I dropped out of high school, disdained college and paid no attention to the prominent connections my father had in the entertainment industry. I was determined to survive, or not, simply by my natural grit, work ethic, talent and luck. I failed a lot. I succeeded occasionally and I'm proud of those achievements. I do regret, at this late point in my life, that I always chose the hard way of the lone wolf. I realize now that I was an angry young man with something, or everything, to prove.

My regrets I hope will be the seeds of a greater understanding that I can convey to young people considering a similar path. Writing is the greatest job in the world but everybody doesn't have to start from zero like I did. The world will see your light, you just have to keep the flame inside you burning brightly. Be prepared to accept a life of failure without becoming resigned to it. You will succeed in small ways and occasionally in large ones if you're lucky. The work is the same. Be a writer. Temper the steel in your soul and keep your hand of friendship open to everyone, even friends you haven't earned.