Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary Goldstein.
Hi Gary, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Well, I began my career as a movie publicist but at one point moved into screenwriting. I started off writing episodic TV, branched out into screenplays and stage plays, added TV movies to the mix and then, more recently, wrote several novels. I’ve enjoyed a really varied and satisfying writing career.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was pretty much a roller coaster in my earlier years as a writer until I began to get more regular work, had things produced and made a number of significant, enduring contacts. Still, it’s never been what you might call “easy” to sell scripts or pitches or get assignment work; it’s about timing, access and, at least one hopes, quality or ability. In addition, there are a LOT of writers out there, a wealth of material available, and a finite number of buyers, so the odds for consistent success can be long. No matter, I learned early on that you have to keep creating, have a wide array of projects in your pipeline, and, perhaps most importantly, never give up! I’m deeply grateful for whatever I’ve been able to accomplish.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a writer of screenplays, stage plays, and novels, I’m generally known for comedies, romantic comedies, and dramedies. Yet I’ve also written several full-on dramas including my second novel “The Mother I Never Had.” I’m proud of the range and scope of my work but also the consistency of output and, hopefully, that I’ve amused, entertained, and/or provoked thought or discussion from viewers and readers. What sets me apart is maybe the various disciplines I’ve written for and the way I’ve expanded my writing output over the years. But we’re all just trying to write the best material we can.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I’ve lived in LA for many years now (I’m originally from New York) and am a big fan of the city, despite its issues, because, really, what city doesn’t have issues? On the plus side, I enjoy LA’s wide range of neighborhoods and topography (I’m a hiker so there’s a lot of choice here), its eclecticism, and its arts culture. I’ve basically found people here friendly, if not always as chatty or direct as the New Yorkers I grew up around. The negatives: it’s expensive, traffic can be bad, and, because LA is so spread out, it can take a while to get places (see: “bad traffic!”). But all in all, I’m on Team LA.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.GaryGoldsteinLA.com
- Instagram: @garygoldsteinla
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gary.goldstein.507
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-goldstein-55746b8/
- Twitter: @garygoldsteinla
- Other: BlueSky: garygoldsteinla.bsky.social
