Thank you , Sergio, for welcoming me into your community. My own experience is far less impressive than yours, with no real awards to speak of or huge body of work. I've written a half dozen novels and a few more feature-length screenplays (and multiple shorts), but it's really been more of a hobby than an attempt to "break into" publishing or the Industry. I learned a lot, though, and eventually decided to start making my own films - again, with no thought that I could make a living at it...more just because it was something I've always wanted to do and have played at doing ever since I was a kid. I eventually made a number of shorts - as well as crewing, editing and acting in other people's shorts - along with a feature which didn't go anywhere in the festivals (but then, I didn't want to bother with anything but the B+/A tier festivals, so that might also just be my own damn fault). I'm going to give it another edit and then try again. 😅 In any case, it's all been a learning experience and something I was able to do on the side while running a business that was far less interesting to me, but that provided the roof and food on the table. Now that I'm retired, I've returned with renewed energy to my passions - again, though, not to take the world by storm...it has long ago left me behind in its wake...but to express and share a bit of the little bit I've learned over the years. Again, thanks for having me and I look forward to learning from you and helping out here in whatever way I can.

@Sergio Spadavecchia Thank you, Sergio - I very much appreciate your encouraging words. I think creating is much like training for a sport or climbing a mountain. Coaches always say, "Don't focus on the goal (whether it's a win, a record-breaking performance, or the top of a mountain). Focus on your form, on this lap, on your next step along the trail." Whatever the outcome is, you accept - but the outcome is not the goal. Your next incremental move is.