Do research. Feed your talent. Research not only wins the war on cliche, it's the key to victory over fear and it's cousin, depression.

Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact.

Leaders use story to author the future.

When talented people write badly, it's generally for one of two reasons: Either they're blinded by an idea they feel compelled to prove of they're driven by an emotion they must express. When talented people write well, it is generally for this reason: They're moved by a desire to touch the audience.

Boredom is the inner conflict we suffer when we lose desire, when we lack a lacking.

When you do enough research, the story almost writes itself. Lines of development spring loose and you'll have choices galore.

Story is about originality, not duplication