I think there is nothing that can replace your emotional response. The biggest mistakes I have ever made in my life are when people told me, "You really should produce this. It's a guaranteed hit." I would read the material and I would go, "I don't get it, but okay, I'll produce it." You're giving up that much of your life, your time with family and friends, to something that you're not really committed to - and they did not pan out the way everyone said they would, even though I worked just as hard.

It's more important to get the right writer and the right take than it is to do something in a particular timeframe.

A key ingredient to success, I learned, is relying on not only the kindness of strangers, but the kindness of colleagues.

If you don't know what you're being asked to do, make sure you clarify. I think people in every business are afraid to ask questions.

I'm gut all the way, which is why I think I'm so connected to shows like Falling Water and even The Walking Dead, which is all about the mortal consequences of our actions. Generally, we act first and realize the consequences later.

Generally I try to be on set as much as possible, especially during the early part of a season. I read all of the outlines and scripts and look at the auditions and the cuts for my other shows and give notes on all of that. There's a lot to do, but I enjoy nothing more than being on set because that's where the magic happens.

We tend to be more environmental at home than at work, regardless of the industry we're in.