I am a Colorado native and split my time between Colorado and California. I enjoy screen writing and the process of creating something that has not existed before.

My first script was a tribute to my best friend, Marc, who passed away. We talked about writing a screenplay where two best friends, who begin playing poker in high school, fight through adversity and go on to win the World Series of Poker. Basically, the Rocky of poker.

Though we did not get to write it together, in honor of him, I committed to writing it. I read a few screenwriting books, took a class and partnered with a co-writer. Eighteen months, 147 pages (I know now!) and one incredible learning experience later, it was done.

For my first effort, it was pretty good (It’s much better now if you’re listening Mr. Spielberg). The script received good feedback from industry professionals and did well in a few contests. We also stuck to our guns about treating it as a business and passed up an offer to option the screenplay. Now, my interest in screenwriting was piqued.

I had three epiphanies from this process…
1. I enjoyed the creativity of writing. I used to perform improv comedy. I wasn’t that funny, hence the 20+ years of business experience on my resume. But I liked the creative outlet of performing, just hated being on stage. Screenwriting has provided a creative outlet I didn’t even realize I missed until I started writing the first script.
2. It tapped into my competitive nature. On two levels. Externally, I want to do well. The hell with that, I want to win screenwriting contests. From an internal perspective, as I received great feedback, it forced me to be competitive with myself and look within at how I can make my scripts and writing better. Which led to…
3. Screenwriting is a skill. A talent is an inborn ability…I do not possess this talent. I couldn’t conjugate a sentence to save my life. I did, however, recognize I had the skill, an expertise that needed to be developed by learning. More “how to” books, interaction with writers, networking all helped. And, I was lucky enough to be accepted into an extraordinary screenwriting group, Academy of Film Writing’s 5150 Workshop (Yes that’s an endorsement!). All these aided in my development as a screenwriter. I also realized that the learning will never end.

Several years and scripts later, I am enjoying this journey. Which was also learned, not innate. I’ve completed several scripts (features and shorts) and all have performed well in various contests. Nothing produced…yet (Ahem, hello…anybody?)