Ten Reasons Writing Rocks!

I know that some of you are lucky enough (or crazy enough) to be professional writers. In other words, writing is your only source of income. It's your day job.

You are awesome.

For the rest of us, writing can probably be best categorized as a hobby. "Hobby" is kind of a funny term. It brings to mind geeky little boys building model cars and old ladies in red hats scrapbooking. Both of these activities are fine but I don't feel they garner the passion and dedication that many of us have for writing. And since I'm sure as hell not making any money writing, I think that it does classify as a hobby.

But what a hobby! Writing is the best damn hobby since sniffing markers! Don't believe me? Here's ten reasons why writing is the best damn hobby in the world!

1. You can do it anywhere. Stuck waiting at the DMV? No problem. Just whip out your laptop and you're crafting the next great American novel. Don't like the DMV? Then teleport your ass to a tropical dessert island. In between messages and mai tais you can whip out our notebook and *BOOM* you are writing my friend. How cool is that?
2. It's cheap. Sure I'd love to get into scuba diving or hang gliding but dropping a couple grand on equipment means I'm not eating for the next couple months. And I like eating. If you're reading this then you have a computer. That means you have everything you need to write a funny poem you never show anyone or a manuscript destined for a six-figure book deal.
3. You don't need to be in shape. Seriously, if you're too fat to write then you're probably not going to survive the next 24-hours anyway.
4. It's tough to get killed writing. I've never heard anyone say, "It's sad that he's gone but hey, he knew the risks of writing."
5. Writing inspires. Between the job, the kids, your asshole neighbor, bill collectors, and bad sitcoms, it can be tough to maintain any level of creativity. But if modern life sucks the creativity out of you then writing can put it back.
6. You're never too old (or to young) to write. Isaac Asimov published works in multiple genres up to (and past) his death at 72 years old and a 12 year old girl in Michigan just published her first novel. If you've got the whit and the grit, you can write.
7. It sure as hell beats scrapbooking. Seriously, nobody wants to see your vacation pictures, no matter how fancy you cut the construction paper.
8. You can do it high or drunk. I'm not recommending either and personally, I think my writing would tank if I tried it, but it can be done. Some writers make a career out of it.
9. Social or no. Writing can be as social an activity as you want it to be. Want to live in a shack out in the woods living of mushrooms and raccoon meat? Fine. Want to administer three blogs, a facebook page, a twitter account, attend conferences, host writing workshops, and enter into a polygamous relationship with four other writers? Go nuts.
10. Writing leaves a legacy. Unless your family burns all your worldly belongings upon your demise, chances are you will leave some of your thoughts, feelings, and creativity behind in what you wrote. That's pretty cool.

Got any more? What did I miss?