I cannot imagine constantly being in pain. Probably because I have always had periods without pain. My worst aches have been of the tooth. Whenever I was in the middle of the annoying prying sting of a toothache I always told myself to really cherish the time when the pain was absent, that I didn't know how good I had it at those times. When I didn't have the toothache I have remembered this but always was unable to be grateful for it. The only way I can feel good about the absence of pain is when the pain disappears immediately, like taking a shot of heroin. But when the heroin goes away the pain gets unimaginably worse. Damn I've got a toothache right now.

I tripped
on
a ball of wax.

And... those
are
the facts,

You swamp donkey.

writ large

There was one professional writer that I knew personally. He was a preacher who wrote about Christian doctrine, apologetics, and some theology. He was the most popular writer in the small denomination of which my family was a part. He was one of those old-time southern brimstone preachers who had the dialect of a backwoods yokel but also the learning of a lawyer. Plus, unlike most public figures, he never got caught in any personal scandals, so he could say whatever he wanted without somebody flinging mud back at him.
He once wrote an article entitled 'Advice for Young Writers'. The only bit of advice from the piece I remember was "Do not write just to write, make sure you have something to say first". Well, I disagree with you there, brother. Look at me, I have nothing to say, and I am writing, and people are reading and enjoying it. Maybe I'll say something next time.

It is excrutiating to decide to write something. Writing it is a frenzy, even if the writer keeps himself composed. Afterward, it feels good for a minute and a half.