Creativity requires the ability to confront oneself during the least appealing moments, suggesting that the easier path is often inaction. In the realm of writing, the author emphasizes that the process typically begins with a mess, describing early drafts as "bawling, ugly, terrible" and noting that they can remain unsatisfactory for an extended period.

Unlike cooking, where even raw ingredients can be transformed into a finished dish, writing feels more like an attempt to salvage something from rotten components. This analogy highlights the struggle writers face in creating something meaningful from their initial attempts, which can often be flawed and unrefined.