In part, because it’s a blast, and getting paid to do something that’s a blast makes me giggle maniacally.   Every once in a while, though, I’m reminded of a more important reason.  The following is reprinted with permission:

Paul I’d like to thank you for sharing your talent with all us devotees and everyone else.  Your works have helped me through a lot.  I’m going through a lot of bad stuff, one of the big ones is a rare degenerative bone disease (Osteochondritis dissecans) in both my knees and both my elbows, and which has had me on crutches since February.  I’m in constant pain all the time, much of the time is excruciating.  Now not much is known about this disease, and since mine is advanced very badly, I’ll probably need at least one knee replacement.  But the point is, your books have helped me in a kind of escape, so to speak, in dealing with what’s going on.  And it also helps me with my writing, since you have very, very good character development; hell, everything about your books is awesome.  I love all your characters, and your concepts, and the darkness in them.  There are only a few authors who can evoke emotions with their words and your one of them.  Now don’t worry about me, I’m keeping positive.  I’ve got the best people anyone could ask for, family and friends like family, helping buoy my spirits and helping me with the things I have difficulty with.  I just wanted to thank you, because without knowing it, you’ve helped me a great deal.  I can’t wait to get your Star  Wars novels, since those are the only ones I haven’t been able to get, and I can’t wait to be able to get Godborn, no matter how long the wait.  You are a one of a kind, and you’ll always have a fan here.  Thank you for your time and, again, thank you for writing.

I’m just a mid-list writer.  I get maybe 150 fan emails a year.  I value every one of them and respond personally to each.  But sometimes you get one that really touches you and this is one of them.  I had another reader once write to me to tell me that my novels had helped him get through the passing of his father, and that one hit me the same way this one did.  I’m grateful for those letters and I’ll remember both until I’m old and demented.

Anyway, just wanted to share.