[flynx]

Only being a web published author (ie no independent quality control except that which I ask for) and then only short stories, I have very limited experience of actually having to write rather than wanting to.

Deadlines for competition entries is my only experience of having to write (failed about twice in a dozen attempts) and except for accepting less than my best as I drew towards the end and the deadline I found it added to the enjoyment/excitement of writing.

Fortunately each attempt was at a time when I was 'in the groove' but I can recall several attempts at beginning a story for one of these competitions and actually giving up after a paragraph or page because I just wasn't interested in what I was writing, however good I thought my inititial storyline was.

Some years ago, a friend of mine was studying to become a dentist and asked a surgeon about the excitement and everyday thrill of slicing people open and saving their lives. The surprising answer he got in return was that eventually it became just a job.

Maybe it's about who you are rather than what you do.

Thanks for those links Anthony, very informative and no doubt helpful/horrific to many would be authors.