I find that writing has turned from a hobby to an obsession.

Has anyone else experienced that as well?

When I wrote my first novel I was unsure of myself. I remember my oldest brother commenting that a first novel is normally biographical. I instantly told him that was not the case with me. I was simply telling a story about things I knew the most about. As my fourth novel is about to come out I find that my brother was right (again!) and that it turned out that my first novel is the most biographic of them so far. Not to say that it is my life, but it is most closely related to my life. The more recent novels, including the 5th and 6th that are being written simulatenously (no simple feat!) have absolutely nothing to do with my life or anything I've ever experiened. I also find that when I'm in a situation that is different (or difficult) I wonder how that would play out in a novel. Hence my obsession. 

There are so many differenct scenarios we, as a species, go through on a daily basis that seem to be natural, that it is not often that we put ourselves in the other person's place. I guess I just have come to empathize with the underdog and by writing from their vantage point I hope that maybe someday, somewhere, someone will pick up one of these books and say, "Hey! She has a pretty good point here. Maybe we should listen to what she has to say." Or maybe I should just pull my head out of the clouds and stop wasting my time. (I sort of think that is not going to happen anytime soon!) But, it would be nice if somebody bought a book now and then!

Until then, I'lljust keep writing........