Is writing an addiction or a passion? I've been wondering about this lately, as I spend more and more time at my computer, writing away into the wee hours of the morning. I've been writing on and off for years, and I've always had a problem pulling myself away from the computer, even at 2am... that's the best time to write. No phones, doorbells, kids screaming or other distractions... just quiet, total, beautiful quiet.

But lately I find my every waking moment consumed by writing. If I'm unable to sit down and write, I'm thinking about my next story line, or jotting keywords down on napkins while preparing dinner. I have no desire to go shopping, well, I have some desire, but not enough to outweigh my need to write.

Maybe this is nothing more than years of pent-up creativity. I spent so many hours wondering what I could do with my life to satisfy my creative itch, without realizing that writing was the answer. Too many hours were wasted wondering instead of writing.

I find myself physically stressed when I miss my usual time to write. I find it hard to tear myself away from the keyboard to answer one of my children and those books strewn about the house... they call me. Is this normal? Am I addicted or simply passionate about writing?

I don't think I'll ever know. On the other hand, I don't think I want to know. Whatever it is, I'm having too much fun, and in the end, that's all that matters.