An early topic

I'm out of town for a few days, so your topic is early. It's a writing topic this week.

We've all experienced our share of writing disappointments -- rejection letters, that sense of "why the hell am I bothering with this?"

What keeps you going? Do you have a big dream, a major goal you're shooting for? Is this a Life Dream (to be published), or is there something else that's driving you (a compulsion to write, etc.)

I'm curious ... what keeps you going?