This week, TheLatinoAuthor.com is featuring Rick Najera, an award-winning writer-performer-director-producer, author and comedian with credits in film, television, theatre and Broadway. He is undeniably one of the most sought-after and influential talents in the entertainment industry. His accolades are numerous. The Writers Guild of America lists: “Poet and producer, actor and comedian, award-winning TV writer, denizen of the Latin quarter, Hollywood Hills and Great White Way, Rick Najera is the embodiment of diversity.”
Give us a little bit about your background such as where you grew up, where you currently reside, or anything that you would like to share with our readers?
I was born in San Diego, California. I grew up on the border so I have that border as a part of me, but I believe a border should be something that we share not something that separates us.
I read in your book Almost White: Forced Confessions of a Latino in Hollywood that Whoopi Goldberg had suggested you follow the path of writing because you were really good at this. Was this a defining moment for you where you really knew it was going to be your profession, or had you already thought about taking this path?
I never saw myself as a writer. Even now I don’t. I had this image of writers and to me I did not fit that image. I had dyslexia and was held back in elementary school, which is ironic because I have spoken at Harvard and Stanford. But I was a poor student. It wasn’t just Whoopie, but John Welles, Ex President of WGA also encouraged me to write. I was stubborn though and I was determined not to write.
Today you are known as an award winning writer, director, producer, and also actor with many credits in theater, television, and Broadway. How has this defined you today and is this something you saw possible growing up?
Those are just titles and jobs I have done in the past. I really just focus on what I’m doing now?
Being a talent in several arena has to be exhausting. How have you managed to do this shuffling of professions and yet remain true to yourself and your goals?
I write my goals down every day and concentrate on achieving them; though, I need to enjoy the journey more because I can be too driven as well.
You’ve had the privilege of working with some of the “greats” in Hollywood. Can you tell us about some of the challenges and difficulties working in a predominantly “Anglo-driven” environment and also as a Latino?
It’s not easy because prejudice is subtle and most people don’t want to admit it exists, but I realize I have to be ten times better to get any notice whatsoever. I just work that much harder.
In your book Almost White: Forced Confessions of a Latino in Hollywood, you use comedy to talk about your life and Hollywood to get your message across to your readers. I really enjoyed the style and it made it that much more enjoyable. Is this a style that comes easy to you or do you have to work at it?
It’s who I am. I was born looking at life that way. It seems easy to me so I don’t feel I deserve credit for it because it’s a natural thing. I’m a better scribe than writer I say. I really strive to listen to a voice and write it down.
What is the message that you want your readers to focus on as they read your book?
Love life and enjoy the ride! Live like you are dying!
Getting into the writing profession and the Hollywood scene has some challenges, but still it has to be rewarding. What kind of advice do you have for persons wanting to follow this same path and would you do it again if you had the choice?
Yes. I would say don’t wait to start a writing career. Write and call yourself a writer. Let the rest of the world decide if you’re a great writer or not. Your job is to just write because perfection can get in the way of writing.
What are some of the difficulties you’ve experienced in writing comedy? How different is this from other forms of writing?
Comedy is genetic. This can only be taught by doing it over and over.
You’ve been named as one of the ’50 Most Influential in Hollywood’ by Variety, and you were also named ‘Best Writer’ for the feature film “Nothing Like the Holidays” during the ALMA Awards. These are great accolades, but where do you see yourself going in the next 5 years from a writing perspective?
Writing more books and more often on a goat ranch by a fireplace alongside my family.
In reading your book, I found that there is still a long way to go before Latinos will be in the forefront of being selected to writing more scripts for top notch movies and programs. What do you think it will take to change this?
More writers!
You’ve achieved great success in your career. Do you attain this on tenacity, people, or just luck, or all three? Please elaborate.
Mostly tenacity and constantly striving toward a goal and not looking back.
When it’s all said and done, what legacy do you want your writing to have on society? Latinos and non Latinos.
TO HAVE TOLD THE TRUTH AND BEEN KIND TO ALL I HAVE EVER MET.
If you could give one sound technical writing advice to our readers, what would that be?
Don’t try to be perfect. Try to be a writer volume and sift through the words to find the gold.
Can you tell us about any upcoming projects that are in the near future?
Najera in America. This is a pilot I just shot, and another book and more chances to speak and write.
Contact: Rick Najera
