"But a lot of writers - and I'm one of them - do tend to feel dissatisfied. It makes you a little hard to live with, but it's a goad and does keep you alert and restless"

Tobias Wolff's quote speaks with the nature of the writing life. It is a life of discontentment, a feeling of never quite being pleased with the work that has actually been produced. This discontentment can make writers hard to live with, as they are continuously striving for excellence. However, this dissatisfaction can likewise be a favorable force, as it keeps writers alert and uneasy, pushing them to create better and much better work. It is a tip that the writing life is a journey, which the very best work is frequently the outcome of a long and tough process. The quote speaks to the concept that writers need to accept their dissatisfaction and use it as a tool to produce terrific work.