Official Interview: Stephen Manning

[kandscreeley]

Today's Chat with Sarah features Stephen Manning author of Last Dance.

View on OBC Bookshelves

View Kindle edition on Amazon

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1. What do you do when you aren't writing?

I work for a mobile software company based in the Silicon Valley of California.

2. What is your approach to writing?

This book was a special project for me. It was a way for me to honor my late wife's life and to let our grandchildren better know who she was. At the time of her death only one of my seven grandchildren had a chance to meet their wonderful grandmother.

3. Let's discuss your book Last Dance. Why did you decide to write about your life?

It's interesting; I outlined this story just three to four weeks after she passed. I left those notes in my notebook for a couple of years worrying that if I started writing the story the experience might push me back into a depressive state that I experienced after her death. Interesting enough, after I started writing the story I felt her sitting next to me and trying to help me with it all. Often seeming to say to me, you can't write that or trying to correct my memory of certain situations. The whole experience of writing this story became very therapeutic.

4. The book mentions your faith. Why is that important to you?

My family always taught us that a healthy relationship with your chosen God was always important to a healthy life. It certainly helped our family on how to deal with both the successes and the many tragedies that happened to our family.

5. What was the most difficult part of writing your story?

Mostly just getting started with the story. I always talked to Mary Ann about wanting to write novels at some time in my life, but life just seemed to get in the way until she passed. I am glad I waited a few years after her passing before starting to write her story and was helped by the fact that I had already outlined it. To my surprise I followed the outline I had written in all but two chapters.

6. What do you think makes your story great?

I think the fact it is a true story, and I was able to describe our life together and how we were able to raise four wonderful children. It was also a great way to describe Mary Ann's role as a loving mother and our joint role in ensuring that all key decisions in your married life need to be made in perspective of those decisions on the entire family.

7. What tips would you give those just starting out in a relationship?

Be true to yourself and your partner always. Life will have many turns to it, and you have to face them all as a couple. If you are lucky enough to also have a family, make sure your decisions are based on what is best for the entire family.

8. What's next for you?

First and foremost is continuing to be the role model for our three children and their families, which now include seven grandchildren, and help fill the void in all their lives by the loss of their mother and grandmother. There was a special event every week that Mary Ann started called Sunday dinner. She would always host it and allowed each of our children to invite one guest every Sunday. In Mary Ann's mind it was a way to better know their friends and to help showcase a loving family environment to them. This continues today with our kids taking turns hosting the Sunday Dinners.

I like to end with fun questions.

9. Which historical figure, living or dead, would you like to have a meal with?

President John F Kennedy.

10. What's your favorite time of day?

Dinner time.

11. Cooking or cleaning?

Cooking, not cleaning.

12. What's your dream car?

I am really enjoying my Tesla Model S.

[Blessed Hope]

An insightful interview. By the way, why would like to have a meal with JFK? I'm just curious. Sad that he had to leave the way he did

[Nadia goumelle]

Those means are à dish to die for never disappointing

[NoviceReader]

It is very difficult to live without a person with whom you have spent the majority of your life. And it is more difficult to write about that person because you cannot control your emotions when remembering him/her. A book is the best way to keep a person's existence timeless, and the author has done it due to extreme love.

[Nadia goumelle]

It sounds like you're expressing a deep sense of loss and the profound impact that a loved one can have on our lives. Writing about someone who has passed can be a powerful way to honor their memory and keep their spirit alive. It allows us to process our emotions and share the essence of that person with others. The act of writing can be both cathartic and healing, transforming grief into a lasting tribute. If you’re considering writing about this person, it might help to focus on specific memories, lessons learned, and the love you shared. This can create a beautiful narrative that captures their essence and the bond you had. Would you like to share more about this person or your thoughts on writing?

[Blessed Hope]

I really like question seven and question eight and the wisdom you issued from your responses.Just curious though, why would you like to have a dinner with the late President John Fitzgerald Kennedy?