I hear every day from storytellers, “How much do I have to invest before the money comes to me instead?”

My answer is: “How much do you want to invest in your career?” The intellectual property you’re creating can be more valuable than real property. But would you limit your investment in real estate to $1,000, $2,000, $5,000, or even $100,000? Until you get your mind squared away to value the career you’re trying to master, you will not achieve success in it. Storytelling for the commercial marketplace of publishing and motion picture production is highly competitive, for professionals only, and highly lucrative. It is NOT a hobby, or a trip to the candy store.