We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marilyn Anderson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Marilyn, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
The truth is, just being in show business is a risk! Risk #1: A few decades ago, I left my full-time job as a scientist to move to New York and go into acting. Giving up a steady paycheck for the who-knows-if-I’ll-ever-get-work-as-an-actor is a major risk. And wow, a week after I got into Big Apple, I got into a Broadway show! I sang and danced and acted – it was great fun, but the show ended after 8 performances. Not because I wasn’t wonderful – LOL – it was just a bad show. Then, after acting and doing standup comedy in NY clubs (now THAT’s a risk – hoping the audiences will laugh!), I knew I either had to take a vacation or get a job. Vacation or job? Guess which!
I took a vacation to Los Angeles, and never went back to NY. Another big risk! In LA, I started writing for TV & film. Every time you write a new spec screenplay, it’s a risk. You spend your time and energy – and your total passion – risking it all in the hopes someone will love the script and produce it! And if you’re doing it on spec, no one pays you until they option it, when you might get a nominal amount of money… or if they purchase it and produce it – then you will finally get paid. Then, you risk if it will be released, if people will like it, and if critics will give it a good review!
In addition to writing for Hollywood, I write books – and there’s another risk: hoping you can get an agent or a publisher – or these days, you can self-publish. If you are lucky enough to get a publisher – you have to hope they will get behind it and publicize it – and if you self-publish, you have a lot of work to do to get it out. And what’s more – it costs a lot of money to get it out. That’s a risk – hoping enough books will sell to not only get you back your money – but maybe make some! You’ve written your heart out – and don’t know if people will buy it. It’s all risk! But, as mentioned before, most things you do in the entertainment industry are driven by PASSION. You are compelled to do them, regardless of the risk. We are driven by our love of the process and desire for creativity and wanting to share our gifts… and in my case, laughs… with the world!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
As I mentioned previously, I didn’t start out as a writer. I have a couple of degrees in biology and physiology. But then I decided I didn’t want to be a scientist – I wanted to be a STAR! So, I quit my job, sold my car, sold my furniture, sold my boyfriend (didn’t get much for him) and moved to New York to become a star. (Well, we see how that worked out!) After a couple of years, I moved to Los Angeles and did what everyone does when they get here – I wrote a screenplay! Everyone said I’d never get anybody to read it, I’d never get an agent – but I did. The script didn’t sell then, but I got a lot of meetings from using it as a sample. It ended up being made years later as a TV movie on Lifetime.
Another screenplay of mine was optioned 8 times by different Hollywood producers but never got made. So, I finally decided “no more options.” I went out and raised the money myself and teamed up with a production company to make “How to Beat a Bully,” which is now on Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu and other platforms. It’s a “Home Alone” kind of comedy with an anti-bullying theme.
While waiting for my movies to be made, I wrote on some TV shows, including Murphy Brown, FAME, Sherman Oaks, Friday the 13th-the Series, and Carol & Company starring Carol Burnett.
Then, I also started writing plays and books. My first book was Never Kiss a Frog: A Girl’s Guide to Creatures from the Dating Swamp. It’s published in 10 countries. I recently got the rights back from the original publisher and plan to put out a new version in 2024. (Since it’s out of print, if you buy this from Amazon now, the author doesn’t get paid a nickel for it! But if anyone wants a book, contact me or go to www.neverkissafrog.com and you can get a customized, autographed copy direct from me!)
I also wrote a book with my pooch, Boomer, called MUTTweiler: An AutoDOGography. (He dogtated it to me!) Most recently I teamed up with two co-authors and we wrote a mystery-thriller novel, Dishonor Thy Father. I use a pen name on it: M.J. Richards.
The book that I’m most proud of is How to Live Like a MILLIONAIRE When You’re a Million Short. It tells readers how to save thousands of dollars every year and enrich their lives at the same time. The book has all kinds of money-saving tips in the categories of entertainment & travel, shopping & fashion, health & beauty, home décor and more. Some examples are: how to go to gala events for free; how to see Broadway and local shows for only $5 a ticket; how to get your hair done at upscale salons for free; and my favorite tip – how to spend six nights at a 4-star-resort in Spain… FOR FREE! The book has been featured in Forbes and USA Weekly and won an award as the Best Book on Saving Money & Living Well of the Year. I also do a one-woman show and speaking engagements based on How to Live Like a MILLIONAIRE When You’re a Million Short. You can check the book out on Amazon at: www.HowtoLiveLikeaMillionaire.com
Currently, since the WGA writer’s strike is finally over, I’ll be taking more of my scripts out again to pitch to Hollywood. I have a couple of movies that are supposed to go into production in 2024. A romantic comedy about a wedding, and a thriller with young people and music.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
I’m afraid I’m not as good at this as I should be. Hopefully, this article will do it! LOL. I am on Facebook quite a lot – and have many friends/followers there. I have X and Instagram accounts but unfortunately don’t use them that much. I also did a few TikTok videos for How to Live Like a MILLIONAIRE When You’re a Million Short – but haven’t followed up or reached out as much as I should. After my first book was published, I had a huge email list – but that was years ago, and most people have changed their emails since then.
When I do a new book launch, I use paid promotions along with Kindle Countdowns which have been effective in selling a lot of books. One day I sold 350 copies! I have done numerous radio shows and podcasts. However, even though the hosts tell me their audiences love me, and they invite me back – the shows never seem to result in many book sales. I love to do in-person events; it’s always gratifying and fun to get laughs and also receive tons of thanks from the audience for all my money-saving tips. Still, growing my list is something for which I can definitely use some help.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Contact Info:
Marilyn Anderson
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.anderson.3785
- https://www.facebook.com/HowToLiveLikeAMillionaire/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilyn-anderson-8795498/
- Websites:
Image Credits
Pink dress photos by Marvin Rinnig