The difference between “hobby” and “work”, it has been said, is that you do a hobby for pleasure only, but you are paid for work. The reality is a little more complex.

For a very long time, I viewed writing as a hobby. Or at least, I assumed it would and could only be a hobby until someone paid me to do it. It wasn’t until recently that I came to a very different conclusion – no one was going to treat my writing as work – or a job, or a profession – until I did it first.

Work carries with it a strong sense of intention, and a good amount of obligation. Work means this is more than just for fun, it’s more than just easy come, easy go. Work means commitment and willingness to do the unpleasant and boring parts of your goal. Work, above all, means that your dreams are worthy of your effort and dedication.

The professional has learned that success, like happiness, comes as a by-product of work. The professional concentrates on the work and allows rewards to come or not come, whatever they like.
― Steven Pressfield, The War of Art

After years of putting my writing second to my day job, my “real job”, I have finally decided to make it what it should be – a second job, real and dedicated work toward my goal. This has meant a mental shift and attitude change, as well as organization, scheduling, and setting a certain amount of hours aside from everything to dedicate to this job. I am doing the parts of the job that I had put off – reading, researching, networking, building a presence. It finally feels real.

Today is day one. Today I clock in as Author.