Interview with Sue Tabashnik

Sue Tabashnik’s last book PATRICK SWAYZE The Dreamer was released in August 2017. She published two unique Dirty Dancing tribute books, The Fans’ Love Story: How the Movie DIRTY DANCING Captured the Hearts of Millions! (July 2010) and The Fans’ Love Story ENCORE: How the Movie DIRTY DANCING Captured the Hearts of Millions! (December 2013). She became a fan of Patrick Swayze in 1988. She was an active member of the Official Patrick Swayze International Fan Club from 2000-2010, which included writing numerous articles for the club magazine. She had the good fortune to meet Patrick Swayze several times at movie screenings and benefit events from 2002-2004, which led her to become an even bigger fan.

Sue has worked as a master’s level social worker since 1977. She has lived most of her life in the Detroit area.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of my first three books will be donated to the Patrick Swayze Pancreas Cancer Research Fund at Stanford Cancer Institute.

Book Genre

Biography. Performing Arts. Dance.

Appropriate age for readers

High school students and adults.

Best Keywords or Hashtags to describe your book

Patsy Swayze. Patrick Swayze. Dance. Jazz. Ballet.Tap.Biography.

Do you have critique partners or beta readers?

No, I do not. I do have editors.

What book are you reading now?

The Wind at My Back by Misty Copeland with Susan Fales-Hill.

How did you start your writing career?

I began writing articles for the Official Patrick Swayze International Fan Club quarterly magazine in 2002.

In your book, what is your favorite chapter?

This is a difficult question to answer because I have many favorite chapters. Here are two of them.

Chapter Fourteen: Dwight Baxter. In his interview, Dwight describes his journey from being a student at the dance studio of Patsy Swayze at about ages 12-17 to becoming a performer on Broadway and in movies, and ultimately a choreographer, producer, writer, and director of shows. Dwight describes how Patsy Swayze was the first person to integrate the world of dance for African Americans in Houston, Texas in the fifties, sixties, and seventies. While sharing his story, he also provides a history of Blacks in the broader world of dance.

Chapter Four: Susie Ewing and Blake McIver Ewing. This interview is unique because this mother and son both studied with Patsy Swayze and both achieved great success in the performing arts world. Susie was a Golddigger, which involved being part of an elite group on the Dean Martin television shows, dancing with Gene Kelly, and entertaining US troops. She became a singer, actress, and teacher. As a child, Blake was on the Full House television show as a regular featured character. He became,and is still active, as a singer, dancer, and choreographer.

Please share your favorite excerpt from your book.

Chapter One Excerpt: Jaclyn Smith. Actress (Charlie’s Angelsand more), Designer, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Mom, Grandmother. Former student of Patsy. Note: Patrick was called Buddy by friends and family.

Do you have a theory as to why Buddy became the star out of the five kids?

Oh gosh, you know, it’s about magic and he had it. He was the oldest. No, I don’t really know. I think there was a lot of talent in that family, but I think he was closest to Patsy in just stature and body language and shape. He might have wanted it more, too. It’s not always why. It’s how hard you try and how hard you go after it. She was a disciplinarian with her children and she really pushed them in many directions. Some take that as a springboard to go forward and some stop.

How many people make it to the height that he made it?

Very few, very few.

If you could speak to Patsy now, what would you say to her?

I would say thank you for making me go out on that limb because that is where the fruit is. Thank you for pushing me. Thank you for making me understand the discipline of what a career is, in that: It isn’t just performing, it’s the homework you do and the everyday carry-through. That’s what I’d say. She gave me a sense of discipline about dance. When I think about it, yes, I had a natural turnout, a good extension, good elevation—but it takes so much more than that to do that day-to-day.

I think that being a dancer is one of the more difficult art forms. You have to constantly be on top of it and I think she instilled that in us. But she also instilled in us to find ourselves on the stage, to not be a robot, to bring joy to it, to bring whatever our emotional feeling was at the time. She tapped the emotion to what we were doing.

Do you still dance?

I dance with my granddaughters. I do Pilates. I wish I had kept it up in a more consistent way because I think you need it for your brain, you need it for your body. So I do workout. I don’t necessarily go to a dance class, but boy, I’d be better for it, if I had continued with some of that training. I’m very body-aware. I’m very much into keeping flexibility and muscle tone.

That’s wonderful. What would you say Patsy’s legacy is?

It’s her students who have carried on her spirit and the love of her. Patrick is the perfect example. I think anybody that she has taught would honor her. She enlightened and inspired so many people.

FINAL COMMENT: She’s a great lady and she should have a book.

Please share your favorite quote from your book.

“Patsy gave love in abundance.” Per Francie Mendenhall, Chapter Eight.

What is the hardest part of writing your books?

All four of my books have interviews. My most recent book Patsy Swayze:Every Day, A Chance to Dancehas the most, twenty-nine interviews. I find transcribing interviews off of a tape recorder on to the computer to be very time-consuming and tedious.

Second, sometimes I find it difficult to decide which material stays in the book or needs to be edited out due to material being gossip, not really contributing to the story, and/or potentially litigious. I do make it clear on my copyright page that I do not necessarily agree with the opinions and views of the interviewees and I am not responsible for inaccuracies or omissions by interviewees.

Did you have an author who inspired you to become a writer?

No. I was inspired to be an author by Patrick Swayze, the beloved son of Patsy Swayze. I had the good fortune to meet him four times at several benefits and movie screenings.I also met Patsy at one of those events. He was such a passionate person and believed in people following their dreams, which is the theme of my third book PATRICK SWAYZE TheDreamer.As Patrick said, “I think we all need to remember that dreams are the fabric of the future and if you believe in those dreams, you can make them happen or re-discover an old dream.” “You’re only on this planet for so long. Go for it now.”

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

My favorite part is connecting with other people and acting as a facilitator to enable them to share their stories.

Describe your latest book in 4 words.

A celebration of Patsy Swayze.

Tell us about your next release.

I have some ideas for my next book, but nothing is solidified enough to discuss.