I'm a fiction writer and have never had more time or energy to do my fiction writing.

The job has its challenges, but they absolutely pale in comparison to those posed by every other job I've had (have taught college, worked construction, worked at nonprofits, waited tables, etc -- lost of stuff). This is a great line of work for an artist whose art does not make money. Simple as.

I don't think people will like this comment here, but the dirty secret about many -- not all -- tech jobs is that they truly are not that demanding. Sorry. If you (folks on this board) disagree, I recommend you try to be a teacher or do manual labor for a little while. Those jobs will suck the life out of you faster than whatever you're doing now, guaranteed, unless you're in a truly shitty and dysfunctional situation (which of course is possible, and in which case, condolences). good luck, OP! you're on a smart path.