When you write as a hobby, you don’t have to let the outside world see it. You don’t have to expose it to criticism, where it might not hold up to the harsh light. When you write as a hobby, you can hone your craft as you see it, learning your personal shortcomings and polishing what you see as the rough spots or weaknesses in your craft or ability. Writing as a hobby is a secret garden where your ideas flourish and skills are explored. You have some wild things growing there, but you don’t care; it your hobby, right? Maybe that wild thing will die or it might turn a mild obsession.

When you write as a job, everyone sees your work and you must suffer the slings and arrows. When you write as a job, you can hone your craft as others see it, learning what others see as your shortcomings and polishing your rough spots or weaknesses in your craft or ability. Writing as a job is public garden, where anyone can walk in to trample or enjoy your ideas. Less things flourish here, but the rarer things of beauty stand out and have well walked paths.

Writing as a hobby is the road from beginner to journeyman. Writing as a job is the road from journeyman to master. When you write as a master, you write for yourself, for you understand all that you are capable of from within and without.