It's true, I don't want to be a writer

It's almost 8pm on Wednesday evening, and I've decided about 5 minutes ago to write this post for tomorrow. A Thursday post, which I almost never do. But this week, I'm going to. Why? Why the hell not? I want to, and that's the bottom line.

I've come to a realization lately. I don't want to be a paid writer, and this flies in the face of what I assumed would come true before I called it quits from full-time work. In fact, I don't even want it a little bit. No temptation, at all. It all seemed to disappear lately, and I think this post is the reason why.

I enjoy writing. I really do. But, I like to write on my own terms, not somebody else's. Not another company's. Not another person's. When it comes to writing, it's all about me - and, I make no apologies for that. When I feel inspired to write, I'll write. If I feel less inspired, I won't.

It's a beautiful thing to have that kind of control over the energy that we put into the things we do every day. I hate schedules. I hate knowing that I have to do something, especially when it comes to something creative. Being creative is about branching out and trying new things. Throwing caution to the wind and just splashing some paint on your canvas without any hardened plan or outline about what the finished result might look like.

Writing is a creative endeavor, and creativity needs to be unrestrained for me.

I felt inspired to write tonight, and so I did. It does not matter if my traditional posting schedule would only have me throw out a new article every Monday and Wednesday (and an occasional Friday). I won't be beholden to some schedule, even if that schedule is my own! I don't want to be boxed in, especially by my blog.

When I feel like writing, I'll write

It sounds touchy-feely, and in a way I suppose that it is. But, I love the idea of writing because I want to write, not because I need to churn out copy for another resource - even for compensation.

What happens when we make our hobbies our job? They no longer hold the same appeal, do they? It happened with me throughout my career in  Information Technology. I loved working with computers growing up, but after I started actually working with computers, they instantly lost their luster. Instead of something fun, it because a job. My job. I had arbitrary schedules to contend with. Requirements that would change at a moment's notice. Customers to please. Bosses to appease. Every time I looked at a computer, I thought about WORK.

I don't want writing to suffer that same fate. I want to continue enjoying this "business" of writing - writing when I want, about whatever topics I want and posting them whenever I please. I can do without all the schedules.

Are you a writer at heart? Would you take a position as a paid writer for blogs around the Internet, where schedules control your week and topics are handed down to you by editors and bosses? If so, do you love it?