Richard T. Wilson is a multi-award writer and filmmaker. He’s best known for creating his Emmy Award-winning teen drama series Maple Avenue. He’s been writing for quite awhile, and he has just released his newest book, Hemlock Ave on April 26. I had the pleasure of reading it.
He shares with me the joys and challenges of writing. Richard even talks about his favorite failure with me, for all of us have had failures, and I think we can learn from them.
Introducing Richard…
What do you love about your life right now?
Sleeping late? Seriously, my life is brand new in so many ways which I love AND find terrifying at the same time. Just switching careers from filmmaking to writing graphic novels has been a tremendous shift, and one that is happily taking root.
How long have you’ve been writing?
I started writing when I was 10 – so, that’s 50 years! Wow, that feels weird to say.
Was there anybody in particular who inspired you to become a writer?
Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol is my favorite book, and that’s all because of Richard Williams’ brilliant, animated adaptation from 1971. So, it starts with Dickens, Norman Lear of All in the Family quickly follows and then Rod Serling blows my mind with his screenplay adaptation of Planet of the Apes when I was 9. But I would be remiss if I didn’t include my cousin, Dave who was the Pastor at our local church. I watched him reach people with humor and change their lives – and that had an enormous impact on me. Dave’s passing last summer has had a great impact on me.
You’re an Emmy Award writer for the show Maple Avenue and serve as President of RTW Productions, which is home to OutreachArts, Inc. which is a nationally recognized educational film company and sister company of Mad Shelley Films. You’re also a writer of Mad Shelley Comics. I checked out your IMDB page, and that’s where I read all of this, plus you’ve had 18 wins and 22 nominations. Tell me how it feels to win so much.
It’s awesome to have the work recognized, but I still feel like I’m wearing a jacket that’s three times too big for me when I accept an award. But, honestly, it’s just wonderful to connect with an audience and have a genuine conversation.
Besides all those wins and accolades of accomplishments as a writer, director and producer, I’m sure along the way there were failures as we all have experienced them. Often the failures lead us to our success. Do you have a favorite failure?
Though I’m thrilled with how it ultimately turned out, the Under the Flowers web series found me in way over my head. I was in a tumultuous place; my parents had passed away a few years earlier. I was burnt out from OutreachArts, and I was just trying to keep my head above water. I was using my art to dig myself out of the deepest, darkest place I’d ever been – which I had no business doing. So, that was more of a personal failure where I learned a lot of hard lessons that would improve my life later.
What was your inspiration behind your horror short film, The Halloween Girl? Later, you adapted it to a comic series as well.
My Mom had passed away in 2014, a couple months after my Dad. And, once again, the only way I’d learned to cope with life’s challenges was to write about them – so that’s what I did. In writing The Halloween Girl, I was able to mourn on another level. I’m happy to say the film was a success, and last year I released the graphic novel adaptation which was also very well received.
How do you go from a film to a comic series for The Halloween Girl?
Well, I always loved old 70’s black and white horror comics so, that was an easy leap. But the real reason I moved into graphic novels was because I wanted to expand my writing and, frankly, just get back to being a storyteller.
Your latest comic series book will be out soon, which is Hemlock Avenue. I had the privilege of reading it before its release date of April 26. I enjoyed it immensely. As someone who usually sticks to memoirs and biographies, I really like the escape to another dimension when I read it. How or rather where do you come up with the stories for your books?
Oh, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I actually grew up on Hemlock Ave – 111 Hemlock Ave! When we would have to give our addresses outside of town, people thought I was making it up! Anyway, when writing, the books find me; I just write diary entries until a story appears or doesn’t.
Was there anything in particular that prompted you to write Hemlock Avenue? I know it’s book 1, so I bet you’re already writing the second one.
I’ve already got plenty of material for Book Two, yes! Actually, this is the most personal book I’ve ever written. I had started writing another Halloween Girl book, but it wasn’t coming together. So, I gave myself a writing break when, suddenly, all these stories started pouring out! These stories resulted from the therapy I’d been in the year before, no doubt. I feel very exposed, but it’s also like a giant weight has been lifted.
What do you want readers to have as their take away for it? Is there a deeper meaning for you that you want to convey? The reason I ask is that I feel you are not only wanting to entertain readers but as well maybe teach us something too.
I would just ask people to consider asking themselves the hard questions – whatever they are – and have the courage to wait around for the answers.
Is there any advice you would give to someone who wants to pursue a career in writing?
If you don’t feel like you’d shrivel up and die without writing, then writing is not for you. If you do feel passionate about writing, discover what you bring to the table – your unique voice. And that’s an adventure all by itself!
Share with me the joys and challenges of writing.
When you write something that resonates, you’re always sacrificing part of yourself. That sacrifice is a high-wire act, full of pain and joy. If you’re doing it right, you create a conversation with your readers -and then the stories belong to everyone.
If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what message would you want to convey to millions? What would it say and why?
Time is short, love one another.
Describe yourself in one word.
Storyteller
Alright, Richard, one of my favorite questions in my chats. Tell me three fun facts about you and if you want to share something daring, I say go for it.
1. I was in two garage bands as a teen. I was the singer. The band I was in with a bunch of older guys played a NYE party at an area biker bar, and at the end of the night, all Hell broke loose! I remember sitting on top of a pool table half-laughing, half scared out of my mind! (BTW, the bikers liked my Stones interpretations so, they let me live.)
2. The kids in town called me ‘Ricky Rockstar’ growing up (and I loved it!).
3. My first concert was The Stones at JFK Stadium in Philly in 1981. A bunch of us cut school to go, thinking it was their last tour. LOL!
Who are your biggest supporters?
My wife, Linda and our daughter, Jamie.
Are you currently working on anything?
The fifth Halloween Girl book I think, we’ll see. The third book comes out this fall.
I love ending the chat with a quote. Do you have a favorite quote or saying that has inspired and motivated you in your life that you can share with my readers?
From the 1970 adaptation of A Christmas Carol, the movie Scrooge: Ghost of Christmas Present: “Remember, Scrooge, time is short, and suddenly, you’re not there anymore.”
Thank you for reading my chat with Richard.
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