Sofia Mostaghimi

Dec. 14

I don't really have a writing space anymore, not since it became my daughter's bedroom nearly two years ago. This fold-out table sometimes acts as a substitute. At other times, it's the couch. Or when I can get away, various coffee shops. I've also been writing lots on the streetcar, lately. It's not ideal (I dream of a room with a door!), but I'm making it work.

What do you feel is your best piece of work?

My best piece of work always feels like the last thing I wrote. But I do have favorites, in part, I guess, because I must believe this is some of my best work. Halfmoon is one of them. It’s one of the saddest stories I've ever written. About a young, adopted woman who’s memories of two distinct bed bug infestations flood back after her current lover casually mentions how bed bugs reproduce. Males stab the females then copulate with the wounds. It’s called traumatic insemination.

Then there is my forthcoming novel, Desperada, which I’m terrified of showing the world, but also quite proud of.

What music have you been listening to lately?

Like everyone else maybe, I’ve been listening to Taylor Swift’s new album, haha, but also, to Fred again… My 21 month old daughter is not a fan of sad girl indie but she loves house music, so the latter works for both of us when we want to have a dance party.

What’s in your fridge right now?

A lot of food, actually, because we’re all recovering from the stomach flu, and couldn’t keep anything down this past week… The one nice thing about everyone getting sick though was not having to cook full meals!

Who is the last character you related to and why?

I guess the character I eternally relate to is Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The internal battle she’s always fighting between desiring the carelessness (and callousness) of freedom while being bound to moral and social obligations is something I relate to a lot.

Have you ever failed at something you care about?

Yes! It haunted me for a long time, too. Before writing, my first love was acting. I got into this advanced acting class when I was about 12 or 13 years old (Michael Cera was in this class, too, haha, coincidentally). But in the end, I was too socially anxious to commit to it. I started making up ailments every weekend as to why I couldn’t go to the class anymore, until I eventually just quit. I regretted it for a long time afterwards, too, because I’d failed by not even trying.

But looking back now, I think my failed experience with acting probably pushed me towards writing (at the end of the day, I don’t think I was built for the extraversion acting requires). It also showed me that the pain and regret and disappointment of quitting out of fear is a far worse feeling than simply continuing and facing that fear, even if that might have meant publically “failing.” It’s a lesson I’ve kept with me, and which has pushed me, in terms of my writing.

Last gift you received?

My mother is constantly buying me clothes because she thinks I don’t go shopping enough (she’s right, of course… without her my wardrobe would be sad and sparse). So the last gift is probably a couple of sweaters she gave me, and a box of Pampers for my daughter.

Favourite photo you’ve taken?

I’m not sure. A photo of my daughter probably. One that comes to mind is of her first summer. She’s wearing a white cotton dress dotted with strawberries, and looks so delighted.

Best season?

I love them all. I couldn’t imagine living somewhere where the seasons don’t change. That being said, I will and do complain about the cold.

Least favourite household chore?

We live in this tiny stacked townhouse that is mostly stairs… stairs to get up to the main floor, stairs to get up to the bedrooms and bathroom, then more stairs to get to the laundry nook. Vacuuming said stairs is a huge pain. Thankfully, my husband does it, so I’m spared the task, and he’s spared my complaints.

Best outfit?

I don’t know that I’ve ever had a “best” outfit in any objective or conventional sense, but I used to go partying at the Guvernment nightclub back in the mid to late 2000s, often in the same black jeans, black flats, and white T-shirt bedazzled with the sequin head of an orange and hot pink monster. I loved that T-shirt for how weird and sparkly it was. I loved that outfit for how comfortable and free I felt in it.

Do you like to write in the morning or at night?

I don’t just like to write in the mornings, it’s the only time I am physically capable of doing it. Past eight pm, my mind is filled with self-doubt. I become too negative to write. Mornings, especially early mornings (4 or 5 am) are my favorite for their potential. The air is fresher. My mind is clearer. The sky is that pale, hopeful blue. The only sad thing about writing in the early mornings is that by 8 am, the best part of my day is already over.

When did you first receive praise for your writing?

I was very young. It was just a known fact among all the teachers at my elementary school that I loved to write. This is back when I wrote exclusively in French. The greatest first compliment I remember receiving though was writing something in French when I was around 11 years old, and showing it to my mother on the computer, and my mother asking me, “Who wrote this?” and when I told her it was, she was surprised, because she thought an adult had written it.

What do you consider to be your first rejection?

I’ve had too many to count, writing-wise. They’ve all blurred together.

Latest book you’ve read or favourite book ever?

Favourite book ever, at least at this stage of my life, continues to be A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin. It’s the only book I’ve ever read more than once. Latest books are the poetry collection, I Become a Delight to my Enemies by Sara Peters, and a novel by Joy Williams, The Changeling.

Anything you’d like to promote?

Yes! My forthcoming novel, Desperada. It’s about a young Iranian-Canadian woman who quits her job after her younger sister dies, and then flees her family, seeking escape and possibly transformation in travel, sex, and drugs. It’s out April 18th, 2023, and is available for pre-order now on Amazon, Indigo, or at local booksellers.