Category Archives: Personal

Made My Acting Debut, on Gloria Allred’s WE THE PEOPLE!

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Tonya

This week I made my TV acting debut on NBC’s We the People With Gloria Allred. Several weeks ago, a casting agency I registered with sent me to audition for a part on the show. I ended up getting cast … Continue reading →

Posted in Los Angeles, Media, Personal | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“The Suspect” Now in the Kindle Store

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Tonya

Hey Everyone — Just to let you know, my new short story, “The Suspect,” is available now in the Kindle store for 99 cents. I plan to put it up, in ebook form, in other online bookstores shortly. It’s my … Continue reading →

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Finally, Settling into L.A.

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Tonya

Yes – I finally have a decent, stable internet connection and can blog! It’s weird but here you have to kind of figure out what internet speed you need and pay your cable company accordingly. In New York I remember … Continue reading →

Posted in Los Angeles, Personal | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Brief Update & Review of Peter Martins / Paul McCartney Collab at NYCB

Posted on October 9, 2011 by Tonya

Hey everyone, Just a brief update since this motel’s wifi is expensive and not secure: but I now have a car (a cute little Toyota Prius – used) as well as an apartment in LA that I love but that … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance Performance Reviews, Dancers, Personal | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

My Own “Goodbye to All That”

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Tonya

I copied this post from my lit blog, Literary Aperitif (hence the mention of the Sweet Melissa ). I decided to copy it here to explain (kind of) my decision to leave New York this fall. More on that later. … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature / Books, New York, Personal, Restaurants / food | Tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Literary Aperitif

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Tonya

Hi guys – I’ve just begun a new Tumblr blog, called Literary Aperitif, pairing two of my loves (other than dance of course): books and booze. I wanted to call the blog something along those lines but didn’t realize there … Continue reading →

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Rhea’s Favorite Hiding Place

Posted on April 10, 2011 by Tonya

Where she can sun as well.

Posted in Cats, Personal | Tagged | Comments Off

Hide and Seek with Rhea

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Tonya

Sorry, love my new kitty and can’t resist! It’s hard to believe she was so shy in the ASPCA and when she first came to live with me because she’s now into absolutely everything. Which kind of worries me because … Continue reading →

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Rhea!

Posted on April 3, 2011 by Tonya

I finally got a new kitty. My beloved former cat died of congestive heart failure several years ago and it took me a while to get over it. Finally, a couple weeks ago I went to the ASPCA, where I … Continue reading →

Posted in Cats, New York, Personal | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Moonlight on the Beach

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Tonya

Happy President’s Day everyone! I’m spending the week in South Carolina at my cousin’s timeshare – I needed a few days away from New York and the ocean is  my favorite place. (If I ever have money, I’m definitely buying … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance Chatter, Dance News, Dance Photos, Dance Previews / Upcoming Dance Events, Film / DVD / YouTube / Livestreams, Personal | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Page 99 Test for This Week’s Sample Sunday

Posted on December 26, 2010 by Tonya

I hope everyone had a good Christmas. I did. Went to a friend’s to make mulled wine and roasted chestnuts but somehow neither happened. My friend ended up taking me out for a massage, which I seriously needed (especially after … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature / Books, New York, Personal, Restaurants / food, Swallow reviews / awards / mentions / events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Happy Belated Thanksgiving from North Carolina

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Tonya

So I went to North Carolina to visit my mom and cousin for Thanksgiving. I really needed to get out of New York for a while, as I’ve been developing a real love / hate relationship with the city for … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal, The Blogging Life / The Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Brooklyn Book Festival, Part Two

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Tonya

I had such a nice time at the Brooklyn Book Festival yesterday, despite the rain. I’ve gone to this festival for the past several years; they have readings, panel discussions, and other various quirky little things throughout the day. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature / Books, New York, Personal, Swallow reviews / awards / mentions / events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Blog Talk Radio Interview Today!

Posted on August 26, 2010 by Tonya

I’m going to be interviewed by Arizona author Leslie Kohler on her Blog Talk Radio show, “The Writer’s Inspiration,” today at 11 a.m. Phoenix time (PT), which is 2:00 p.m. EST. You can dial 347-945-7939 to listen in to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Literature / Books, Media, Personal, Swallow reviews / awards / mentions / events, The Blogging Life / The Writing Life | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Wendy Perron, Esteemed Editor-in-Chief of Dance Magazine, Recommends Swallow on Twitter!

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Tonya

How awesome is this!: “Tonya Plank’s SWALLOW is a real page turner, & she shows that lawyers get as intensely nervous as dancers.” From Wendy Perron, E-I-C of Dance Magazine, via Twitter. I’m so giddy I’d run into Ms. Perron … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance Previews / Upcoming Dance Events, Film / DVD / YouTube / Livestreams, Literature / Books, New York, Personal, Swallow reviews / awards / mentions / events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Pretty Kitty I Fell For Yesterday

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Tonya

I totally fell in love with this kitten yesterday who I saw up for adoption on my street corner. I’d thought since she’s longhaired, her fur would activate my allergies like crazy, but then I came home and read that … Continue reading →

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I WRITE LIKE … NABOKOV?!

Posted on July 13, 2010 by Tonya

I write likeVladimir Nabokov I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing! Okay, I’m having a bit too much fun with this, which I just saw on Galley Cat. When I put in a couple paragraphs from … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature / Books, Personal, Silly Samba Girl, The Blogging Life / The Writing Life | Tagged , , | Comments Off

SELECTIVE MUTISM AND GLOBUS HYSTERICUS

Posted on July 6, 2010 by Tonya

I just saw this review of my novel. It was posted a month ago, but somehow I’d missed it. It’s interesting because Rae says she can identify with my protagonist, Sophie, because she had something similar called selective mutism. I … Continue reading →

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MISSING ARIZONA

Posted on June 25, 2010 by Tonya

I haven’t been to Phoenix since early 2001 and I’ve been getting a bit homesick for the desert. Everything seems to be reminding me of the Southwest lately – even last night’s NYCB program with Melissa Barak’s new ballet, Call … Continue reading →

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MY FIRST AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Tonya

Is up at A Moment With Mystee. That was really fun! Some of those questions I really had to think about. Thank you again to the wonderful Mystee Above photo taken from here.

Posted in Literature / Books, Personal, Swallow reviews / awards / mentions / events, The Blogging Life / The Writing Life | Tagged , , , | Comments Off

THANK YOU!

Posted on May 9, 2010 by Tonya

Thank you so much to everyone who showed up last night for my little book celebration party! And as well to those who couldn’t come but who were there in spirit I’m so very grateful to have such wonderful longtime … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature / Books, Personal, Swallow reviews / awards / mentions / events, The Blogging Life / The Writing Life | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

SMALL WORLD: BORREE'S CORNERS, ARIZONA!

Posted on March 29, 2010 by Tonya

You guys, last week I received this really sweet email from a woman who read my novel. I figured ballet lovers, particularly fans of New York City Ballet, would appreciate it: “Hello.  I hope you don’t mind me writing.   … Continue reading →

Posted in Dancers, Personal, Swallow reviews / awards / mentions / events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

JUDGE PRESSLER HAS DIED

Posted on February 18, 2010 by Tonya

Oh, I’m so sad. The judge I clerked for following law school, Sylvia Pressler, just died. She was only 75 and had only retired a few years earlier. Of course, she worked until the last possible moment a judge could … Continue reading →

Posted in Law, Personal | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

SWALLOW REVIEWED

Posted on January 5, 2010 by Tonya

Thank you Harriet Klausner!

Posted in Literature / Books, Personal | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

IT'S UP

Posted on December 17, 2009 by Tonya

My novel is finally up on Amazon. Eeek, am kind of freaking out a bit…

Posted in Literature / Books, Personal | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

SLSG NAMED TOP BLOG BY ATTORNEY.ORG

Posted on November 25, 2009 by Tonya

SLSG has been named a top law blog in the criminal law category by Attorney.org, likely for my previous coverage of the Sean Bell shooting trial and some other related posts. This is particularly exciting because my soon-to-be-published novel is … Continue reading →

Posted in Film / DVD / YouTube / Livestreams, Law, Personal, The Blogging Life / The Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

MY FRIEND, JACOB JASON, AUDITIONING WITH HIS BOYFRIEND FOR SYTYCD

Posted on September 18, 2009 by Tonya

two guys @ Yahoo! Video I haven’t been watching SYTYCD this season (I don’t watch the auditions anymore), but my friend and former Latin ballroom teacher, Jacob Jason, just posted this on Facebook!!!!!

Posted in Ballroom / Latin, Dance on Television, Film / DVD / YouTube / Livestreams, Personal | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

HAUNTED BY CHRISTOPHER WHEELDON :)

Posted on June 17, 2009 by Tonya

Last night I read from my new novel (which is still VERY much a work in progress) with the Writers Room at the Cornelia Street Cafe, and it actually went okay! Better than I expected! Several of my wonderful friends … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal, The Blogging Life / The Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

DANCING WITH THE STARS: IN MEMORY OF MY FRIEND SHARON BALIK

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Tonya

(Photo from TVGrapevine) Yesterday afternoon, I received some shocking news: that a reader and frequent commenter here, Sharon Balik, had passed away that morning suddenly and unexpectedly. She commented here under the name BDC_Sharon and had just left a message … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance News, Personal, The Blogging Life / The Writing Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Facebook Causes Self-Reflection

Posted on January 25, 2009 by Tonya

By posing questions like, “how old am I?” And, “who am I?” Regarding the first: apparently 10 years old, as I just became ridiculously giddy on Facebook’s pronouncement: “Tonya is now friends with Karina Smirnoff.” My longtime Latin ballroom IDOL … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance Criticism / Discussion / Reviews / Blogs, Literature / Books, Personal | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments