I'm originally from New Haven, Connecticut although now I reside in Duarte California. I went to the University of Pittsburgh. I did not study writing. I studied Computer Science. Like many others I decided that I was no longer interested in what I went to school for. By the time I
decided that I wanted to be a screenwriter I was 32 years old. I also had a wife, four small children and about $50,000 in student loans.

Is DOMESTIC VIOLENCE your first script? If not, what else have you completed? 

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is not my first script. I have been peddling scripts and trying to get representation for 11 years now. I have completed fourteen other scripts. Fortunately for me, I can complete a movie script about any subject in which I can hold an intelligent conversation. Unfortunately for me, I don't know anybody with any money or connections to produce them.

Why did you write DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? And how long did it take you to write it? 

I get inspiration from any and everywhere. Stories in the news, conversations with my children, I once wrote an entire movie script based on the background voices in a song by the rapper "Ice Cube". DOMESTIC VIOLENCE took about five weeks to write, which isn't bad considering I am also working a full time 40 hour-a-week job.  I wrote this story based on an article my teenage daughter showed me. The article was about a woman being abused and why she took so long to report it. I told my daughter that she was probably too humiliated to report it. My daughter said, "Imagine how humiliating it would be if it was a man getting beat up" and just like
that the idea was formed.

Describe your process; do you have a set routine, method for writing?

I would like to say that I have this great routine for writing with beautiful outlines and such but the reality is between work and family and the thousand other responsibilities that I have in life, I really just write when I can. I carry around a legal pad and just write as much as I can whenever I can find a moment of quiet, on the bus or during my lunch. I'm a big sports nut so
sometimes I'll write while I have the Lakers or Broncos in the background on mute.

Do you feel that screenwriting contests are worthwhile for writers and why?

To be honest, I think these contests are very worthwhile. I entered the movie script contest for the feedback. Your family loves you so they'll never give you honest criticism. I hope that some producer somewhere will read and love my stuff. Even if he doesn't actually make the movie, maybe he'll like my style and I can get a job writing professionally for a studio or TV show, I have some great ideas for Law and Order and C.S.I. Miami.

Who is your favorite  screenwriter or writer and why? 

My favorite screenwriter is probably Richard Rose. He is able to draw you into a story and feel the characters without a lot of sex or violence or car chases or special effects. In "12 Angry Men", he showed how all men are unique and carrying their own baggage and can disagree when looking at the same information.

Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?

I haven't made it myself yet so I'm hard pressed to give other writers advice
but I would just say keep on writing. You never know. It took the guy who
wrote "Forrest Gump" ten years to become an overnight sensation.