The Angel's Game:

A writer never forgets the first time he accepted a few coins or a word of praise in exchange for a story. He will never forget the sweet poison of vanity in his blood and the belief that, if he succeeds in not letting anyone discover his lack of talent, the dream of literature will provide him with a roof over his head, a hot meal at the end of the day, and what he covets the most: his name printed on a miserable piece of paper that surely will outlive him. A writer is condemned to remember that moment, because from then on he is doomed and his soul has a price.
-Carlos Ruiz Zafon, The Angel's Game

That's a great opening paragraph for a novel. It sucks you right into the mind of an artist. The need to create is about the fear of death. He wants to create something that will live on after his passing from this world. Most people settle for children, but an artist wants something more.