But that's the point, why is it so ridicuous? Because these writers are too good, and there was never a point in time where they were young and learning their craft? Kafka got those questions anyway, I'm sure, and I'd like to think that he had enough vision to take them for what they were worth and move on. The point of workshop is not to appease the other members. Any good workshop instructor says that on the first day.

Nobody has a problem with the idea of Michelangelo studying painting and sculpture under Florentine masters, and nobody would dare say that because he didn't teach himself to do these things that his Pieta is any less beautiful, or that he is any less a great artist. What's the difference?