My read on why writing a book is seductive is more cynical: most people believe that writing a book is an achievement and signifies something about the writer -

My read on why writing a book is seductive is more cynical: most people believe that writing a book is an achievement and signifies something about the writer -- depth of thought and feeling, intelligence, vague specialness, etc. So writing a book seems like a fine way to transform an unspecial life into a special one. What's even better: from the outside, anyone can write a book. We all tell stories, most of us can read and write, and those are the only technical requirements. By contrast, when you're 50 you know there's just no viable path to say becoming a surgeon or painting like the old masters or finally writing that symphony. The skill barriers are just too obvious and high. But you can start writing a book today, and indisputably, you'll be writing a book.