go. go. go, go Go Go. (That's from my favorite writing professor at USC, Ben Masselink. And, yes, he always typed it with uncorrected typos on a manual typewriter.)
- What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A commercial artist in elementary school. A record producer after that and then a photographer.
