I write because I don't know how to not write. It's where I find peace, answers, inspiration.  It's always amazing the reaction people have when I say I'm a writer -- what is the mystique or stigma that surrounds it?  Sometimes it's as though they're in awe, other times, it's more like, 'oh you poor thing, that means a life of struggle, drugs, alcohol, early death...'  As the young kids say, WTF is up with that?!