Screenwriter Michael Elias Comes Home to the Novel

I learned a lot from this conversation with Michael Elias, a prolific and skilled writer. Elias is an author, screenwriter, playwright and director. Whatever interests him, he wants to write about and, he says, “I’m an all-over-the-place guy,” That’s worked out well for him – he has had success in many places. Screenwriting credits include “Frisco Kid,” and “The Jerk” (cowritten with Steve Martin) along with many TV comedy series. His play “Catskill Sonata” was named one of 10 best plays in 2007 by the LA Times, and he was nominated for Best Director at the Cable Ace Awards for Showtime’s “Lush Life.”

With all that success, why did he switch to writing novels? “I was tired of being told what to do. I’m open to suggestions,” he explains, “just not to orders. That’s the difference between writing a novel and a screenplay.” He also appreciates the opportunity to write expansively, saying “Writing screenplays, you learn to be a minimalist. With novels, you’re a maximalist.”

Elias’ new novel “You Can Go Home Now” is a study in revenge and the reality of violence against women. A thriller written from the perspective of a female police detective, it is definitely a departure from his previous comedic writing!