Meet Waide Riddle | Author & Writer

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

Hi Waide, do you have a budget?
I am now 61. Money, personal wealth, finances, and daily budgeting have become more important than ever. As I age, I realize my health and wealth, are the most important factors in my life. I’m on SSI for a spinal injury I sustained in 2013. I’ll begin drawing my social security next year. These ‘points’ play a role in constant budgeting and being aware of my future and plans. It’s important to always have a plan as you age. Thankfully, I have a wonderful relationship with my bank, the SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union, which I’ve been a member of for over 20 years. The staff and Vice President have been constant mentors through thick and thin. I’m very grateful. I have also been a member of the Actors Federal Credit Union and listened to their advisors and staff closely throughout the years. I have been guided by Jerry Jones of the Raymond James Group Private Wealth Management in Colorado Springs. Jerry has been mentoring me for 30 years. It is so important to have advisors who help you lock your finances down and have a grounded home for your wealth no matter how wealthy or non-wealthy you may think you are. I also receive financial advice from portfolio manager Connor Coman from TransAmerica Advisors in Memphis. With all of this financial help, guidance, and advice, I’m in good hands as I age. In short, now is the time to HAVE A FINANCIAL PLAN!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a writer, first and foremost.
I won my first award in journalism at age 12 for writing movie reviews for my junior high newspaper at Northbrook Junior High. I am very proud of my Northbrook years in junior and high school. As difficult as it was, it made me and inspired my writing.
This year has been a great year for my poetry. Three of my poems were published in Spillswords Poetry Journal (UK), “Washington Park,” “Beautiful Blue,” and “The Power Of Summer!” My short story, “Wicked Willows,” was published in The Andromeda science-fiction journal (UK) and also won Best Short Fantasy by the editors. The biggest challenge? Finding the time and space to write. There’s a lot of ‘stuff’ always rolling around in my head.

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.
Great question! Let’s start with Toluca Lake, the affluent neighborhood tucked between Universal City and Burbank. Toluca Village has wonderful cafes, restaurants, boutiques, and theatres, and it’s all walkable!
Then, it’s off to Culver City. In my opinion, it’s the best-kept secret in all of Los Angeles. The Original Hollywood! Downtown Culver City is thriving and is home to the best steak house in Southern Cali, The Grand Casino.
Newcomers can check out the Historic Culver City Hotel Landmark. If you’re in the mood to exercise, the Ballona Bike and Walking Trail outlines the city and is a perfect 6-mile walk. The Village Well Books and Coffee is in the center of town, ‘woman-owned’ (make sure you say ‘Hi’ to Jennifer!), and is one of the most successful small businesses in Los Angeles. Grab a coffee, sandwich, pastry, a book and relax for hours.
Culver City is all walkable! If you want, we’ll jump on the Culver City Green Line, and within minutes, we pass through Mar Vista and stop at Venice Beach, and stroll the world-famous Boardwalk.
On the return trip on the CC Green Line, we’ll stop and have some homemade ice cream at Ginger’s Divine Ice Cream! It’s Pure Heaven!
The next day, we’ll hit The Grove-L.A. and enjoy an appetizer and drink at The Marmalade Cafe.
If you’re not too exhausted, we’ll even go to West Hollywood and check out the club scene and Boystown. Be prepared to dance, and dance, and dance!
Up on Palms Dr., just south of Sunset Blvd., we’ll visit the Rock & Roll clubs, then relax to a chill breakfast or lunch at the Dialog Cafe. Dialog Cafe is ‘the’ place to hang out and people-watch.
Finally, there’s the Golden Triangle of Beverly Hills. It’s a must! Enjoy luxury and the ultra-fine things in life at Neiman Marcus, Saks 5th Ave., The Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Rodeo Drive, and the Beverly Hills Park.
I promise you, it will all be worth it.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I admire and respect the work and business ethics of Brian Veskosky and his partner, Jim, who own and operate the Toluca Lake eatery, RedMaple.
Jay Krymis is an outstanding business leader in tavern and bar ownership in Los Angeles. Jay is also a multi-award-winning actor who trains with the best and is on the verge of superstardom! Remember his name.
The professional prowess and diligence of Petros Fanourgiakis and his wife Dimitra who own Aegean Delights in the Castro of San Francisco. Aegean Delights is a Greek wonderland of fine Turkish coffees, teas, jams, sweets, and exotic gifts.
All of these business owners survived the pandemic. That’s inspiring!

Website: http://www.amazon.com/author/waideriddle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waideriddle/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waide-riddle-63b594227/

Other: riddlewaide@gmail.com

Image Credits
Photography by John Skalicky
Paperback Artwork by Jorge Velasquez