[zapperdapper]

Do you have to change your career to become a writer? I would focus on becoming a writer, and then if it works out change your career.

Also, it depends what kind of writer you want to become - some options are easier than others. For example, would you classify a journalist as a writer? Is technical writing "writing"?

Barry Eisler is a good example of a writer who broke into writing gradually. A former lawyer, it took him 7 years to get his first book published. He wrote in lunch breaks, on flights, after the kids went to bed. He had to re-write that first book at least twice based on feedback from agents/publishers.

Ted Chiang is an example of a technical writer who changed into science fiction writing.

I changed from teaching into technical writing.

How you will change into writing (which I assume is what you want) will depend on your starting point and how far down the road to becoming a writer you already are.

p.s. Have a read of "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert - I believe there's much of value in her suggested approach.