How do writers confront the challenges of our craft? Cigarettes and alcohol. I know that sounds like a snarky answer but it's the gospel truth. There is a reason that so many of the Greats were alcoholics. There is also a reason so many of them were mad.

I can only speak as a writer of fiction here but I believe there are similarities among all artistic mediums. But when it comes to fiction, the main struggle is keeping any manner of control over your characters. Writing a novel or a short story is like an unnatural way of giving birth. Writers have the power to create life. Immortal life, at that. It's dangerous. The characters and the stories they need told can overtake a writer.

It's a beautiful, powertful, magical process but it almost always leads to an early grave.