Goodreads asked A.F.E. Smith:

What’s the best thing about being a writer?

A.F.E. Smith Why, thank you for asking, Goodreads automatic question-poser. I would have to say the never-ending feeling of self-doubt and crushing inadequacy.

Seriously, though, aside from consistently worrying you’re not good enough – which, let’s face it, isn’t a problem restricted to those of us who aspire to authordom – being a writer is pretty great. You get to spend time with your imaginary friends without being called weird (at least to your face). You get to explore and play with ideas and words and the ‘what if’. Most importantly, you get to add a touch of enjoyment to other people’s lives.

You know … there are books that I love, that I feel privileged to have read, that changed my life; and there are a whole lot more books that didn’t have the same shattering impact but nevertheless were a wonderful way to spend a few hours. If my own writing can fall into the second category for a handful of people – or even, dare I say it, into the first category for one or two – then I will have done my job. And that’s the best thing about being a writer: the possibility that someone might lose themselves in one of my books and feel all the better for it.

Plus, I have a good excuse to eat lots of snacks. Because chocolate helps me think better. Really.

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