How to Survive When Not Writing, by Josh Stallings

Q: Writers say they write because they have to. Is that true of you? What happens if you don’t write? Do you get cranky? Bereft? Restless?

My office is dark tonight

A: If you have any other choice, don’t love too deeply, don’t get married, don’t have children, and whatever you do don’t become a writer. Every one of these actions will sooner or later break your heart. 

If you are the sort of person who sees that the upside of these choices outweighs the risks. If you are willing to gamble it all on ...