WHY BILL WINKE STARTED WRITING

Bill Winke writes from Centreville, Michigan, in the south-central part of the state, for 20- to 25-different magazines each year, including "Petersen's Hunting," Harris Publications, Vulcan Publications,"Outdoor Life," "American Hunter," and Game and Fish magazines.

Question: How long have you been writing?

Answer: I have been writing since 1991.

Question: What were you doing prior to 1991?

Answer: I was a mechanical engineer.

Question: Why did you decide to leave being a mechanical engineer and go into outdoor writing?

Answer: I ask myself that quite a lot. For one thing, I wanted to be self-employed. Being an engineer, you're basically working in an office, wearing a suit, going in every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's a predictable life but not exciting. I was young enough to be looking for more excitement. The whole self-employment aspect appealed to me.

Question: Why did you choose outdoor writing?

Answer: I loved to hunt. Hunting was my life, and writing for an outdoor magazine could be my excuse to hunt more.

TOMORROW: HOW BILL WINKE BEGAN WRITING

Editor's Note: To learn about writing as a profession, click on Writing on NightHawkPublications.com's home page.

Check back each day this week for more from Bill Winke...

• Day 1 - Why Bill Winke Started Writing
• Day 2 - How Bill Winke Began Writing
• Day 3 - Winke's Early Years Of Writing
• Day 4 - Winke's Secret To Becoming A Full Time Writer
• Day 5 - What's The Future Of Writing
• Writer's Page