Actress/Writer Riley Weston

Her new book, Before I Go, and Other Writing Projects

Released September, 2006

LTK Celebrity: Before I Go is your first novel. Was the story kicking around in your head for some time, or did you make a conscious decision to write a book and develop the story from there?

Riley Weston: It actually started out as a screenplay a few years ago. Usually when I write something, the story and characters immediately leave my head. With Before I Go, the story and characters grew and deepened.

LTK: How long did the writing process take you?

RW: Before I Go took me a little under three months to complete. I’m sure my next one will take longer!

LTK: Are you generally happy with your first drafts, or do you revise, revise, revise?

RW: My happiness factor generally depends on what it is I’ve written and how passionate I am about it. With this book, I was so happy that I didn’t change much from the first draft. But trust me, there have been many scripts in the past where that wasn’t the case!

LTK: You said you wanted "Before I Go" to appeal to many demographics, young and old, but your next novel, Going Nowhere, is said to be aimed at young adults.

RW: Actually, Going Nowhere is the same demographic as Before I Go, very much women's fiction and crossing over into YA fiction.

LTK: In what ways is writing for a wide audience challenging?

RW: It can be challenging when it comes to writing about romantic relationships. How they’re handled for a young adult reader can be tricky if the novel is geared towards women of all ages. One thing I told myself never to do, though, whether writing for television, movies or novels, was to “dumb down” a storyline for a younger audience. It serves no one, especially the young adult. I think too many times we don’t give younger readers and viewers enough credit.

LTK: Is the move towards a more targeted audience for one of your next books because of anything you learned while writing your first novel, or is it simply the kind of story that you’re coming up with this time?

RW: I have so many different genres coming through my ideas, so it’s nice that at any given time, I can switch from women fiction to YA to a ‘tween/teen book series. While I’m working on Going Nowhere, I am playing with a young adult book series that’s swimming around in my head. Here’s an exclusive scoop! It’s tentatively titled Being Eleanor. There is also a YA/women fiction thriller novel I am working on called Damaged, a ‘tween/teen novel titled Wickers and a couple of women fiction/chick-lit novels too!

LTK: Are you in your book? In which character can we see you the most?

RW: I’m very much in Before I Go! The character would be Madison.

LTK: Do you hope to see Before I Go become a film?

RW: I do hope that!! I have had a few offers but I am going to see what happens. Before I Go is my own personal Rocky...

The Felicity Controversy

Weston worked as both an actor and writer on the award winning television show Felicity. Her time there ended in controversy when a fib Weston told about her age to get through the door as an actor caught up with her.

LTK: I know this is old, old news, but I have to ask…your time writing for Felicity came to an end abruptly when it was discovered that you were older than you had claimed to be. Why did you feel it was necessary to hide your true age get that job?

RW: I’m so glad you asked because no one really got the fact that I was an actor at the time. I always have been, and still am. I never hid my age to get the writing job on Felicity; I hid my age to get in the door as an actor. Suddenly I was thrown on the hottest show of the season as a writer, having never written on a show before. I was not going to stop acting and I couldn’t say I was one age as an actor and another, older age, as a writer. I had no idea there was such an unbelievable age discrepancy with writers.

LTK: Do you think the way people reacted when the truth emerged was fair – or did the reaction prove your point?

RW: I think it was blown a little out of proportion, considering this is the entertainment business. People do what they have to do to get a job, including but certainly not at all limited to lying about your age. In my case, it was lying to get in the door to auditions, not for the job. Just the opportunity. It shouldn’t matter how old someone is if they are right for that specific job, whether it’s as a writer, actor, producer, waitress, flight attendant. It shouldn’t make a difference.

LTK: Do you regret it?

RW: The one thing I do regret is the unfair publicity the people I worked with had to endure. I also feel bad for putting anyone in an awkward position, as it was never my intention to embarrass, humiliate or disgrace anyone, or any company.

Acting or Writing?

Weston has worked as both an actress and a writer.

LTK: In addition to your script and screenplay writing, you’ve also appeared in many TV shows and movies. What do you prefer – writing or acting?

RW: I have to say, it depends on what mood I’m in! I am so blessed, though, to be able to do so many “hyphens.” Like now, I am craving to be on a set as an actress since it’s been all writing for months. But while I’ve been writing, I’ve been working on my music as a singer/ songwriter which is also a really exciting outlet for me. I also do children, young adult and cartoon voice-overs which I totally enjoy!

LTK: Do you ever create a character and then think, “hmm, I’d really like to play that role”?

RW: If you were to read my stories, scripts, outlines or ideas…you would most likely find a character that is me in 99 percent everyone of them. With some of the scripts, I have had the great honor of actually playing the role I wrote for myself! One in particular is a television movie called Christmas at Water’s Edge starring Keshia Knight Pullium (from The Cosby Show) and Tom Bosley (from Happy Days). I play “K.C.” who is a troubled teenager living in a group home.

LTK: What is your favorite project with which you’ve been involved?

RW: That’s a hard one, Heather! There have been so many. My top ones: The above-mentioned Christmas at Water’s Edge since that was the first time I was able to be on a set as an actress and a writer. Felicity brought me wonderful opportunities as a writer and to watch J.J. Abrams (the creator) was magic. What About Your Friends: Weekend Getaway, which was a UPN television movie, was great because my character was completely kooky and fun. A show I am so proud of though is the musical, 2nd Wind. It ran on and off for about three years in Los Angeles. I played Lix, a teenage runaway. Every week, our charity, The Here’s to Life Foundation, would bus in troubled kids from all over. To be able to see firsthand how our work affected these kids…nothing can describe that connection and energy.

The Future

LTK: What’s next for you?

RW: There are so many exciting things! Non-book excitement first…I’m just now finishing up a television movie called The Black Widow for a major cable network…which is why it has taken me a day to respond to you! I’m also working with the producer of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days on a romantic comedy that I’m so ecstatic about. There’s about three more scripts in the forefront of my mind and another 15 ideas!

As for what is up next with books: Going Nowhere, the woman fiction book I am in the early planning stages on. Also, there’s Believe, a Christmas fiction/fantasy. And if you were to ask my eight-year-old niece what I am working on next, she would tell you I’m writing a children’s book titled, A Horse Called Rainbow. Who knows?! I just might!

More Riley Weston Information

• Riley Weston's official site
• Campfire Press – Riley Weston’s publisher
• Here’s to Life Foundation

• Celebrity Sex Tapes
• Celebrity Oops
• Celebrity Oops Pictures
• Olsen Twins
• Britney Spears

• Writer Riley Weston
• An Interview with A Piece of Pie Screenwriters
• Tina Fey
• Interview with Michele Dominguez Greene
• Anne Hathaway

• Vanessa Hudgens Slideshow
• Nicole Kidman Gallery
• Ashton Kutcher Photo Gallery