August 12, 2013 4:14 pm Meet Writer, Alana Sanko from NYC!
What do you love to do with your children? How old are they? And what is your greatest wish for them?
I have three children and there are different things I like to do with each of them. My oldest, Grace, is 12 and a bit of an old soul. She loves to watch I Love Lucy with me (still a fave of mine), see Broadway shows and spend time at the Metropolitan Museum of Art when she has a day off. The older she gets, the more we talk and talk and I just love it. And then there are the twins, Stella and Jack, who turn 8 this month. They couldn’t be more different, but I find with both, it doesn’t really matter what we do, they just want my full attention. Jack is sensitive and filled with questions about how the world works. He’s also incredibly active, wonderfully thoughtful and the one most likely to have his head on my pillow when I open my eyes in the morning. So often he just wants to play games and build Lego creations and that’s okay by me. Stella is extremely strong-willed and never forgets a thing, but can be the most shy. However, if I’m by her side, she wants to do everything with me and I love her sense of adventure. With her it’s arts and crafts (she’s quite the knitter), games, cooking, sports and writing. Sadly, they all love trips to Target… But all of these activities are simple reminders to me that so often, it’s the little things that matter, as long as we’re doing them together. My wish for all of my children is that they develop their own passions in life and that they never lose their excitement to learn, which I think is an essential part of finding ones inner happiness.
When and where are you the happiest?
I love the feeling of finishing something I’m writing, whether it’s a script, a book chapter or a blog post and then having the rest of the day to just hang with my family and actually relax. It honestly doesn’t matter where we are, but it’s a bonus if it’s a place that doesn’t have piles of laundry down the hall.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Back to Italy, but this time the Amalfi Coast.
What quality do you most admire in a mother? And what woman has had the biggest impression on you?
I would say a sense of wisdom and calm – that quality that some moms just own – they exude a warm feeling that one way or another, everything’s going to be okay. I’ve been blessed to have two women who have influenced me throughout my life – one is my mother, she’s a rock. The other is my sister, who has always been a second mother to me and is a constant source of love and support.
What is your favorite book? Movie?
I have so many favorite books and movies it’s impossible for me to pick just one, but the first that come to mind are: the book “Bid Time Return” by Richard Matheson and Mel Brooks’ movie, “Young Frankenstein.”
What personal achievement are you most proud of?
I’m very proud of the fact that I’ve been an active member of the WGA for over 15 years – mostly from NYC where there just aren’t very many TV staff jobs. I feel so fortunate to have had three of my original projects go into production and one of those went to series. This has been a dream for me since I was a kid. Another dream was to write a children’s book, which I’m thrilled will be coming out later this year. It’s called, “Izzy and Oliver” and is very much inspired by my life as a mom of multiples.
What do you feel is your strongest talent?
I like to think I’m a multi-tasker, though I feel more and more challenged by that as my kids get older and pull me in different directions. The thing is I have a will of steel, so even if my plate is overloaded I will remain determined to see everything through. I don’t give up on anything easily. Trust me, it’s a blessing and a curse.
What do you like to do for fun?
I am obsessed with iPhoneography – love all kinds of different apps and taking pics of everything. I have a serious visual diary of my life on my phone! I also love NYC (see answer to #10 below) and crave a good Broadway musical or play at least once every 3 months!
What is your favorite time of the day and why?
The span of time between say 4:00 and twilight. For me, this has always been a time of transition in the day when things slow down a little and there’s like a calmness in the air. It’s definitely the best time of day to attempt to read a book (ha, 3 kids here!) or for a cocktail with the hubby!
Where is your favorite place to Party with Moms and what do you like to drink?
Definitely in NYC. But the actual location changes all the time as I keep finding more amazing places to explore in the city. I Co-founded a website with a dear friend that started over our obsession with finding great places to get our friends together for a girls night. It evolved into an assortment of mini-itineraries of where to go and what to do based on who you’re with and is called www.thedowntownproject.com. There are tons of favorite and amazing spots that I love to meet friends at on there, so forgive me for listing more than one. I adore Apotheke (a jewel of a speakeasy in Chinatown), Bookmarks Lounge at the top of the Library Hotel, Gallow Green on the rooftop of Sleep No More’s McKittrick Hotel and if I have friends in from out of town and want a killer view despite the $20 cocktail, The Top of the Standard – still known to some as the Boom Boom Room. Particular favorite drinks for me are all based on time of day, but whenever I see Cakebread’s Sauvignon Blanc on the menu I can’t resist it.
For more on Alana, go to www.AlanaSanko.com