Memo: Writing fiction Vs Humility

Writing fiction is the easiest thing to do. Take a blank sheet, open up a word processor, write down and then you're done. Writing good enough fiction is the hardest thing though. In the land of the self-professed geniuses, you will have hard time to draw interest to your work.

There has been almost four thousand people on my blog so far and maybe a hundred took the time to read one of my fiction episodes. Henry Rollins said: "It'll destroy you if you try to make it mean anything to anyone but yourself." I guess he's right. It's easy to get carried away when you read Palahniuk, Dick, Thompson or Lehane, it's easy to want to be as meaningful as they are but being meaningful is the greatest challenge you will ever face.

Writers have to be ready to see their hearts stomped many times by the rare people that will take time to read and to criticize their work. I find that writing, like martial arts in a constant exercise in humility. You have to go back to the drawing board again and again. The important part is to figure how without losing faith in your tale. Writing fiction is the hardest thing I've ever had to do.