From guarding lighting gear in Queens to winning Emmys and writing novels, Neil Laird’s ‘poor schlub’ origins are the ultimate reminder that where you start isn’t where you have to stay.
Neil’s ‘total sea change’ happened in the New York Public Library, where he went regularly to pass time for free – and for the air conditioning – and discovered a book on Neolithic man. That ‘seminal moment’ transformed his life, leading to a 30-year career producing over 1,000 hours of television and his latest chapter as a novelist starting at age 50.
On episode 143 of the Creativity Found podcast Neil shares his journey from a small steel town in Pennsylvania to directing documentaries for the Discovery Channel and National Geographic, and eventually finding the courage to self-publish his own novels at the age of 50.
Neil tells how he came up with the idea for his Prime Time Travelers series of novels, and offers inspiring advice for adults looking to reignite their own passions.
Finding Inspiration in the Unexpected: Neil recounts how a period of unemployment led him to the New York Public Library, where a chance encounter with a book on ancient history completely shifted his creative trajectory and led to his first documentary on the Great Sphinx.
The Midlife Creative Shift: Turning 50 served as a catalyst for Neil to explore fiction. Inspired by the fearless innovation of David Bowie, he decided to move beyond the constraints of documentary filmmaking to imagine historical worlds with a fresh coat of paint.
Blending Expertise with Satire: After struggling to find an agent for a traditional historical novel, Neil found his unique voice by blending his professional background with fiction in his Prime Time Travelers series – a satirical look at a film crew messing up history.
The Power of Creative Independence: Neil discusses his decision to self-publish, allowing him to maintain creative control over his characters and storylines, including diverse and LGBTQ+ representation that might have been lost in traditional publishing.
Advice for Aspiring Creatives: Neil emphasises the importance of starting now, surrounding yourself with cheerleaders rather than naysayers, and not being afraid of the inevitable first draft being a load of rubbish.
Listen here, or find this and many more episodes on your favourite podcast app.
