Few people would associate the 32-year-old migrant worker Wang Ershi with a man of letters. Wang, who works nine hours at a construction site during the day, writes every night.

Wang's work, mainly on sexual repression and dignity of Chinese migrant workers, is earning him praise from more and more editors. He is now moonlighting by writing short stories on an e-literature website ONE founded by China's famous young writer Han Han.

Even after doing hard labor for long hours everyday, Wang said he always has an urge to write. Being deprived of sleep and the high intensity work taking its toll, Wang said he feels he is living a life "half alive, and half dead".