Meet Elan Carson | Author & Comedy Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elan Carson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elan, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Without risk, there is no growth. However, I understand that with risks comes an inevitably high probability of failure. That’s inherently scary—acknowledging that not every risk taken ultimately leads to a handsome reward. It’s not like the movies, where you put yourself out there and automatically get a happily-ever-after. Instead, you can end up with heartache. However, there’s also a flip side to this: sometimes risks do amount to a gratifying reward that can be life-changing and fulfilling.

A few risks I’ve taken in my life that came with anxiety-induced, sleepless nights include making the choice to leave a technical career path in SEO that could have landed me a six-figure salary by my mid-twenties, to instead follow my dreams of being a writer. I’m glad I got off the hamster wheel of chasing money. I traded income for peace and fulfillment. Making this choice earlier on in my career eventually led me to one of the most fulfilling jobs: a Sr. Copy Editor role at Disney.

Another big risk that carried high emotional stakes was deciding how I wanted to develop and shape my writing career outside of my 9-to-5 job. I knew it would involve content creation, but I had to figure out the how—like jumping from one stone to the next over river rapids. I started slow, investing in courses to hone my voice as a writer and creator. Then, I ramped up by challenging myself to study areas I would never have imagined before, like improv.

Ultimately, I’ve never regretted taking a risk. What I have always regretted is sitting on the sidelines and not going for what I wanted.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As both a creative storyteller and a business professional, I’ve navigated a dual path of perfecting my writing skills while adapting to life in the corporate world as a copy editor. Operating within the confines of corporate settings can be tricky for artists, but for me, it was a necessity to have the economic means to pursue my passions.

My personal goal of becoming a TV writer inspires me to keep creating and pushing forward outside of my day job. Some of the wins I’m most proud of include a comedy short I recently filmed and two additional comedy scripts I wrote—one of which made it to the semi-finals of Final Draft’s Big Break Screenwriting Competition.

Writing those two new comedy scripts was daunting because I wasn’t sure I could pull off clever jokes and a cohesive plot again. I’d done it once before with a spec script for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel a couple of years ago, which also placed in competitions. But I needed to prove to myself that my first success wasn’t a one-off or a fluke.

With fellowship season approaching, I challenged myself to write two comedy scripts, as two scripts are often the standard submission requirement for fellowships. I’m proud that I stuck with it and committed to following through. The toughest part was balancing my corporate career and finding the time and energy outside of work to get them done. It required a lot of discipline and saying no to social outings for a season, but it was worth it!

Outside of screenwriting, another significant accomplishment for me was writing books in partnership with the non-profit organization Chapter One. Their mission is to champion global literacy by making books free and accessible to children worldwide.

I had the honor of writing four books for them, which was deeply meaningful to me as a tribute to my late grandmother, who taught me to read at a young age. Being part of this project allowed me to pay it forward by exposing children to stories and encouraging a love of reading early on. I hope my contribution helps inspire future generations and fosters a lifelong passion for storytelling.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Exploring the city brings me the greatest joy, especially with the rich cultural experiences Los Angeles has to offer.

For incredible food, my first stop is The Grand Central Market downtown. The space is always buzzing with an electric vibrancy—full of people, culture, and diverse cuisines.

Seeing a show at The Groundlings is another must-do. I try to catch a performance once a week, and watching the performers work their improv magic feels like witnessing a live wizardry show.

When it’s time for dancing, The Short Stop is one of my favorite local dives. I’ve never had a bad time there—throwing my hands in the air and letting loose for a few hours is always a blast.

If there’s a community play at The Hudson Theatre, that’s my next stop. It’s an intimate space with a carefully curated selection of performances that are chef’s kiss.

For cocktails, Arden in West Hollywood is my girly go-to spot. If the mood is more gender-neutral, Andy’s in WeHo is all about the vibes. Just be sure to make reservations—there’s always a line!

For coffee, Kitsune on Sunset in the east side is a perfect spot for delicious flavors, plus the owner is incredibly kind.

If there’s time, Disneyland is a must, as is a trip to Malibu. I love driving the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica to Malibu—it’s the perfect way to enjoy the coastal views.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve been fortunate to have an incredibly amazing support system cheering me on every step of the way. My biggest fan has always been my mom. She even joins me in creating comedy TikToks now and loves being involved in many of the projects I take on because she knows how much her support means to me.

Another huge supporter of mine is my current boss at Disney, George McClements. He advocates for me in rooms where I’m not even present. This has been especially significant to me as a woman of color and someone who requires healthcare accommodations. Climbing the corporate ladder as a person of color with an invisible disability is challenging enough, and it would be nearly impossible without someone to help steady the ladder. I can’t reach the top of my creative goals without the stability and support of allies who make the climb possible. I appreciate George more than he probably realizes.

Website: https://www.elanmcarson.com

Instagram: @ElanMCarson

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elanmcarson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriterElanCarson/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ComedyBarbs

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@elanmariecomedy