Q:

What's paramount?

* in the * heyday * of * * * my * life * * * after * an * * * excellent * * * * * cut * of * * * * * meat * * * a * typical * * * example * * * * * of * * * * * my * main * * * * * concern * * * was * an * * * * * apostrophe.

A:

In the heyday of my life

 That is, in my prime.

after an excellent cut of meat

 That is, a prime cut.

a typical example

 ... a prime example ...

of my main concern

 ... my prime concern ...

was an apostrophe.

 Not exactly -- but the prime used by mathematicians to indicate differentiation and the like ($f'$) somewhat resembles an apostrophe.

And of course

 "paramount" is another word that can be an approximate synonym of "prime".

* * * * *

 Number the words-and-asterisks from 1 upwards; the words are in the prime positions and the asterisks in the others.

