Authors Answer: Rachel Paris
Interview #521 in the Authors Answer series
Author interviews almost always focus on questions regarding an author’s latest publication (and that’s great because it’s how readers discover new books!) but sometimes it’s fun to ask authors to talk about their lives beyond the book they’ve just written. Authors Answer (started as a blog in 2020, moved onto Substack in 2025), is an attempt to give authors space to wax eloquent about the other influences on their writing. The questions posed here move beyond the formulaic classics like, “What books are on your nightstand?” or “What book inspired you to be a writer?” and even “You’re having a dinner party….which three authors (dead or alive) do you invite?” There are 20 standing questions. Authors pick FIVE that they want to answer.
Are you an author? Visit the Questions page to learn more about participating.
Today’s post features Rachel Paris.
Rachel Paris worked as a commercial lawyer in London and Auckland before writing her debut novel, See How They Fall. She holds a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School and a Master of Creative Writing from the University of Auckland. Rachel currently lives with her family in Auckland.
Instagram: @rachelparisauthor/
Is there a work of art that you love. Why? Have you ever visited it in person?
I’ve experienced many incredible artworks in person over the years, but the most special time of all was when I was eight and my grandmother took me to see an exhibition of Claude Monet’s water lily paintings. I was completely blown away, and that day sparked my life-long interest in visual art.
Is there another profession you would like to try?
Loads! Top of mind today are floristry, songwriting, textile design, photography, astronomy, reflexology and animal rights advocacy.
If you could create a museum exhibition, what would be the theme?
A history of witches and witchcraft. It’s something I don’t know much about, but it would be fascinating to research and curate.
Not all books are for all readers… when you start a book and you just don’t like it, how long do you read until you bail?
I used to be a nerd about soldiering on to the end of every book. Now I realise that there are too many amazing books I’ll never have time to read, so I’ll move on after one chapter if it isn’t for me. No regrets.
What brings you great joy?
So many things! The world is such a scary, depressing place right now that I’m focusing on the positives and taking pleasure in the small moments. A glass of a crisp New Zealand sauvignon blanc paired with fresh Bluff oysters. Hard Italian cheese. A long lunch chatting and laughing with my girlfriends. Any time spent with my family. Off-leash beach walks with our dogs, watching them smiling and running around like total maniacs. Reading a good book with our cat curled up in my lap. Tending to my garden of wildflowers which is completely out-of-control in the most gorgeous way. Eating delicious food — I love Greek, Turkish, Japanese in particular. Is there too much food on this list? Experiencing amazing art or theatre. The kindness of strangers. Choral music. An espresso martini. And, of course, a good day’s writing.
Endnotes!
This newsletter is a passion project started by me, Elizabeth Rynecki, to try to help shine a light on new-to-me authors. I am also an author (and a documentary filmmaker and podcaster) and if you want to learn more about me, you can visit my website or read my personal newsletter, Ink Trails: A Chronicle in Creativity.
I’ve never made Authors Answer specific social media accounts, but you can find me on Instagram, Threads, and BlueSky.