We were lucky to catch up with Ted Lazaris recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ted, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
Over 25 years ago, I started teaching myself how to write, one page at a time. I didn’t have a formal degree in creative writing — just a stubborn imagination, a love for storytelling, and the discipline to keep going when things got tough. Along the way, I wrote 67 titles now available on Amazon and developed scripts that have been optioned for film.
If I could have sped up the process, I would’ve leaned into feedback sooner — every critique is a stepping stone if you treat it as fuel instead of fire. The most essential skills for me were persistence, curiosity, and learning how to turn rejection into redirection.
The biggest obstacles? Doubt and patience. Doubt whispers you’re not good enough, and patience reminds you the world doesn’t move at your pace. But if you keep writing, you outlast both.
I’m proof that passion + persistence = progress. And I’m still learning every single day.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Ted Lazaris
Writer | Producer | Director | Executive
Ted Lazaris is a celebrated Writer, Producer, and Director, currently managed by the Film Co-Operative. As the author of the highly successful DragonMan series, he has penned a total of 18 best-selling novels which led him to earn the title of a #1 Amazon Best-Selling American Author.
Lazaris’ impressive repertoire in the film industry includes many writer, producer, and director credits, notably his work on the forthcoming “DragonMan: The Adventures Of Luke Starr,” which is presently in pre-production.
Despite his lifelong struggle with dyslexia, Lazaris has proven that no obstacle is too great to overcome. The learning disability posed challenges in reading, writing, and spelling throughout his school years and persists to this day. However, instead of being deterred by this condition, Lazaris adopted a step-by-step approach to his goals, never losing sight of the smaller tasks at hand for the overwhelming enormity of the bigger picture.
In his journey, Lazaris achieved the extraordinary feat of debuting his book, “DragonMan: Face Of The Unknown,” at NUMBER #1 on AMAZON KINDLE, triumphing over established authors like David Baldacci and James Patterson. This accomplishment highlights Lazaris’ tenacity and talent, displaying his knack for captivating storytelling.
In addition to being an accomplished author, Lazaris is also a respected screenwriter, motion picture producer, songwriter, and director under his banner, DragonMan Productions. His exceptional contributions to literature and the film industry garnered a Letter of Commendation from former First Lady Laura Bush.
His screenwriting credits encompass seven screenplays, all adapted from his published novels of the same names. The DragonMan series is based on these original characters and stories, bringing to life the immersive universe created by Lazaris.
He is currently managed by Nuala Quinn Barton, the CEO of Mania Entertainment, and President of The Film Co-Operative, who has aided in the development and expansion of his illustrious career. Ted Lazaris’ inspiring story and immense success in the face of adversity demonstrate his enduring determination and creativity. His contributions to the literary and film industry continue to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When I was eight years old, I survived an accident that by all accounts should have ended my story before it began. Instead, it became the moment that shaped me. I learned early that life doesn’t promise us easy roads, but it does give us the choice to keep walking them. That experience taught me resilience in its purest form — to face fear, endure pain, and still move forward. It’s the same resilience that carried me through rejection letters, late nights writing, and the uphill climb of turning ideas into books and scripts. Over 25 years later, with 67 titles on Amazon and multiple optioned films, I look back and realize that moment at eight years old wasn’t just survival — it was the start of my life as a storyteller.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is the connection — that moment when a story I’ve carried in my head and heart finally reaches someone else and sparks something in them. Whether it’s a reader escaping into one of my books, or seeing a script I’ve written catch the eye of a producer, it’s knowing that imagination turned into something real, something that lives beyond me. Stories can inspire, comfort, or even just entertain at the exact moment someone needs it — and being the one to create that bridge is the greatest reward I know.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://about.me/tedlazaris
Image Credits
https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm3222411/