​In my early days, I studied story structure and attended classes by teachers like Robert McKee and John Truby.  That knowledge was critical in my screenwriting career and it continues to help me in writing long form novels.  Without a decent knowledge of story structure, you run the risk of getting lost.  Or worse, pushing unmotivated characters around like they were just pieces on a chessboard.  

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I've worked on documentaries, animation, live action series, and movies.  Before that, I was a cinematographer for seven years.  I don't think my varied background is much different than a lot of other writers.  When you have a family, you often write to pay the bills.  It can be great fun when you land a good paycheck or get a story editing gig on a show that you love - but not a lot of fun during a drought.  

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One of the great things, of course, is that you get to live the "writer's life'.  For a long time now, I've been going to bed when I want, working as hard as I want, and traveling wherever I want, as long as I have the money of course.  It has allowed me to follow my interests wherever they take me.  That's the big one.  If you're curious about life, and have any kind of imagination, you'll want to follow your interests.

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Because that's what a writer's life is about.  ​And that's what makes it so good.

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