On Nancy’s list, it’s the second bullet that I struggle with the most – the conviction that what you’re writing isn’t trivial, mundane crap. Nancy Kress on Becoming A Writer. If you’ve never had the chance, I read her Beggar in Spain series when I was in High School – damn fine stuff. For someone that professes she isn’t much of a techie or a geek, she’s writes some sci-fi that’s compelling. I’d rank her up there with Octavia Butler for all time favorites (so if you haven’t read any Butler, you better get cracking).