Daniel Pilgrim was born in Hamilton, Montana, and grew up in the foothills of the Bitterroot Mountains, where he enjoyed hiking, camping, and floating the Bitterroot River. He became interested in writing after hearing his father discuss his creative writing courses at the University of Montana, and went on to win first place in the state for a short story he wrote in his own creative writing class in junior high. He moved to Los Angeles, California, after high school and attended the University of Southern California, earning a degree in Psychology and a minor in Film. He has written numerous feature screenplays, but his real passion lies in poetry and prose.