Writer's guilt

I understand that guilt, but it sounds like you are still doing what you need to do to provide for your family.

Do not feel guilty about time spent writing. Even if you never get published, you are creating something. Even if only your wife and children read it, you have created something they can hold and know you created these stories.

I have a folder in my cabinet of letters from my mother. I know I will want to read her voice one day. I know I will want to see her handwriting, so I have a file for personal correspondence.

And who knows? I think publishing is getting easier these days. Your stories may find a home. Who knows if it will make you any money, but it might give you a bit of satisfaction.

Sometimes I do. I try to do actual work, so I'm bringing in SOME money, but my health doesn't allow me to do much. And Jos is so good about it. He keeps saying to me 'even if you never succeed, you were brave enough to try. And you're happy. I love you, that's what matters to me.'

So yeah, I feel guilty over it, like I'm living off him or something.

But that's not what it is. If the situations were reversed, I'd do the same. If you're lucky enough to be able to afford to do this, and your wife is OK with it, and the writing doesn't hit into family time, you have nothing to feel guilty about.