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AE: You are writing and appearing in several episodes of The L Word, and you've written and acted in numerous films; do you have a preference between writing and acting, and/or between TV and film?
GT: I like both acting and writing--they are actually really good complements to each other, as writing is very solitary, and acting is very interactive. I write, I get lonely, I act, I get sick of people--it's perfect.

As for TV and film, I've only ever worked on one TV show, so I can't generalize too much. But as a writer, unless you are the creator of the show, you don't have final say in what ends up being the script, which is new to me, but interesting. It's a different level of investment, because you always know that it could change, or the network could want something to change, so you do the best you can, but prepare yourself to have that not be what ends up on the screen. As for acting - it's just faster, less takes, less shots, everything moves really fast.

AE: Do you think the fact that you're out as a lesbian has impacted your career (negatively or a positively)? Is it getting easier to be out as an actor in Hollywood?
GT: It's impossible to know. Has it impacted me being on The L Word? For sure. It's hard to get on TV no matter how you slice it, as a writer or an actor. The fact that I'm gay is good for my career in that I have a built in fan base, just because there aren't that many out lesbian actresses. Meaning I get to feel loved even if I've done far less work-wise then some other actor or writer.

I don't know if it's getting easier to be out for actors, though - seems about the same. Maybe a TINY bit easier--but the same old thing stands, especially for men - it's too threatening to the guys and too distracting for the ladies to know their leading man is really gay. Also in a way I think it's so personal, and audiences can't always handle personal information about actors--it takes them out of the fantasy--unless it fits it with what they want.

AE: What are the most important lessons you've learned from working in this industry for awhile?
GT: Hmmmm....everything takes a really REALLY long time, especially getting your paycheck. Non-industry people always assume you're really famous (and hence really rich) and industry people ignore you because you're not famous enough. And having been on both sides of the casting process, there are SO MANY factors that you'll never know about that go into not choosing you for the part that you shouldn't take it personally.

Although it might well be that you're fat, old, and talentless, it's more likely that you're taller than the guy you'd play opposite, or the producers decided they wanted a blond at the last minute, or the director's girlfriend finally convinced him to give her the part, or you remind the casting director of her sister that she hates.

AE: Is it weird being so well known in the gay community, or have you had enough time to get used to it now?
GT: Weird meaning...? I don't think the young 'uns even know who I am....I don't feel very well known at all--except maybe when I'm at a gay festival or something, and then it's almost always fun.

AE: If you could make any TV series or movie in the world, what would it be about?
GT: A queer family (meaning friends who act like family, for better or for worse) and how mean and dysfunctional (and funny and sexy) they are...

AE: What other projects are you currently working on?
GT: Making a short in mid-September (any cute androgynous actors out there want to be in it?) which I wrote and will star in and direct (with a lot of help from more experienced friends), and trying to rewrite the script for the show idea I mentioned above....That's it--really hoping to do more acting some time soon.

Read our November 2004 interview with Guinevere Turner