"I was uncomfortable writing fiction. My love was the personal essay, rather than the novel"

Alain de Botton's quote recommends that he was more comfy composing individual essays than novels. This might be since individual essays enable more self-expression and exploration of one's own thoughts and sensations. It could also be since individual essays are more focused on the individual, whereas novels typically require more of a narrative structure and a more comprehensive scope. Furthermore, individual essays may be more available to readers, as they are often more relatable and much easier to understand. Eventually, Alain de Botton's quote suggests that he found more happiness and complete satisfaction in composing individual essays than novels.