Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Foreman.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m a kid from Louisiana. I was born and raised in a town of 2,000 people. My high school was literally a re-purposed Civil War hospital. I read and wrote a lot, but no one I had ever met made a living as a writer. I never conceived of it as a real career. So, I went to college, studied Philosophy, studied abroad in Germany, and then made some “sensible” decisions. I worked in sales and marketing for tech startup companies. Not able to let go of my passion, I worked on my first novel every night for years. During that time, I got really into the improv comedy scene in Austin, New Orleans, and Houston. I still have yet to live in a place for more than three years for my entire adult life.
Finally, things clicked, and I made my way west to Los Angeles. I quit my 9 to 5 and started writing and doing comedy full-time.
The pandemic set into motion something that had been building for years. I launched my business, based on everything I had learned while trying to become a storyteller with no guidance. I give people the tools, confidence, and ghostwriting to bring their stories into the world.
One of my clients, for example, is a therapist from Utah that wants to destigmatize therapy. Together, we created a podcast, which has become the #12 podcast in mental health with thousands of downloads.
On my own time, I’ve written books, pilots, performed and written at The Groundlings Theater (writing lab), short stories, and articles. All in service of the mission to tell better stories. And, doing what I didn’t know was possible as a kid–writing for a living.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Good question! It can be dangerous to romanticize failure, but if you’re paying attention, failure has more to say than the successes.
For years, I had no idea what made a writer good or bad. It didn’t help that neither successful nor unsuccessful writers seemed to know either. Was it just luck? Talent? Did I have it?
It can be learned, but it is incredibly difficult to put into words. And I know that I am learning more all the time! I have come far enough to realize that if you truly want it, you can have it. Most people never even get to the point where they know whether they truly want it!
Specifically, I have been rejected by publishers more times than I can count. I have been fired, dumped, and ignored.
That’s the trick, though. We don’t know what the hell we are doing when we start out, so we stumble towards some north star. It’s probably wrong–what the hell do we know! But when you get closer, you can pick a slightly better star. Rise and repeat! Sure, it would have been easier to take the direct route, but that’s hindsight. You needed the stumbles.
In that way, I regret nothing. At every point, I was working with what I knew. What’s the point of looking back with what I know now?
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Simply, I do freelance ghostwriting.
I think of it as more of a spiritual partnership, though! I like to work really closely with clients and help them figure out how to tell their story the way they want it told!
I am selective about new clients and say no to about 95% of people who inquire. I need it to be a good match. The clients I do keep are all good friends and long-term!
What isn’t as important to me is the format. Pilots, screenplays, books, podcasts, bedtime stories–they are all just stories and the format just dictates the audience. Always know your audience, and know what you want to say. I help clarify that in my clients.
I’m really proud of my clients! I love seeing them succeed!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Oh yeah. I have had so many people along the way that have helped me and just prevented me from crashing and burning.
My friends in college, who were my first “chosen family.” My professors, who introduced me to the world of philosophy and thought, and particularly Dr. Rocha, who was really influential on my thinking.
I’ve made life-long creative friends in improv. I still write and speak to many of them, and they are the reason I love to be in this world.
My brothers, who picked me up and dusted me off after my first big break-up. I couldn’t have made it without them.
My mentor at the Groundlings, who believed in me and showed me that I could perform on stage, even when I wasn’t sure I could. I don’t know if she would want me to name her, but she would know if she sees this! Thank you!
Pricing:
- Long-term Partnership Discount – $800 a month
- Hourly – $50 an hour
Contact Info:
- Address: 320 S Occidental Blvd
- Website: taylorforeman.com
- Phone: 2257210507
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @jtaylorforeman
- Twitter: @jtaylorforeman
- Other: https://medium.com/@foremanjamestaylor
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