Randy with Les Bailey
With his newest book's success ebbing, The Life and Career of Marie Osmond, the author is about to release a second celebrity sketch in his "Stars" series, on comedian Ellen DeGeneres.
Upon meeting up with Randy at his favorite Asian eatery on a beautiful Sunday morning in his home state of Utah, we hug, exchange pleasantries (I can't help but gasp that my friend has lost an enormous amount of weight--180 pounds to be exact) then we enter the establishment and take a seat.
My intention for this interview is simple--to get up close and personal with the man that inspired me to write professionally. I first met Randy seven years ago when I took his creative writing class at his Writers Studio of Utah, where I lived at the time. So much in my life has changed since then--for the better, I might add. I'm now a professional writer, living in New York City and actually making a living at a craft I'm very passionate about.
What made you decide to leave magazine writing and would you ever consider going back?
"I began to feel that I had gone as far as I could go as a writer in that genre. I loved what I was doing. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the opportunity that I was given to write for everyone of those magazines, but as you well know, a writer needs to keep growing and climb other mountains. There were other genres I wanted to work in and perfect.
One thing I've always taught my writing students is that you need to develop your talents in other genres so that you don't stagnate.
Would I ever go back to writing for magazines--I've learned to never say never. I'm very grateful for the experience and If I find something to write about I'm sure I would submit a lead into one of the editors and maybe they'd want me to do it. Who knows?"
When you announced your "Stars" book series, the tabloids seemed to attack you--was that a bad experience for you as a writer?
"It was the worst time of my freelancing career. The first names we announced were Daniel Radcliffe and Ellen DeGeneres and right from the start the tabloids went on attack. I hated waking up in the morning and turning on my computer because I knew there would be some terrible story, accusing me of saying things I never said. One tabloid accused me a saying Dan was an alcoholic and drank on the Harry Potter set. Another accused me a saying that Ellen and Portia were filing for divorce and couldn't get along. Nothing could have been further from the truth. One online rag actually said that they had an advanced copy of my Ellen book and that I had said such and such--when I hadn't even written the book yet.
Most of my friends that know me well, know of my affection for both Dan and Ellen and that I would never have written such things.
It was a terrible time for me. Even after I published my Marie title several haters began posting mean-spirited comments about it, all because of the influence of those tabloids. Was just a terrible time for me but I made it through."
I hear you're going to reopen The Writers Studio--is that true?
"I'm seriously considering it. I think there's nothing I love more than working with new writers. I've been working with Les Bailey of late. He's a spectacular author and has such a passion for his craft that he inspires me to be better at it. He came to me a while back and asked me to help with his new project, The Vampire Game--it was so amazing that I just wanted to be involved. I do some press work and oversee publicity for the project. I'm so proud of Les--his talents are so amazing and he's such a great guy. I've totally fallen in love with him. All my writer have a special place in my heart."
I recently read that you're working on a new television project about God for a British market. What can you tell me about this project?
"Not a lot, just because it's not customary to spill too many beans about TV projects. But I'm thrilled to get to work on a television project again. Especially for a British market--you know I love anything English! It's working title is God, Faith and Humanity and it's a look at how people's faith in a higher being has the power to effect mighty change in people's lives. I'm right in the middle of working on it now--I'll keep you informed about its progress."
What advice would you give a new writer that wants to get serious about his or her craft?
"Find a good writing class and get involved. I've found that when you get a group of writers in one room the synergy is nothing less than amazing. It can inspire you to new heights and lead you in the right direction. Always write about things you have a passion for. My best selling book was Losing to Win! My book where I tell my story about my weight-loss and new way of living. It was a subject that I had a serious passion for so I you could see the passion in my writing.
And never give up on your writing dreams!
The Life and career of Marie Osmond
this mirror is a painting
colored with memories
of your dying life.
In death and pain,
you see it clear,
thou these memories
are suppressed by
the blaze of unseen days.
Days that crave for smile,
but buried by the darkness
of your own.
Your dying life is still here,
impersonal and black,
this clock shows no time
for you, for your time has
stopped a long ago.
In memories of old,
you feed your tortured soul
with the same smell that
smothers your thoughts,
as your figure is terrified
to see your dying will.
The mirror has been covered
with curtain for years,
for your eyes are never going
to be able to see
this dying life within.
