Always in progress (Random Thoughts)

What is the task of a writer? As I see it the writer could be 1) a story teller 2) an educator 3) a philosopher. The list is very long and that would be a subject all to itself. My point here is to bring attention to our task at hand. I have read several of the news letters and find them to be very insightful/helpful in helping other writers, including myself stay focused on their task by providing the encouragement to continue no matter what. Also giving them other ideas of how to write a scene. All have said the same thing in different ways, "get and keep your reader involved in the story." This set me to thinking of yet another way to say this, or it finally sunk in. The scene is from "Catch me if you can". Christopher Walkens is the father, talking to his son, played by Leonardo DeCaprio.
He ask his son. "Do you know why the Yankees always win?" To which the son thinks for a minute then answers. "'Cause they got Mickey Mantel?" "No. Its 'cause people can't stop staring at those damn pinstripes."
So with that I answer my opening question. We are the makers of those damn pinstripes that no one can stop looking at. That's how I see it anyway.

A book is a series of short stories all tied together.