Put the words on the page.

They’ll never be perfect, especially not the first time you write them down but guess what? You can’t edit what’s not there. And each time you edit they’ll get better. Each class you take, each article you read, each author you talk to will make you a better writer so every time you write a word for the first time, it will be a little bit better than the last time.

Remember why you started writing.

It wasn’t to make a fortune or acquire fame. You wrote because you loved telling stories. They were just bursting inside of you and your fingers couldn’t contain them any longer so you have to put them down on paper or you would just explode. The characters screaming inside your head needed life, needed a voice and you could give them that.

When someone says you can’t respond, “Actually, I can.”

Do not listen to anyone who says you can’t be a writer. You’re already a writer. Maybe your path to publishing will be different than others if you choose to pursue it. That’s ok. But don’t forgo the pursuit because someone says you can’t do it. You can.

Write because not being a writer is not an option.