What Makes a Writer?

Why are writers always tortured?  Does it really takes a hard life to truly have insight?  I was reading an article from the Jan. 6, 2013 issue of the New York Times Magazine about George Saunders and how he is "a writer for our time."  Amongst other things mentioned, the article states that Saunders was a good friend of David Foster Wallace - and spoiler alert - he committed suicide. Sylvia Plath notably killed herself, along with the lesser known John William Polidori and Edgar Allen Poe purportedly had a drinking problem.

So does it take an overwhelming depression to write great literature?

I wonder this because, since I have aspirations of being a writer, I occasionally wonder if I'm not tortured enough.  Has my happiness in life really caused me an inability to write, to understand the world, to really see.  I've read about dark things, flirted with my own temperamental nature, and certainly tried to understand human nature.  But is none of that enough to really make a good writer?  One who will be remembered to discussed in English classes across the country?

Actually, I don't think so.  For one thing, what exactly can be defined as great literature?  While at one point I would have said that what defined good literature was what was discussed in my college courses would have been considered the greats, I've come to learn in recent years that I disagreed in part with what my teachers were trying to show me.  That what we read had merit and interest at the time of my class, I would forget later.  It wasn't memorable.  The words on some of those pages hasn't stuck with me.  In my not so humble opinion, what makes a good (or great) writer, is one that produces something that resonates with people.  Something people all over remember and repeat, and even tattoo onto themselves.

I know I'm making way for the debate that the J.K. Rowlings and the Stephenie Meyers of the world are great writers, but I suppose, in their own right, that they are (though it pains me to say it).  Mostly, writing is about saying something.  And if people listen, then I guess that makes you pretty good.