Just about everyone tells me they have a book in them but it's rare for most to get beyond that point. Anyone who completes a whole manuscript should pat themselves on the back. Whether it's the next great American novel or "just" a book, the fact that someone gets that far is noteworthy.
Why do we write? For me, it's something I have to do. I see the world as a writer. I find myself narrating my life to myself sometimes. Maybe that's a form of insanity. But I tried not writing and wasn't happy. I have to write. Some days it may just be a blog entry but at least it's something.
And I read. Every day. Some books [ like
The Help] make me wish I was a better writer. It certainly gave me the drive to want to be better. To try harder. And to get back at the keyboard and write more.