1) Why did you decide to get into this industry?
I was compelled to write stories. I actually got a graduate degree in biology and physiology. But after working in science for a while, I decided I wanted to pursue creative endeavors instead. I moved to New York to become a star! I had been doing parts in dinner theatres, but I moved to New York to do more professional theatre. After acting in New York for a while, I moved to LA – and switched to writing. I’ve been doing it ever since. I love creating stories – and have written for half hour TV, hour TV and movie scripts. Two of my films have been made and I have a couple of others soon to go into production,
2) What’s a defining moment in your life?
When I quit my science job to go into show business/ and later when I moved from NY to LA. I wrote a screenplay and everyone told me I’d never get anyone to look at it. I got a big agency… and a big star interested right away! But then the writers strike happened and all business stopped in town.
3) What is your biggest concern with the future?
Getting more of my movies made… before I die! Hollywood has a lot of sexism and ageism. It’s always been more difficult for women to get work – and if you’re over 35 years old, it’s hard to get work as a writer. However, I keep reinventing myself – and working hard to get things done on my own. I have a new play, AS GOOD AS GOLD – which is a comedy about women and gender parity in Hollywood. It’s based on the truths that Hollywood is tough if you’re a woman, or if you’re over 35 – but it tells the story in a theatrical and humorous way.
4) What is a successful moment in your career so far?
Writing for TV Series. Producing a film after it was optioned 8 times by Hollywood and never made. I finally decided “no more options.” I went out and raised the money and within 6 months we were in pre-production, casting and MAKING THE FILM! It’s out now on iTunes and Amazon, and we sold 50,000 units of the film to Walmart on DVD
5) What advice do you have for other women in the industry?
If you believe in your project – never give up! Two of my screenplays were produced– and each finally got to the screen 20 years after I wrote it. (I can’t wait that long for the next ones!) The fact is, you never know when something is going to happen – or which of your projects will take off or when. It’s never necessarily the one you expect or at the time you expect. So, you have to be strong and keep going… and if you’re a writer… keep writing! Today there are many ways to get your projects out there yourself, without waiting for Hollywood. You can make a movie independently – or self-publish a book. You just have to remember, writing the book or the movie is just the first part – sometimes even the easiest part! Publicizing your project takes just as much work or even more work – and that is just as important. You can have a great project – but if no one knows about it, it will never get seen. So you have to be willing either to hire a publicist (which costs a lot of money) – or do the publicity yourself.
6) What, if anything, do you collect?
After I wrote the book, Never Kiss a Frog: A Girl’s Guide to Creatures from the Dating Swamp- people kept giving me frogs!
7) What are you working on next? In addition, if people want to find out more about you, where can they find you on social media?
Getting another movie made. Creating a TV series. Getting my new play up and running. I’m always working on numerous projects. I’m rewriting a script I wrote years ago to update it and do a gender switch – since stories about women are being produced now. I’m also trying to pitch my movies to companies – and I may try to raise money for a new movie and produce it myself. Plus, I have two new books coming out in 2020. I am always so busy. I say I need a staff of 10, but I only have 3: Me, Myself and I!
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The Reel Women 