Where do you live (City, State, or Country)? Henderson, Nevada
Your script stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your story and why did you write a script instead of a short story or a novel? I was inspired to write Stronger When She’s Broken (a true story about my urban and military journey) after a doctor told me that I had less than four months to live. My aunt suggested that I write my story in “movie format,” but I didn’t know how. I quickly learned script format then proceeded to pour out my soul on the page before my life clock ran out. Lucky for me I found a Cardiologist who helped to extend my life. The script went on to win several film festival awards. Heck Stronger When She’s Broken became a finalist in an Academy Award qualifying competition. Isn’t life crazy? It wasn’t until I was told that I was dying that I started living my best life as a screenwriter. Crazy!
How long did it take you to write your script...and what is your writing process? Do you outline...use index cards...white board...or just start with FADE IN? It took less than sixty days to write Stronger When She’s Broken. I never use an outline for feature scripts. However, I may make a few notes surrounding an interesting word, a joke or a phrase I want a character to use. I only use an outline when I write nonfiction educational material.
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer? As a screenwriter I’d love to have my award-winning horror screenplay Leapers developed and released to theaters and drive-ins. As an author, I hope that readers find my literary work educational, entertaining or inspiring.
Was your entry at The Wiki Screenplay Contest a full script or “the first ten pages”? Why did you make that choice? I submitted a full feature script to the contest because it felt like the right thing to do.
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show...and why? Jurassic Park because it blends action, adventure and horror. That’s my writing jam!
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have? When life gets hard keep going and write from your soul. Get deep with it. Also, you may make structural writing mistakes in the beginning, but good feedback in the early iteration of your work will yield dividends later. Keep going through the pain!
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about? I use humor in live performances to teach veterans and seniors how to tell their awesome stories through book or screenwriting.