Alix Maria Taulbee is an east coast born and raised actress and filmmaker. Always one who stood out in the crowd, she didn’t want to be known as one with limits. Rather, she pursued the path of the limitless and fearless. She began her journey in the entertainment industry at the young age of 9. Almost immediately, she took on leading and supporting roles of unique powerful characters in every genre for over a decade. Knowing that success only goes so far, Alix became a filmmaker while continuing to pursue her acting dreams. At age 19, Alix wrote, produced, co-directed, and acted in her first independent feature, which also starred household celebrities.
How long have you been writing and what got you started?
I have been writing ever since I was 11 years old. At first, it was only poetry and I used it as a way to cope with my older brother going to rehab. When I lost him to an accidental drug overdose 6 years later, I began writing our story. Writing was always my “hidden talent,” but when I was a grand prize winner of a National writing contest at age 18, I realized there was something there. I haven’t stop writing since that day my brother went to rehab and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. I absolutely love it.
What is the best piece of advice you have for new writers?
The best piece of advice I have for new writers is find your inspiration. Whether it is something an author wrote, their genre, or their distinct style… Once you find your inspiration, then you have a successful example to follow in your pursuit as a writer. I may not be a horror or mystery writer, but Edgar Allen Poe’s distinct style has greatly inspired me as a writer. Also, Christopher Nolan’s use of foreshadowing and how each character is connected has been a big source of inspiration as an aspiring screenwriter.
If you could go back and find yourself five years ago, what advice would you give yourself?
If I could go back and find myself five years ago, the advice I would give myself is “don’t put that down.” That could be a pen as I’m drafting out a new story or script idea. Or it could be a book I’m reading, but I got stuck on a boring chapter. There’s no greater satisfaction than accomplishing what you set out to do in the first place.
What is your favorite type of fiction and who are your favorite authors?
My favorite types of fiction are mystery and what I like to call “realistic sci-fi.” My favorites authors in these genres are Edgar Allan Poe, Philip K. Dick, and George Orwell.
What tips do you have for finding time to write?
Finding time to write can be hard, even for the best of the best. I have found that if you listen to music similar to the genre you’re writing, it’ll help you visualize the story you want to tell and you’ll make it happen.
How do you measure success when it comes to your writing?
Measuring success when it comes to my writing is a different definition for everyone. For me, it’s when someone reads my script and they are moved by it. There are times I read various poems and short stories to my friends and family without telling them I wrote it. When I see their reactions and I tell them I was the one behind the words, that’s a feeling of success I can’t measure.
How do you deal with rejections?
Dealing with rejections is the name of the game in any industry. Having the Entertainment industry be my career path for nearly 16 years has taught me to have a tough skin in an even tougher and ever-changing world. You learn to remind yourself, more times than most would think is wise, why you started in the first place. You discover most people are only in it for the benefit of themselves. You realize that it’s not always about someone being better than you. Rather, it could be a big game of “who you know” and you need to hustle, hustle, hustle! But the biggest lesson I learned when dealing with rejections is realizing success only comes so far before it’s in your hands. The voices of those who rejected you can either continue to haunt your day and night. Or they can be fuel to your fire as you prove them wrong!
In your opinion, how important is a writing degree or MFA when it comes to achieving success in writing fiction?
I used to believe the world was my classroom and that I’d succeed as an Entrepreneur who had only a drop of college education. But in my personal pursuit of getting a BFA, shortly followed by a MFA, I have realized that there is no better job security than that degree. We live in a different time than when the ancient Philosophers roamed the earth or when Philip K. Dick wrote about a not-so-distant future. I feel that a degree is extremely important when it comes to writing fiction because it shows the world who you are. Having a degree majoring in writing also ensures your voice will be heard and your words will be celebrated for generations to come.
What book(s) are you reading right now?
Recently I finished reading The Maze of Death by Philip K. Dick. Any fan of Christopher Nolan’s film Inception is sure to love that book. I’m about to begin reading The Time Machine and The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells. From there, I’ll either continue reading science fiction or change genres.
Is there anything you’d like to plug? Feel free to share a link.
My life is a never ending story. If you’d like to follow me on my behind the scenes adventures of upcoming films I’m a part of both as screenwriter and actress, follow me on Instagram under “thisisalixmaria.
My imdb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1728929/
My Facebook fan page is: https://www.facebook.com/officialalixmariataulbee
Feel free to email me at alixmariataulbee at gmail.com
Thank you for your time.
