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I've been writing most of my life, having penned my first short story in the 6th grade (at least the first one I can remember). I wrote my first screenplay when I was 16. Take it from me, neither was particularly good!
But, I kept at it, flirting with writing through college (thank you Mrs. Shields -- my first college prof who made me understand I could write). After college, I went into business because I figured that writing was a good way to starve. And as will happen in life, I had my successes and failures. It was during my mid 30's, and during a period of failure, that I decided that if I was going to fail, I might as well do it at something I truly loved. So, I quit my day job, moved in with my parents and started writing full time.
Since that fateful day, I have had my ups and downs, I have not seen great financial success, but neither have I ever regretted that decision. And, along the way, I've written over 20 screenplays, 3 novels, been both published and produced, been hired many times to write for producers, entertained a few people, made money, lost money and loved every minute of it.
My first novel, The Tattered Rose, was based on the murder of the Black Dahlia in 1947. It was a learning experience. I might go back to it one day, but I doubt it.
My second novel, Primal Scream, is a supernatural, horror story with elements of suspense-thriller and poses the question that if reincarnation does exist, is it possible that past incarnations can affect our present day lives. It is currently available as a 99 cent Ebook on amazon.com.
My third novel, A Chinese New Year, was uploaded today! "New Year" was a pivotal work for me. It took me from screenwriting firmly to novel writing. My most favorite pet project, it took over twenty years from the time I started it until I learned enough about life to be able to finish it. It tells the story of Charlie Owens, who at 33 years old is still his own worst enemy in life. He just doesn’t get how it all works. As a result, success in any area of his life has always eluded him.
That’s why he’s so receptive when his younger sister tells him to celebrate the Chinese New Year. As she puts it, “Every time my Chinese friend Jill celebrates it, she tells me she has a great year. And every time she doesn’t, it’s crap.”
She explains how to celebrate it: “Put out some glasses and fill them with some decent whiskey to please the Gods, open the door and welcome them. Talk about your problems, then let them out. Go to sleep and the next day, don’t get your hair wet.”
Charlie follows her instructions to the letter and the next day has the worst day of his life. He gets fired from his job, gets in a car accident, learns his insurance policy has lapsed, learns he’s bounced, yet again, more checks.
The weight of an unsuccessful life is too much for him and he caves in. Charlie tries to kill himself. When several attempts fail, he realizes that he lives in a second floor apartment and all he really has to do is dive off the walkway outside his apartment, head first, maximum impact.
And once again, life holds true as he fails, this time thwarted by Matzu, savior of lost fishermen, the Chinese Goddess who’s been sent to answer Charlie’s prayers and help him learn the skills he needs to create his life as he would have it.
Together, Charlie and Matzu set out on a journey of discovery. Matzu’s lessons slowly teach Charlie the tools he needs to change his life. And he introduces Matzu, who was deified around 988 A.D., to 21st century Los Angeles. The clubs, the fashion, western dancing... and a little nectar from the Gods known as a Black Russian.
"A Chinese New Year," is not about the heartbreak of failure or a failed life. Rather, it celebrates the art of life, offering the possibility that the answers to our questions are right there in front of our faces. All we have to do is open our eyes. It is a heartwarming tale of friendship, love and the nature of the universe.
Sometimes as a writer it's hard to say who influences you. Who among us hasn't read a line in a novel or a screenplay and thought, what a great turn of phrase? And in that moment, in that recognition, we grew. We learned something new. So it's hard to say with certainty who influences you.
Two do stand out. William Goldman (Adventures in the Screen Trade, The Marathon Man, The Princess Bride and numerous others) taught me about subtext and its value. I remember one book on writing (I believe it was Spider, Spin me a Web by Lawrence Block) which taught me about tension and how to use it. And then there's Robert Louis Stevenson (if I have to name his novels, you need to go back to middle school). Frankly, I'm not sure what he taught me, but man I love his words and whatever I learned from him came through osmosis.
And finally, if I'm going to put down words about the various influences in my life and on my writing, I have to include Richard Bach. Richard didn't teach me anything about writing. But he, along with Jane Roberts, taught me everything about how we create our lives.
It's going to sound corny, but for me, writing is a temple, one that is more like a soapbox than a house of worship. I step onto it when I have something to say. I feel that at the very least, a writer should have something to say, and hopefully, it's something that makes us think about life or feel a little better about ourselves or lifts us up.
I remember a discussion I once had (it seems like a lifetime ago) with a producer I knew. We were working on one of my spec screenplays and I said that the changes he was making were killing the theme. He turned to me and said, "Arnold, not all stories have to be thematic," And I responded, "That may be so, Phil, but all great ones are."
I'm not saying I'm great. I never judge my work. I am compelled to write it and so I have no choice. You see, I don't believe I ever chose to write or be a writer. It chose me. I tried to deny it half my life, and finally, I gave in.
So, if you choose to read something I've written, you will learn two things about me:
I do have something to say,
And I do know how to spin a web...
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