Weltschmerz, 61

Exorcising demons Someone once described writing that way and it's true. I've completed two scifi novels in a trilogy (working on the third) inspired by the ELO album, "Time". I wrote them in my head for 20 years until I finally could not bear to go any longer without putting it on paper.

I was compelled, for lack of a better word. It took me 5 years to finish them both; I then spent another year shopping them to a few dozen agents. Unsuccessfully, as it turned out...so now I'm trying novel writing competitions to see if one of the small publishing houses will bite.

Even if I never succeed, I love the process of writing and can't imagine giving it up.