Guinevere Turner is currently writing for and acting in The L Word; she has also had numerous roles in films like Go Fish, Chasing Amy, Dogma, and American Pyscho (which she also wrote). She talks to us about the The L Word, her career, and what she'd like to do down the road.

AfterEllen.com What's the most challenging aspect of writing for and acting in The L Word?
Guinevere Turner: Really, I think the hardest part is the stress of when it comes out and worrying if it will get good reviews and if people will like it. And all the invariable criticism that will come from the lesbian community. Be nice, everyone! It's hard work!

AE: Who is your character in The L Word, and how does she fit in with the main characters on the show?
GT: I can't tell you much about her, because that would be giving away plot stuff. Her name is Gabby. She used to date one of the main characters. That's all I can tell you!

AE: There has never been a TV series like The L Word before about lesbians; does this make it harder or easier to write for? What do you do to try and keep the storylines and dialogue feeling authentic?
GT: On the one hand, easier, because there's not a lot that we can be accused of stealing from, content-wise. On the other hand, harder because of the pressure to make it good and make lesbian and non-lesbians alike like it so it can be on for a season or two or three. To keep the dialogue and story authentic I personally talk to a lot of dykes whenever I can about what they expect, want to see, etc.

And as far as storylines--they almost all come from one of the writer's personal experience, or a friend's, or ex-lovers...or some amalgam of the three.

AE: How will sex be portrayed on the show? How is it different writing those scenes versus other ones?
GT: Sex will be sexy, hopefully! And you know, the network's motto is, after all, "No Limits" - so...there is plenty of sex on the show. Writing those scenes is hard, because you want it to be original and sexy, but knowing that the other people on the writing team and the actors will read how you describe it on the page always makes me feel a little shy. I get over it, but sometimes I stop and think "Wait, can I write this?"

Also, I work with my friend Rose Troche, and we are not afraid to make fun of each other, so there's that.