In 2013, I started out writing options, lots of them (hundreds if not more) but when I totaled my "profits" I realized unless I employed huge leverages, the payoffs were meager. So in 2014 I got off the beaten path.
I know you are a bright guy and have a good handle on the topic. Just so you know, I am not pushing my view or my method, I simply wanted to present a different view that might be helpful to someone who happens to read it. It is important for retails to seek out a method that fits their personality and risk tolerance. I am more comfortable with a method that caps loss at the start and thus keeps my emotion in check. In this business, you can make money employing any method, buying, selling, combinations... The devil is in the details. Let me again quote the quality guru Ed Deming: There is no substitute for knowledge and experience. Take care.