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

Hi Tempany, how does your business help the community?
Plenty of people dream of writing a novel when they’re young, but it’s not practical. They have to get careers that financially support themselves and their families. So they veer off into traditional professions, but that itchy feeling they missed out persists. My online series of videos allows them to try the dream with no risk. It’s not the financial burden of an MFA or taking time off from work to get a novel written. They can do it all while still in their jobs and living their lives, and all for a very low cost. I used to charge a big chunk of money, but then Covid happened and I dropped it to $99. I should put it back up, but now I see it as a public service. I like that everyone can afford to do it. If you feel pulled to write a novel, you deserve to give it a shot!

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.
I have continually attempted careers I was told not to and always succeeded. If someone tells you it’s impossible, ignore them. I don’t have a traditional education in novel writing but my early acting career helped me understand I never learned how to do anything until I was actually doing it. Education is great, but it’s in the doing where you develop. My novel writing classes are all based on this: I teach at UCLA Extension and privately and that’s the ethos; do the work and begin to discover what kind of writer you are. You can research, read and talk till you’re blue in the face, but it’s only once you’re in the work, whether it be as a performer, novelist or any profession, you actually learn. I’m teaching a Novel Recovery Course at the Chautauqua Institute in New York this Summer and the students will be writing every second I’m with them. For those who can’t catch my in person classes, you can buy my video course online. There’s something for everyone because everyone deserves artistic support. I teach so many doctors, lawyers, and journalists how to write a novel – they were born to do it but someone along the way told them they couldn’t. But If you feel compelled, there is a reason and I’ll help you discover the writer inside.

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.
Los Angeles is such an odd city – you can really find anything to float your boat. But the Eastside really has my heart. Breakfast at Spoke Cafe in Frogtown along with a bike ride by the river is fab. Catch a movie at the Los Feliz Three for art house celluloid joy along with dinner at Cafe Figaro down the street. And Echo Park’s Sunset Strip has the best icecream, vintage shopping and stellar burgers at Low Boy. Donna’s for Italian is incredible but get a reservation – it’s always packed. I go to the Hollywood Bowl over the Summer to watch concerts – a total must. Who doesn’t want to watch Jaws with the LA Symphony playing the score while the stars sparkle above you?

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’ve had a lot of great friends and mentors in my life. Martin McDonagh, the amazing playwright and filmmaker, inspired me in my early twenties to pivot from writing what ‘sells’ to writing what I wanted. It took a lot of courage to pivot from writing for kids to adults, but I did and I’ve never looked back. Martin didn’t come from a traditional education and his success helped me feel confident I could achieve anything on my own terms. My dear friend, Annie Armstrong, utilized her life skills into being an amazing therapist. I realized all my previous careers and talents have all bundled together to make me a novelist. All these talented people around me took unusual paths to arrive at their success and we all have a common goal – to help society get healthier, more creative and productive. Ruth Ozeki’s novels are also a huge source of inspiration to me creatively and personally. Without her influence I would not be the writer I am today.

Website: https://www.writeanovelchangeyourlife.com

Instagram: @TempanyDeckert

Other: https://www.tempanydeckertdonovan.com

Image Credits
Brett Richards Photography

India Dupre Photography

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