Yup, people embarking on PhDs need to be committed. Preferably somewhere with nice, comfy padded walls ;-)

And yes, it is a book - and unlike a novel, people tend to get pissed off if you make up characters partway through. Still, I think I've got a pretty good topic and the motivation and plans to keep going with - plus things to do at the end, so I don't suddenly end up with a huge thesis-shaped hole in my life and nothing to fill it with. We'll see how it goes, ne?