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

Hi Madison, how do you think about risk?

I think of risk as a necessary evil. The truth is no one wakes up and asks themselves, “what can I do today to jeopardize my peace or my security today?” Which is exactly what risk is… Yet, everyone at some point in their life is faced with varying levels of risk. Whether by choice or from the world choosing you.. So for my own sanity I have decided to see risk as a necessary evil. I tend to only accept the risk when it’s to get me where I need to go. Though, when it comes to my craft I feel if there is no risk in what I am writing, I am writing inauthentically. Like they say, with no risk comes no reward…
Anyone who knows me, knows I like knowing what to expect in every situation. I am a planner. I am the friend who knows what the restaurant looks like before I go, the one who knows what is on the menu and what I will order before I step foot through the door.. Needless to say I have not been relaxed one day in my life..
As you may now gather, risk is generally an un-welcomed hazard in my life. So when I decided to take the plunge into full time writing, I started a subscription to Lexapro in order to get one nights worth of sleep.
But that was the woman in me, and not the artist in me.
When I write and create, my heart must skip a beat. My stomach must have a pit in it. Not necessarily a pit of anxiety, but uncertainly.. I must wonder whether I will be loved or be hated. Whether I will be famous or infamous. Though the one thing I must be certain of before my fingers hit the keyboard, is that I will spark passion, I must be sure that my words will fester intensity, on either side of the spectrum of strong emotion.. While the “civilian” in me hides from risk the artist in me needs breathes it like oxygen.
Before I took the plunge (or accepted the risk) to take on writing/screenwriting full time, I was going to law school. I had everything planned out.. that is until one fateful day (cue ominous music) I decided to risk it all and follow my dreams. I sold most of my things to start a production company, MadWoman Productions (yes, that was a shameless plug). It was wildly expensive and insanely overwhelming. It was put simply, the biggest risk I’ve taken. I had no option, but for it to succeed.
And by the way, that is the greatest place to begin. Soon after I took this risk, I realized that  it would’ve cost me far more to have stayed in my comfort zone… I have of course doubted my decision, but on many more days I am resolute.. Mostly because whether a good day or a bad day I am 100% in love with both of my inner selves and with my life, though terrifying. I am settled, through I am scared.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When I get asked what sets me apart I am quick to say my experiences, my story, or some other cliche- but as I set out on this journey of story-telling, I quickly realized that was not the case. A while back I was talking to a friend about how I dread when I tell a stranger I’m a screenwriter. Why you ask? Well because they always seem to have some “great idea for a movie” or how their life would make a “great movie.” There for a while I humored them and would ask why, and what their story was. And, I was shocked to figure out that each of their stories were similar, if not the same… some even relatively the same as mine. But, think of a school writing project. The class is given an assignment on the same topic- they create an outline, then write their paper. The reality is, the story of Ann Boleyn is the story of Ann Boleyn. So her story may be the same but each person in the class will have a different way of telling it. It is not our stories which are all that unique, it is our voice that is.

So what makes me unique is the fact there is no other Madison Bauer out there telling my stories. There is me. My telling of the story is what is unique.
I would have to say the thing I am most proud of was the moment I I received compensation for my work. You may think that sounds shallow, but to me it contained more impact that the dollar amount. It was when I felt like all my sacrifice, fear, and panic was finally worth something. It was also the moment I felt like I could confidently say I was a writer.
BUT, I am a firm believer that those who write or actively “do” their art are writers and artists. I had written for a while before ever getting compensated for it. I had been a writer and calling myself that for years. Yet for me, it was a moment I hold dear and gained an inexplainable amount of confidence.
Getting my career off the ground was anything but easy. It took everything out of me. I was broke, exhausted, and confused 99% of the time. I mean frankly, I am still most of those things, so no it was not easy, nor is it easy now. To get through these challenges I realized that in every room I am in, with fellow writers, I need every single one of those people in the room to be smarter and further along than I am. I also learned I need to shut the hell up, listen and absorb everything they say.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The places I like to eat at, or take people to for the true Nashville experience are;

EATS:
Loveless cafe, it is a down home scratch kitchen, which USA Today named as one of the 10 Great Places to get a Southern-style Biscuit. The grounds not only has the cafe but also an event venue, country store, smoke house, artisan gift shop, as well as some scattered outdoor games such as corn hole.
Pucketts in Leipers Fork, is a local hole in the wall BBQ joint with some of the best pulled pork you will have. It began as a gas station then turned into a Nashville icon. The joint is located in Leipers Fork, which has an amazingly cute downtown as well as some random festivals and events that will not disappoint to deliver the charm and small town feel most out of towners are looking for. My favorite spot to stop in in Leipers Fork is their art gallery. The owner is artsy and an amazing woman to get to know. She is usually in the gallery admiring her collection. She can give you the coolest tips and history lessons about the area.

I would also suggest to spend a half day in Franklin, it is about 20 min south of Nashville, and a larger version of Leipers Fork. 

Frothy Monkey is my favorite coffee spot to stop by. There is also a bookstore full old books. You could spend hours roaming around, smelling the old books and scouring through the different collections on display. If you are looking for a nice lunch spot, great for people watching, along with homemade pasta, you would be smart to stop in to Culaccino Italian Restaurant. While you are on an excursion outside of Nashville, to end your event with breathtaking sunset views and a locally made glass of wine, stop into Arrington Vineyards. The views are National Geographic worthy. It is a great place to bring some food and have a picnic.
If you want to hear some music, I would recommend trying to get tickets to a concert at either Bluebird cafe or the Ryman. These are smaller venues where you can get up close and personal with the artists. While you are exploring the lesser hyped Nashville, you may as well keep that going with a local favorite, and the longest running restaurant in Nashville. Midtown Cafe. The food is made fresh and truly amazing. I have traveled all over, and I have to stop in to get my chicken croquette & cheesy grits fix at least every other week. While you are there you are bound to run into local pillars of the community. Politicians, musicians, and industry veterans are all regulars.
For a day you’re looking to spend outdoors I would urge you to head over to west Nashville and check out Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. After you walk around to see the art sculptures, mansion, and flowers- you are sure to have worked up an appetite. Just a short Uber ride away is 12th South. This is the best place to go when you are visiting. The crowds are scarce and the vibe is better than imagined. With plenty of restaurants you will have no trouble finding lunch and a sweet treat. Though, if I were to pick I would go with Bar Taco. It is inexpensive and quite literally the best tacos you will ever have. The margaritas are killer too.
For a fancy dinner with skyline views, head on over to Bourbon Steak, which is located in the JW Marriott. The food is magnificent, the atmosphere is romantic and luxurious, and the views will take your breath away.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to shoutout my dear friend, Fr3der1cK with Tomorrow Pictures based out of Atlanta. He has helped me along the way by connecting me with some great people and organizations, such as Shoutout LA.

Website: https://www.mw.productions

Instagram: @MadisonBauer615@gmail.com

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/madison-bauer-559707214

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.