I think it's a lot more fun than the real world. The best thing is that you have the power of life and death over everybody, and you can give yourself all the really 'hunky' guys. The worst thing about writing is that you are very lonely. You just sit in front of your computer, and you have to be alone, and occasionally talk to your dogs. I am used to writing in a newsroom filled with people, so I think that, for me, being alone and writing fiction in my house, all by myself, seems even more isolating.
Many novices begin writing in their spare time.
Well, I highly recommend moving to a town where there are no attractive, straight, single men over the age of 22. That's my strategy, and that works for me. I write all day Friday, all day Sunday, and several nights a week, too. My advice would be to set aside vast blocks of time if you can, and just write. I don't think it really is that different.