From early on in my career, the art of constructing helpful and inspiring notes was a nut I wanted to crack.

Any knack I have for it isn't likely out of talent or insight, but rather an insatiable curiosity to understand how stories work at every level.

From the overall arc of character's journey to the individual word order of a single line, the ability to tell stories through images using just words on paper will forever intrigue me.

Painting pictures in another's head through the careful ordering of letters is akin to magic.

And luckily, that magic can be studied.

Lighthouse Story Services came about from necessity in many ways.

As I gave notes to peers, I developed a few tools and resources to make it easier.

And as word of mouth spread and I received more requests, those tools and resources became more formalized into a scheduling system, then a website, then freelance services and now a business.

From the beginning, my mantra has always been "artist first."

A screenwriter is an architect, a technician and a salesperson. But they are first and foremost an artist.

That's what I consider myself, and every single writer I work with.

• David Wappel