How did you come up with the idea for your screenplay?

I began thinking about the Biblical Prophet Elijah after watching RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. There is the Desert Island Altar scene at the end where Belloq is dressed in the elaborate ceremonial robes of the ancient Hebrew priest. He stands by the altar watchin as German soldiers carry the Ark up the steps and sit it down in front of him. Marion and Indy are tied back to back to a large lamp pole. Belloq, in his obsession, takes the full blast of the celestial fire. His whole body seems lit by a million-volt current. Gradually, the beams of fire join together into a twisting spiral and move toward the sky, which has opened up to receive it. This scene made me think about Elijah calling down fire from heaven on Mount Carmel. Elijah started off a fearless man of God. He goes to Mount Carmel and defeats the 450 prophets of Baal through the power of God. Later Elijah outruns King Ahab's chariot and shows off by prancing around the streets of Jezreel. He goes from fearless to fearful. Queen Jezebel threat caused Elijah to run for forty days and forty nights and hide out in a cave. Elijah returns to serve God after realizing his power came from above and not his mantle. Elijah exits this earth in a dramatic Fiery Chariot scene. I began researching Biblical archeology on King Ahab's Ivory Palace. I read books such as "Fox's Book of Martyrs" to get a feel for Jezebel.

What or who was your inspiration?

I first heard about Elijah in my Junior Church class at the First Assembly of God Church in Antioch, CA. Sister Catlett used pictures and the flannel board to teach us about Elijah. I didn't realize the Second Grader sitting next to me would be my future wife. I remember Sister Catlett taught how Elijah called down fire from heaven and killed 50 warriors plus their Captain for disrespecting God. I began to see Elijah as the "Rambo" of the prophets of God.

How long did it take for you to write your script?

I spent a year researching, thinking and reading about King Ahab's Ivory Palace, Phoenician Princess Jezebel and Elijah. I wrote the First Draft in about a year. Then put the script away. Later, I spent another year rewriting the script. Sent the script to the "Chesterfield Writer's Film Project." SAMARIA was a Semifinalist. I rewrote the script and sent it to the "BlueCat Screenplay Competition." SAMARIA was a Finalist and received a full page ad in "Hollywood Reporter." I did another rewrite. SAMARIA is now at Finalist stage in Christian Screenwrite. I'm going to rewrite SAMARIA one more time.

What were some of the challenges that you faced during the writing process?

I tried to be accurate to the spirit of all the people in the Old Testament story. I didn't want to add to or take away from the Biblical account of Elijah. Another concern with SAMARIA was depicting Jezebel on the screen. Elijah stated that Jezebel's body would be eaten by the fowls of the air and dogs from the streets of Jezreel. There would be nothing left to bury or to erect a monument too. I wanted to be careful not to erect a monument to Jezebel through film. I pray everyday before I write. I felt all I needed to do was just stay true to the Biblical story.

What is your writing background? Do you have formal training as a writer?

From 1980-1982 I completed film classes at U.C.L.A. Extension held at the Screenwriters Guild Theater in Beverly Hills. New York Times Film Critic Stephen Farber taught the classes. Mr. Farber would show a film then bring the screenwriter, director, actors on stage for a question and answer session. Martin Scorsese came to class once with his film "King of Comedy." I don't have a formal training as a writer. I learned to write scripts by buying the required books for the screenwriting classes at the U.C.L.A. and U.S.C. bookstores. I bought books such as Syd Field's "Screenplay." I visited "Script City" in Hollywood and bought screenplays such as "Chinatown." My only criteria was the script had to have won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay. I used these scripts to learn about screenwriting technique and correct formatting. I received my M.A. and B.A. degrees in Fine Arts. I taught art at the Middle School, High School and College level.

Have you won any other contests?

Yes. I'm going to Los Angeles for "Slamdance Screenwriting Awards" ceremony on September 10th. I was told I made the top ten Finalist. They will announce top three scripts at ceremony. The same screenplay about a violin player received the gold "Remi" award for Best Unproduced Screenplay at the Houston International Film Festival - 2003. I have taken First Place or Finalist in Red Inkworks, Scriptrep.com, America's Best, Scriptapalooza, New Century Writer Awards and several Semi-Finalists awards such as Chesterfield Writer's Film Project.

Do you have advice for other writers who are dealing with Christian themes?

I think whatever you write, whether you write about war, violence, etc. try and show these events from God's perspective. Too many films show life and events from the world's point of view.