Meet Paul Chitlik | Screenwriter & novelist

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

Hi Paul, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
There are many creative and intelligent people out there with some great ideas and talent. It’s a very hard and long road to make it as a screenwriter. Yes, you have to work hard at it, and, yes, you have to have the ability. And there’s a lot of luck involved. But unless you have persistence, you’re not going to make it. Unless you can deal with rejection, you’re not going to make it. You have to constantly press on, even after having successes, because one success does not make a career. Nor does one failure signal it’s time to pull out. Persistence.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Writing is a tough way to make a living. Writing for television and film is even tougher. But it’s great to see your words come alive with the efforts of hundreds of people. The road to my television career was winding and long. I started out writing short stories and poetry – my first published work is a poem in Spanish when I was living in Spain. Then there was a short story, and another, and another in English. The pay was non-existent or low, so I had to work as a stock boy in a delicatessen, a baker, a house cleaner, a house painter, and a translator. Then I began publishing articles in local newspapers and got a job with a news agency while I was living in London. On my return to the States, I had to work again as a temporary secretary, a translator, and, finally, an ESL instructor and administrator. One day, a little voice in my head reminded me that this was not the plan, so I saved up some money, quit my well paying job, and started writing scripts. Didn’t find work for two years. It was tough, but eventually rewarding. When my opportunities diminished, I began teaching at UCLA and, eventually, Loyola Marymount University. I found this very rewarding and wrote two screenwriting books (a third is coming out in the fall of 2025). Along the way, I wrote several novels, and after I retired from teaching, wrote another. The latest one, “Lies, All Lies,” is a positive answer to how people can change their lives if they want to and become the person they always wanted to be.

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.
I’d start off with dinner at the Local Peasant on Ventura in Sherman Oaks. We might go to the Getty Museum if there’s a late night band playing. The art and views are incredible. In the morning, we’d go for a hike at one of the trails off Mulholland Drive, then go for lunch at Gasolina on Ventura in Woodland Hills. In the afternoon, a visit to Descanso Gardens or The Huntington Museum’s gardens. If it’s summer, we’d go to a concert at the Hollywood Bowl or the Greek Theater, preferably the Bowl with a picnic dinner. Sunday morning we’d go to El Mercado on First Street in East L.A. Music and food. A trip to the downtown main library would be great, and a visit to some memorable buildings in the center would be good. One of my favorites is the Bradbury Building where some of the original Blade Runner was filmed. While we’re close, I’d take people to the Watts Towers to see the amazing folk art there. And there’s no visit to LA without a visit to the beach, and there are miles to choose from. I’d choose the very touristy Venice beach just for the people watching. If you want a quieter retreat near the beach, the Annenberg Community Beach House is the place to go. There’s a pool, changing rooms, and sun.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to recognize my mentors, Juan Goytisolo and Natan Zach. Goytisolo, a best selling Spanish novelist, guided me in grad school and encouraged me to find my own path in writing. Natan Zach, one of Israel’s best known poets, counseled me during my London years. And my brother, Robert Reed, helped me from time to time on a practical level, as I helped him. Never underestimate the power of brotherhood.

Website: https://paulchitlik.com

Instagram: @paulchitlik

Linkedin: Paul Chitlik

Twitter: @Paulchitlik

Other: Find my latest book at Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Lies-All-Paul-Chitlik-ebook/dp/B0CV8NQCRZ/ref=sr_1_2?crid=FCWWNGVXY40W&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xDRds7zlLxztkPDv4HW7gf1bJ2Kn7s8ixU2PY3BxmU5hXGk-D3IBj3dvyVP9wKJ04pmpgSNYNNfg7IeRiBvydTQuAcuiJ94_ywIbdfIgpE4PlUgarvnhdGcZDnzDYj6EqY6_bYxAfIEHUcXkAJQG7iBEDKNvO3MRTGA-bBKHlZ3tf7hXnmjxFA_VIXghIMjgwP55WRr02_atWB7TWnVBBnrYNaStXLoQP-U6SLbEvCw.oGtl47K47z-6B0yaZRGyH-FQ6NuzXlnIljOpvSmko7I&dib_tag=se&keywords=paul+chitlik&qid=1728379062&sprefix=paul+chitlik%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-2

Image Credits
Photo of Melrose Ave, by Paul Chitlik
Photo of Story Academy, by Story Academy, Sweden