Sometimes it seems like it takes forever to get anything done in Hollywood, which is why I am truly grateful (and amazed!) to have three produced movies. I have trunks full of novels, plays and screenplays, and few ever see the light of day. Although it can be discouraging, I am starting to realize that it’s the act of writing that holds true value, not the finished result. Writing is an ongoing pursuit. We write in order to gain insight into ourselves, and others, and the world around us.

Although my three movies appear extremely diverse on the surface, when you take a closer look you see that they are all about people in challenging circumstances who are driven by will and ambition to create a better life for themselves.

In BEAUTIFUL, Mona stubbornly clings to an unrealistic delusion in order to survive her abusive childhood. It takes almost twenty years to finally attain her life’s goal: to become Miss America. But when she finally attains her goal, she realizes a new dream has taken its place. In RINGMASTER, Connie yearns for something extraordinary in her ordinary life, and her quixotic efforts to be on the Jerry Springer Show turns her family upside-down. In DISNEY’S MEET THE ROBINSONS, Lewis is an orphan past the “adoptable” age who possesses value nobody can see. When prospective parents visit the orphanage, he hangs out on the roof and sketches in his notebook – sketches that will lead to the invention that will change his life. For Lewis, the notebook is literally the key to unlocking his bright future. I guess Mona, Connie and Lewis are all aspects of me. I have spent much of my life writing in notebooks, trying to figure out how to get from where I am, to where I want to be.