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I read that book, 'Lonesome Dove,' and I told my agent that they were gonna make a miniseries out of it and I wanted to be in it. I didn't care what part.

To this day, I still think Lonesome Dove is my best part.

I doubt I'll ever do another book collaboration; I've been spoiled. Roger and I both happened to move to New Mexico at about the same time, when we each had a family of young kids to raise. Socializing seemed to lead naturally to working together.

I had a brilliant time working with the entire cast and crew at 'Return To Nim's Island.' It's amazing how, after working on a film, you really become a family, and you build these really special bonds together.

In the case of The Loved One, I was hired to collaborate on an updated version of the book.

I gave myself two months to book a job. One month later I was cast on 'Modern Family.'

I weave the company into what we laughingly call 'Jack's novel.' I write this novel for them about who they are and what's going on in their world. When I had 90 people in 'Porgy and Bess,' each had a story, history and family relationship.

It ended up being a very good thing, because they finally started writing for the character, and I realized that you have to go to work with a purpose. I learned from the experience and then moved on.

I wrote two plays before I was cast on 'The Neighbors.' They actually got published, which was cool.