Ten Things I Love -or Hate - About Being A Writer

Ah, writing, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways......

Well, number one has got to be the freedom.
2)Thinking up neat ideas and following where they lead
3) The rush of seeing my name in print - or online
4) Job satisfaction
5) Always being able to play with imaginary friends
6) The buzz of being 'in the zone'
7) Being able to meet all kinds of people and ask questions that might not be considered polite outside of an interview situation :-)
8) When people know you're a writer, they tell you things
9) Everyone expects writers to be a little weird
10) Learning so much about so many things.....

Of course, there's always a flipside....
1) the freedom - tempered by Real Life and Bills and Deadlines
2) So many ideas, so little time...
3) Knowing that everyone else sees your name, too, so there' s no hiding if you've put your foot in your mouth.
4) Job satisfaction - and all the many frustrations of rejections, edits, proposals, kill fees.....
5) When those imaginary friends become a little TOO real - like when you start sending your protagonists birthday presents....
6) The Zone is great, except when there are deadlines for other projects, kids to be fed and ferried to their activities, Real Life events, etc.
7) Not all interviews are fun. Like the ones I did in the high security wing of a prison, for example...sometimes you have to be careful what questions you ask....:-(
8) When people know you're a writer, they tell you things
9) People do expect writers to be a little weird...
10) Needing to know so much about so many things....

I'm kidding, of course - but if you're a writer, I'd love to hear your loves and hates about your chosen career...