My relationship with writing is a lot like the one I used to have with women: I hate it sometimes, and it hates me all the time. But I still spend most of my time trying to figure it out.
When I'm writing, I realize that most people won't get the zany pop culture references, the backhanded shots at American institutions, or the fact that almost all of my stories, in even the subtlest of ways, are based on my need to be self-deprecating on a daily basis.
What I hate about writing is that I can always be better. There's no realistic measurement of success. Want to be a New York Times Best-Seller? Well, there's always the James Frey or Jonah Lehrer approach.
Where's the honesty gauge?
I'm telling you that the gauge is broken, because it's actually not in the competitive sense of units sold, or in the ability to buy a boat, but in the commitment to creating something real. Real lasts, awards don't… And there's always a new list.
If you're a no-talent hack espousing the vitues of your massive ballpoint pen size, I'm probably going to laugh your ink off the page.
But if you're the greatest of our time and you're living and working like it, you're dangerous, and you're probably going to succeed without anyone's help.
No one understands writing except writers.
We have the opportunity to leave an indelible mark on every person who ever reads any piece by us, good or bad. We change the world daily, but very few of us will achieve the success of a Tolkien or Rowling.
It is our words that immortalize us.
Muhammad Ali. "The Greatest" himself is the answer. Ali BELIEVED it. Sure, he had the talent to back up 99% of his claims, but he LIVED it before anyone else did.