By Leigh Ann Thomas, @LThomasWrites

The time has come for a good dose of honesty and plain talk. There’s a secret the publishing world doesn’t want us to discover.

Writing is an absurd profession—a troubling and illogical way to spend our working hours.

To prove my point, I composed a list of what would happen if I quit writing and got a real job.

• My church bulletins, napkins, and receipts wouldn’t become tattered scraps from all the notes and ideas scribbled front to back.
• The 2,127 writing utensils tucked into every drawer, handbag, coat pocket, and glove compartment could be donated to charities around the world.
• The barista at my favorite coffee shop could seat someone else at the back-left corner table.
• I wouldn’t squander precious time daydreaming (and the voices in my head could move on and haunt someone else).
• A real paycheck could be within reach.
• The question, “What do you do?” would be easier to answer.
• My beleaguered brain could enjoy much-needed downtime because I wouldn’t awaken during the night to record unforeseen brilliance.
• My marriage would improve because I wouldn’t awaken during the night to record unforeseen brilliance.
• I would save on electricity because I wouldn’t awaken during… (well, you know).
• I could watch movies without rewriting scenes in my head.
• I could use clichés and passive voice without shame.
• I wouldn’t have to promote or market my books. Ever.
• Query letters, proposals, edits, rewrites, and rejection slips would be annoying things of the past.
• My “platform” could be dismantled to make room for a new deck or fire pit or something.
• The money spent on conferences could be earmarked for exotic vacations (another marriage perk).

The verdict is in. The decision to put pen to paper on a regular basis is ill-advised and illogical—a path fraught with emotional ups and downs and enough caffeine to power the phones and laptops of the faculty of a major writing conference.

But the real truth of the matter?

Even on the toughest days, I wouldn’t trade one moment of this crazy, unpredictable life.

Besides, there’s a back-left corner table with my name on it.

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What would you add to the above list? What would you miss about the writing life?

Leigh Ann Thomas is a wife, mother, grammy, and the author of three books, including Ribbons, Lace, and Moments of Grace—Inspiration for the Mother of the Bride (SonRise Devotionals). She is a contributing author in ten books and a regular contributor to Just18Summers.com and InTheQuiver.com. She has also published with Southern Writers Suite T, The Write Conversation, Power for Living, AlmostAnAuthor.com, and three editions of Southern Writers Best Short Fiction. You can find Leigh Ann on her front porch daydreaming story plots or blogging at LeighAThomas.com.