About Me:
Well, let’s see, what do you want to know? This is my web page so something or someone led you here. And since this page is focused mostly on my new book, I suppose you want to know my background for writing it?
I first learned I had a talent for writing in ninth grade when I wrote an essay for a contest that was forwarded to the Cleveland School Board and, according to my English teacher, caused “the shit to hit the fan.” That essay made me an honorary member of student council for the rest of the year.
In tenth grade, I won a scholarship to the College of Wooster Summer Writing Camp. Soon after, I got a comedy column in the school newspaper. Then I became the editor-in-chief my senior year, when the paper won a citywide excellence award. Although I loved to write and have kept a journal since that tenth grade year, I didn’t pursue a career in writing. Writing did, however, pay for my college education and expenses.
I finally woke up and realized I was ignoring my dreams at age 27. So I attended Columbia College in Chicago to study screenwriting. Soon after, I placed in the semi-finals of the Chesterfield Film Co Writer’s Film Project–one of the most prestigious and competitive screenwriting contest in the country–originally started by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment and later run by Paramount Pictures. Not only had I done well in that contest, but I also had a two Hollywood producers (referred by my screenwriting prof) vying to purchase my script. I had a very highly respected Entertainment attorney in Century City, who repped some of the biggest screenwriters in the country, helping me pro-bono and referring me to agents. My script received “recommend” coverage from William Morris and CAA. I’d even flown to L.A. and had a meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills with an agent from Broder-Kurland.
Writing seemed to always lead to great things. I wrote another script and the same producers wanted to purchase it as well. Shortly after flying out for a meeting with the producers in Burbank, I decided to move to L.A. to follow my bliss and become a Hollywood screenwriter.
It took a bit of time, but within a year I had a manager and an agent. Next thing I knew I was in meetings at every major studio. I was pitching. I was rewriting draft after draft. I was reading screenplays and writing evaluations. I was being interviewed for writing jobs. I was signing contracts relating to my fees, percentages, buyouts, backend money and rights. And I was sitting at parties hobnobbing with TV, movie and music stars.
About My Book:
My book is about how it all went to shit.
Seriously. As my mom would say, “It all went to hell in a hand-basket.” But it’s not just about how it went wrong, but why and what I learned from it all. It is what I wish I knew before I’d moved here. And to make it even more interesting and convincing, I interviewed about a dozen very successful Hollywood players–writers, comedians, actors, singers, producers, directors, and even stars and got them to share the hardest lessons they learned on their road to success as well. They even share insights into what to do after you make it to ensure you don’t fall off
It’s about who lies and why. It’s about where the pitfalls are hiding. It’s about how to protect yourself. It’s about life behind the Hollywood sign. It’s about what no one ever told me in any class. It’s about the day-to-day hustle and grind in a town that lives on hope and dreams. It’s about the struggle left on the cutting room floor whenever people interview stars. It’s about why even successful people get on drugs and ruin their lives. It’s about the game of selling human artistic expression and how artists are the most vulnerable to getting hurt.
It’s a book about seeing Hollywood with your eyes wide open so you can better navigate and understand what’s really going on. It’s about adding reality to your hope. And ultimately, it’s about following dreams courageously and wisely.
And did I mention it’s loads of laughs to boot?
Why just take my word for it? Here’s what other folk are saying about it:
Click the link to see the Amazon review page.
Barnes and Noble Book Maven Review
Click the link to see the Barnes and Noble Book Maven Review
Or just read the quotes I pulled from the reviews here:
“The fact that Locke manages to teach deep, helpful truths on this emotional roller coaster while at times being laugh-out-loud funny is a testament to his skill as a writer….
It should be required reading for every performing arts program in the country. It is required reading for anyone looking to learn more about Hollywood before they go (or before they give up on their dreams and leave). For those with no Hollywood aspirations, this book satisfies on a literary level and reminds us that dreams of any kind are worth the struggle. 5 Stars”
—Barnes and Noble Book Maven Review
“Personally, I have absolutely no desire to go to Hollywood, but even so, I LOVED this book! T.R. Locke is an amazing observer of human behavior and psychology, including unpacking his own choices with phenomenal insight as well as a terrific sense of humor. Locke poignantly displays the more universal truth that when we are centered and wise, we can thrive even in the ego hurricane that is Hollywood. His insider views on the norms of the Hollywood culture are extremely helpful for those whose bliss leads them to Hollywood, but the information is packaged in such an intriguing and at times hysterically funny way, that it is a pleasure to read for anyone. I will be buying multiple copies to share with friends and with my therapy clients, as well as for donation to my school of the arts high school alma mater. Well done, Mr. Locke! Thank you so much for this entirely enjoyable and immanently practical work. “
–Tiffany L. Craig, MS, NCC, LCPC (Maryland)
(Therapist)
www.cckidz.com
www.continuumcounseling.org
“Mr. Locke definitely has valid insight into the entertainment capital. His testimonies reflecting on a dreamer’s journey are both honest and noteworthy. A few laugh out loud moments gave me several reasons to continue to turn the page. I am strongly suggesting that all artist who are thinking about relocating to the Los Angeles area consider reading this account of what it is truly like to move away from family and friends, follow your dreams and quickly discover that talent has nothing to do with being discovered in a town that has a plethora of amazing writers, actors, producers, musicians etc.”
–Tarsha L. Proctor (Los Angeles)
“Locke doesn’t come off as someone trying to elicit sympathy or to simply make money off his pain or his proximity to fame. Nor did he seem like a frustrated screenwriter trying to make a name for himself by writing a book about his frustration. Neither is Locke’s book a cynical warning to those who might be foolish enough to go after their dreams in Hollywood. Rather, Locke comes off as an artist who is still engaged in the battle and who wants to arm those like himself who might want to engage in their own battle. His message seems to be, “don’t be afraid to come – but here are the weapons you’ll need for more than just a battle – but for a long, drawn out war that will be fought on all fronts and with every ounce of your strength, patience, and wit…and these are the types of situations and people you will be at war with and against – just be ready….
The entertainment value of the stories alone were worth the price of this book. I laughed out loud several times when reading it and I read it in just two sittings over the course of two days. And whether or not I do as Mr. Locke and follow my bliss to Hollywood, this book was completely worth it.”
–J Truillo (N.Y, N.Y)
Please order your copy today at Amazon or Barnes and Noble if you haven’t already. You can get an signed copy if you want by ordering here on this site. Just be sure to select whether you want the hard cover or the paperback by clicking the drop down menu next to the price. The orders are handled securely by Pay Pal.
Thanks for reading.
