Reading the stories of great artists is luxury at its finest. These are the stories which endure, stay with us, characters which become as real to us as anyone we know well.

Such stories become blockbuster movies, stories which intrigue later generations as much as they did our forebears. Becoming such an artist is hard work.

There is much to learn about finding and crafting the raw material into the greatest story we can conceive. Then they must be told well.

Some are natural born storytellers, most of us learn the hard way. Reading great stories, examining them, pulling them apart, looking at the pieces, and seeing how they fit together to create the beautiful whole.

Both aspects of becoming an artist take time and commitment, determination and talent. Great artists practice to the point of obsession. Few of us will get there on our own.

Along the way to greatness, there is also an element of good luck.

My wish for you is a perfect combination of all the above.