About Pat
Have you dreamed of writing a screenplay, novel, or memoir, but can’t make yourself sit down and start because you don’t know the “rules,” or think it will stink when you’re done?
Do you struggle with specific craft issues– structure, character, dialogue, or voice?
Do you try to cram in writing between other engagements—work, family, social life—and never really move forward on your projects?
Have you shelved a story you wanted to write because of fear?
All of the above was me.
Especially the negative thoughts part. Some of these thoughts not only lived in my head, they set up a freaking house party. Seriously, with champagne. I tried everything to banish them. First, I worked harder than everyone else. When that didn’t work, I tried working less hard than everyone else. My fear of failure was so intense that at one point, I held onto a script for two years because I felt sure I would be crushed when everyone hated it.
Guess what? When I finally sent it out, it sold.
I believe that stories can change the world. But that often we are stopped from telling them by the powerful thoughts in our heads.
My goal is to make you a better, happier writer. I will help strengthen and deepen your craft, give you tools to overcome resistance, and aid you to tap in more fully to the stories, characters and themes that matter to you.
A Brief Bio
I’m a screenwriter, film director and story consultant. I’ve worked with Academy Award winning screenwriters, and also newbies who are working on their first book or screenplay. As a writer myself, I’ve penned scripts for Touchstone Pictures, Witt Thomas Productions, and Disney’s animation division. I wrote and directed a feature film for Trimark Pictures, and co-produced the award-winning documentary “Somewhere Between.” I teach screenwriting in the MFA programs at UCLA and the American Film Institute and serve as a mentor at the Meryl Streep/Nicole Kidman funded Writer’s Lab in New York. My favorite job was as a story consultant for Disney/Pixar, where I worked with writers and directors to brainstorm crazy capers for Tinkerbell.
Most importantly, I’ve been you.
I’ve struggled with writing craft, vision, follow through and fear. Here’s how I work with writers like you.