By L. Rosenberg
PURIST: Let’s talk about your book, Climbing in Heels. It’s cleverly written—a historical fiction novel of three colorful young women, bursting through Hollywood’s triple-bolted men’s club door. What was the impetus behind writing it?
Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas: I wanted to write a fictional novel that was based in fact, because so often people ask me, “What was it like?” or “How did you get where you are?” And it’s only when I stopped and looked back that I remembered the treacherous climb.
PURIST: You’re already working on your next high-profile project, Office Romance, with your business partner and best friend, Jennifer Lopez. That same energy and focus—your characters have it, too. Where does your drive come from?
EGT: I don’t believe the adage, “You only live once.” I believe you only die once. So why not take every opportunity to live your best life every day? If you want to just do one thing your whole life, God bless you. But if you want to do more, go for it. Don’t waste your time limiting yourself to what other people expect you to be. I think I have always been a writer, but that didn’t stop me from being an agent who became a producer. I would be very sad if I lived by the edict of what other people thought was right for me. Passions change. Lives change. Don’t be afraid to change direction. Life is about the pivot. There are no limits to opportunity. The only thing stopping you is you.
PURIST: This magazine promotes wellness. When readers encounter these characters—flawed, struggling, human—what do you hope they take away?
EGT: I think it’s unrealistic to believe someone is born with complete happiness and no trauma—even unintentional trauma. We build our own armor to protect ourselves from the insults of life. The reality is learning to embrace yourself, flaws and all. Sometimes, the flaws you’re most afraid to show become your strengths.
PURIST: When I worked for you, I watched you negotiate Erin Brockovich and My Best Friend’s Wedding, breaking glass ceilings. Julia Roberts became the highest-paid actress in the world. You made Hollywood history and forever changed the landscape for women in Hollywood. Your heroine, Beanie Rosen, never takes no for an answer—reminding me so much of you. Were the lessons from her father, Harry, drawn from your own father?
EGT: There is a little of Beanie in me, truth be told. Harry Rosen in the book is an insurance salesman, and so was my father. My father believed in what he sold. It was never a story or a gimmick, or a lie. He believed you should get to know the person you were selling to, because if you could find an overlap—and he said there are always overlaps with good people—then you could connect and convert a no into a yes. If you could connect, you could sell. My father was the salesman. My mother was the scorekeeper. I became a product of both.
PURIST: Looking back at your career, what advice would you give your younger self?
EGT: Something my father used to say to me: “Everything’s gonna be OK.” The time you spend worrying and second-guessing and kicking yourself—it’s such a waste. Everything is going to be OK.