As a writer myself, I can't say that I don't write for most of the reasons mentioned thus far. Actually, I can kind of understand why. A lot of the readers out there have probably read many stories before ours, and are looking for something different, something that really sets it apart from the rest, or if it sates their interest in something specific. Some will comment on one they find worthy to comment on, some will be thoughtful enough to leave a comment regardless, and others will be asanine and make bad comments because they didn't like something non-technical about it.
As far as I'm concerned, I'm more concerned about producing something that people can enjoy. The problem with that, with a rating feature/poll aside, is that comments are one of the best ways to know if anyone enjoys your work. Other than many other reasons that I have, a part of the whole reason for why it's hard for me to write anything is because I doubt my ability to do so. Which, I'm sure, isn't an alien feeling to other people out there...
Of the few stories that I've actually finished and shown to the public (I have a ton of unfinished stuff that no one will ever see, most likely), only one ever really got much of a response, and most of it was in secret, by the judges. ^_^; I may write another some day... If I ever have enough enthusiasm/inspiration/whatever to do it. I have hundreds on the backburner of my mind, never put down on paper... Or word program... Well, you know what I mean. <.<;
In the end, I'll just go my regular route and be a hypocrite by saying this: "The pen is mightier than the sword, so write against whatever demons/reasons that prevent/discourage you."
Of course, my pun is mightier than the pen... You can borrow it, if anyone wants to. :O