Joe the Destroyer: Requesting for leave, sir!

[JaseSF]

Best of luck to you Joe! Really hope it all works out for you. I actually have similar aspirations myself and I know all about the self-confidence problems and how that can be a stumbling block.

[The Gravekeeper]

Best of luck to ya! I used to write a little myself, and you know what many of my mentors said? The hardest part of writing is getting started. It's easy to say you're going to write something, after all; many people say they want to write a novel or whatever, but far too few people actually sit down and do it. The sad part is that they usually do have to time; if you have time to watch some TV or surf the internet, you have time to get some writing done, after all. Hopefully you'll find a good routine that allows you to do the things have to, get some writing done and visit us once in a while.

[ChaosTheory]

Good luck Joe!  I'm an aspiring writer also (there's quite a few of us around here!)  so I can relate 
Yeah, it's true, the worst part is getting started.  You're doing the smart thing breaking from the net for a while but we'll miss you!