RJ Smith: Author, screenwriter and producer in Miami Beach, Florida.

Responding many years too late Luis R. Quintero but I'd choose Nia Vardalos. She's the reason I wrote my first screenplay and I'd love to star in my own uplifting comedies as she has as well!

Some of my favourite comedians started in Vaudeville or radio. I relate to Jack Benny because our personalities are similar and our comedy style are very much alike and he has a certain sarcasm that I also have.

I know it's probably cliche, but I'd have to say Spielberg. The guy has been my top film and storytelling influence literally since I was a kid.

Could be. It all depends on the size, the genre and how many rewrites. Also, if you need to do extensive research, you also need to take that in account. For me a first draft of a short usually takes a week and that's about 15 pages. But if you want to be really good, then take all the time you need.

The reason it takes so long for people to write something is that most people don't have a story. Wait, what!? This is how it happens: they start writing and figuring out things as they write it. Then you meander into never-never land going in circles - it's called "stuck in the Second Act" (Syndrome). Why? Because you don't know how to end it! So this is what you need to do before you pick up your pencil, or start pounding on the keyboard - know exactly "how will the story end". Then work backwards, you'll whip out stories/scripts in weeks. As a corollary, if the ending is mediocre or just run of the mill ho-hum, don't write it - change the ending until it's great, then write it. My opinion only, of course; and YMMV :)

If you have a story and know the characters it will take you two weeks. I just wrote my 65 page TV pilot in eight days. I wrote my first feature film 99 pages in two weeks.

You're very welcome Isabeau. I don't mean to sound too Suzy Sunshine about this industry, but a lot of people told us over the years that we would never make money writing self-published novels. And I know that we are exception to the rule. In our experience, we've been the exeption to a lot of rules. Our books are not the next great American novels. They were fun to write, hell to edit (again and again and again), and hopefully a decent read for the right audience. I just want people to know that it is possible to make it (whatever that means to you) as an indie author. We have felt all the discouragement, the disappointment, the frurstration--we still feel it every day--but we love what we do and it's all been worth it for us. And every down has made the ups that much better. Which is sappy but true.

Sophie Davis The thing for me is, I don't have enough money to budget doing all of that with a novel. I would love to, but right now my income is really tight. Due to all that it takes to get this stuff off the ground, I've been considering calling it quits on storytelling and focusing on my current career as a freelancer, because, well, I at least know I can make money doing that without spending thousands of dollars I don't have.

I don't know. Maybe screenwriting would just be better. My stories may not go anywhere, but at least I wouldn't feel so damn disappointed by not "making it" due to not being able to invest in myself the way I want to.

Michael, it is an investment to get off the ground initially, for sure. At the very least, paying for a great cover and editing can be pricey. Joining groups with other indie authors in your specific area can help cut marketing and advertising budgets around your launch, though. Sometimes having one person send out the news of your release to their mailing list can give you a very nice boost in sales and/or rankings. And it's free. If you can get 20 other authors to do it, even better. We do takeovers in other people's reader groups (not sure if these types of groups are more used in YA and romance than other genres?) and do giveaways and talk about our books. Also free and often gets us increased sales in the week(s) afterwards. And going the traditional publishing route is also always an option if you have a story you really believe in and want to get out there but aren't sure or don't have the money to invest in making it success. I know the query process is daunting and comes typically with a lot of rejections. We've had agents who sought us out reject our work in the end. Contests are an option, as well. I know two authors (in real life, not from the online community) who have won publishing contracts by placing or winning contests that were free to enter. One signed with Harper Collins and the other with Penguin.