As an undergraduate in the 1970s I was a member of the Melbourne University Science Fiction Club, contributing to and editing the magazine, Yggdrasil, which was largely devoted to fiction. We also held writers workshops and since then I have continued to 'scribble away' at various things with the seed of the 'Anita' novels sprouting in the late 80s.
Personally, I found it impossible to write seriously while working full-time. (I have a Ph D in Physics and worked in research and have published numerous scientific articles). Always wanting to be a novelist, I took time off a few years ago to see if I had it in me to produce a novel. It worked for me and I retired properly and have dedicated myself to writing ever since.
Writing is great fun, I love it. Whenever asked I say it is 'better than reading' because I am continually surprised as the plot develops. I am definitely not an author who has a novel plotted out from start to finish. As Ray Bradbury said, 'It would be boring if you knew where it was going'. Indeed, the main protagonist in 'Anita' suddenly appeared a third of the way into the novel.
There are 4 more books on the way in the Anita Histories and I am also dabbling in some contemporary novels too. Keep tuned, because the next 3 Anita novels may come out quite quickly.