An understanding family is absolutely essential if you ask me, especially as my books, ultimately, are for them. My wife enjoys (almost) everything I write, and my children (5 and 9) urge me to write because they love the books aimed at them. My 9 year old actually wants to become a film director so he can make films of my books, and although the 5 year old is too young at present for any of my writing, he knows their basic premises and knows they have been written FOR him.

I also agree completely with the hidden opportunities to write point. Internet distraction is a nightmare too. Speaking of which, time to end this comment.