I was born into a family of Sicilian gangsters, and lived in a neighborhood of gangsters. I began at age ten to delve into art and have been an artist for forty eight years. At age fourteen I left home and happened to be reading the “Exorcist”. I was fascinated at my own fear, and emotions brought out of the book. I knew then that I wanted to create emotions and entertain others.
How would you describe your writing?
My genre is suspense / horror with a strong element of mystery. I am not a slasher film writer, or a sudden scare writer. My writing is more intelligent, slowly building to numerous peaks. I believe that this is how the horrors of life really work, and I want to be as close to real life as possible.
How did you get into writing
I began writing at age fourteen, writing about the things I saw in life. I wrote about friends and myself, creating plots and short stories.
Did you study writing?
I am an avid reader, and have read hundreds of books on writing, screenwriting, and biographies of writers. I have never studied writing in a classroom setting. I did seek out writers, and editors as friends. I learned a great deal from all of them.
What is the difference between a screenplay and a play
Most importantly you must consider environment, and the number of environments that are possible. Screenplays, can have dozens of different environments in one screenplay. Each of these backgrounds creates emotion, and alters the audience’s view. In a play there are limited number of environments available, and require creating the audience experience through the script and actors abilities. Additionally, a movie can have unlimited numbers of people. A play has a very limited number of actors. A play write must keep the audience interested in those very few actors.
How do you turn an idea into a play
I am very goal oriented. I ask myself what are my main goals that I want to achieve in writing, what are my minor objectives. Then I attempt to create a plot that fulfills my goals.
What do you do to get an idea into a play
I am a reader and an interviewer. I read nonfiction books continually. I read newspaper articles, magazine articles, etc. I also make it a point to interview one person every week. Every person has a story, and even similar stories have different viewpoints of that story. I also ask people to place themselves in different situations, and ask them about their opinion.
Briefly describe a few wrong impressions writers indulge in
The most flagrant is generalizations, and generalizing characters. Such as women are weak, blacks are less intelligent, the rich are evil. Secondly, the audience is relatively ignorant or stupid. Lastly, most writers do not have a strong knowledge base of the people they write about.
Do you often take courses in writing to increase your craft
No. I have never taken a course, and I am not sure that I ever would. I have never been someone who learns well in a classroom setting.
What books do you read
I read history books, biographies, nonfiction, articles and newspapers. I read a minimum of one book each week, and I take notes on everything I read.
What do you do to keep in shape as a writer
I write a minimum of five pages a day, even if it is just a set of ideas. I have a plot book that I try to write in two to three times a week. I do a lot of ghost writing for friends. One of my favorite things to do is, watch a movie and rewrite the ending.
When you are offered a play to write what is your routine
Start with the goals and objectives of the play. I then look through my list of character types and begin developing a back story for each in this play. Then I develop an ending and a beginning. From there I layout my outline.
How do you develop a character in a script to be honest and believable
Interview, Interview, Interview. All of my characters are real people, I never invent them. I often re-interview people that I have interviewed for a specific character. Lastly, no generalizations.
What is the most memorable character you have created
Elizabeth. She is based upon a woman I met who was bi-polar woman who had severe PTSD, and had been sexually, physically and emotionally abused throughout her life. She is the hero in my latest screenplay, so I can not go to deeply into the story.
What do you want from a director during production
Most importantly, I want the director to help me to help him fulfill his goals with the film.
How do you prefer to work with a director during production
I begin with no attachment to my original writing. Every director is different, I allow them to lead and I am there to support.
Do you get offers from Hollywood
That would be the dream. Right now I am fighting to achieve that.
What do you think a writer can do to get into the industry.
Writing is like a fifteen round boxing match. You must fight your own fight. You have to take a lick to give a lick. In the end you must keep moving, bobbing and weaving. You must try new things to get noticed, meet people, and remember you are a writer no matter what.
Who is your favorite writer?
That is like asking who is my favorite person. The answer is simple, Rod Smith.
Why
I have to be my own greatest supporter. I have to believe that I am the greatest writer of all time. It is what keeps me going.
What advise would you give to amateur writers around the world.
If you love what you do, never stop. If you wouldn’t trade everything to achieve your goal, don’t start. Writing is like life, live every moment to live greatness.
Briefly write about my career.
I have been writing for nearly fifty years. I have been honing my craft, and now I am pursuing my dream.
