Saw an interview with an award-winning writer on the Colbert show. He said that he prefers to write his novels by hand, in handwriting, because it forces him to take his time. I've noticed this about myself too.

He also said that he had not had any tragedy in his life - although he became a father at a young age. He would imagine the worst things that could happen to his loved ones, then made them happen to his characters. He said that not having tragedy didn't make him a bad writer - but I think it's clear he's "lived" a lot, anyway.