I'm working on a DWR right now (and have been for a little while). It isn't easy, but it isn't impossible either.
The pattern I'm using is paper pieced and from McCall's:
http://www.mccallsquilting.com/patte....html?idx=6913
I did paper piece the arcs by machine, but I am not paper piecing anything else and have switched to hand piecing the arcs to the "melons", etc.
I am of the school that says do whatever inspires you and learn the skills you need to do it along the way. It takes me longer to get where I'm going sometimes, but if I want it enough I always get there!