Background: I started writing short stories (Sci-Fi)when I was 9-years old. My teachers loved them so I immediately sent them to Disney, suggesting they buy them for films. They politely declined, but I now have my BFA from USC Film School in Screenwriting, and a few sold feature film screenplays plus some documentaries. "Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged: All's Not Fair in Love or War" is my first published novel. It is set in the mid-90s with the O.J. trial in the background and plenty of L.A. vibe. It follows the hot romance of a divorcing woman in her late 30s with a 40-year old Japanese American man who bears the scars suffered by his family during World War II. Her women friends cheer from the sidelines, but also struggle with their own hard-won beliefs about love and sex. Like most first novels, it's a thinly disguised memoir. My ex-husband gave it a great review, but added: "Marlan, I can forgive you anything, but why did you make me Russian?" Major Influences: Erica Jong goes at the top of the list. I was blown away by her sexually frank "Fear of Flying" all those years ago. Anais Nin's sensual, intuitive, thoughtful diaries are probably why I have kept journals. "Roadmaps" grew out of my journal entries during my divorce. One day, I looked at them and realized they were perfect chapters. Jong's and Nin's honesty and sensitivity resonates with me as a person and a writer. Alice Munro is my favorite author. Her prose is so deceptively effortless and her stories give slices of life with poetic spins that shape their structure. M.F.K. Fisher's beautiful ability to tell stories that create a world of reality we all would like to live in, also influences my writing. Theater: From the time I was 9-years old until age 32, I lived a "Life in the Theater." At 17, I formed a theater company with two friends and we tackled heavy plays like "The Crucible" (giving ourselves the juiciest roles). I studied theater at FSU. Acted in plays in Boston, Canada, Chicago and San Diego, until I began playwrighting which led to screenwriting. I wrote two screenplays that revolve around theater people. Recurring Themes: Women's Stories, Intercultural Interactions, Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places, Transcending Oppression, Fighting Racism, Sexism and all "isms."

Novelist: "Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged: All's Not Fair in Love or War" available on Amazon KDP.

Midwest Book Review Contributor

B.F.A. Screenwriting - University of Southern California

Publicist (Book Publicity by Marlan)- Listed as a Recommended Publicist by Midwest Book Review.

Editor: The last book I edited was Sherry Glaser's "The First Practical Handbook for Crazy People: Making the Most of Mental Illness."

Certified Life Coach - Life Coaching Institute of O.C.

Certified Reiki Master/Teacher

Tai Chi Teacher

Blogger: "L.A. Now and Then"

Playwright:
"Chasing Sangha" (staged reading, Athena Cats)

"Bits of Paradise: Kochiyama's Crusaders"(staged reading, Rogue Machine Theater and Founders Metropolitan Community Church) - wrote, produced, directed and acted. I produced and directed another version of this play in San Francisco at The Marsh Theater.

"Hallelujah Whiplash" (a women's self-defense musical showcased at the Marquis Public Theatre, San Diego)

Filmmaker:
"Reunion" documentary was the official selection at multiple international film festivals.

I had a short story published in "American Girl" magazine when I was 15-years old, but I probably shouldn't mention that.