The writer's life is romantically portrayed as a quiet, solitary existence. One must deliberate over every phrase, dedicate long hours to the muse and spend years perfecting the craft. Unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles are not uncommon and the pay is notoriously nominal. Occupational hazards may include loneliness, depression, alcoholism and/or insanity.
But this is Canada where winters are long and many children — even kids with literary bents — grow up playing hockey.