nima asked Michael J. Sullivan:

A lot of writers think of writing as a job or a chore. I often wonder why they would write fiction if they thought of it as a job. There are other actual jobs that involve writing that they could take up because, in my opinion, when you write fiction, there's a lot more that goes into it than mere words. Do you think of it as a job as well? What would your opinion be on the same?

Michael J. Sullivan Hey Purnima - thanks for asking.

Do I consider writing "a job" - yes, because it is the thing that (a) pays the bills (b) keeps my wife from having to have a "day job" and is (c) something that I do every day.

That being said...it's without doubt "the best job" I could ever hope for. I would write even if I weren't paid to do so. In fact, if there was a tax making writers pay to write, I'd gladly get a job - any job - to make the money to pay for that privilege.

I know a lot of people like to go on vacation, to "get away from their job" - but I'm just the opposite. If I'm traveling and can't write, I get "antsy" and can't wait until I can get home to write.

When I hear other writers say, "It's hard for me to put my butt in the chair." I'm baffled. For me, it's my favorite thing to do, so I wake each day excited to write. It's like asking a child, "Do you find it hard to motivate yourself to play your favorite game?"

Now, all that being said...do I think it's easy? No. And each time I start a book there is the worry that it won't be any good. I'm constantly pushing myself to "do better" and will work and re-work something over and over because "like a job" I want to do the best I can - and I feel an obligation to the readers, who are like my "bosses." So, chore...no...difficult yes - but that's part of the appeal.

Personally, I think I'm one of the most fortunate people I know because I get to do EXACTLY what I want...and I make a living from it. I know too many people who go to jobs they hate. And it's especially difficult, when they mention there is something else they'd rather do...but they don't.

So for me, writing is a job and a love - and I can't think of anything better than that! Thanks again for asking.

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