I always work from an outline, so I know all the of the broad events and some of the finer details before I begin writing the book.
I'm a character actor, and I made a choice when I was young, after 'Mystic Pizza', not to go for the mainstream stuff, and to do a more eclectic kind of route.
I think art education, especially in this country, which government pretty much ignores, is so important for young people.