* Gerund: "Writing" is the gerund in this sentence. It's a verb form ending in "-ing" that functions as a noun.
* Function: The gerund "writing" acts as the subject of the sentence. It's what the sentence is about.
* Noun: There isn't a separate noun in this sentence that directly refers to the act of writing. However, "short story" acts as a noun phrase modifying the gerund "writing."
* Function: The noun phrase "short story" tells us what kind of writing is being discussed.
Here's how you could rephrase the sentence to highlight the noun use:
"The writing of a short story can be hard work when you are not ready for it."
In this version, "writing" is now functioning as a noun on its own, and the phrase "of a short story" further describes the type of writing.