In the past several months, I’ve received a number of emails from aspiring writers  struggling with the creative process, asking for advice. Sharing some of what we’ve discussed here are some pointers that you may (or may not) find helpful.

1. You will not write the great American novel on your first draft. If you expect this of yourself, you will fail. First drafts are just that – a core dump of your ideas. Remember that your book (or story) is like sculpting a statue - you rough it out, and then go from there.

2. Take the time to rough out a plot. You may or may not follow it, as the book takes you where it wants to go. But it starts to help you crystallize your ideas and gives you a preliminary target.

3. Be patient. Writers are their own worst enemy, expecting perfection, forgetting perfection takes time. Instead, learn from your writing process, discover your strengths, and weaknesses, and build on that.

4. Only you can motivate yourself to write. If you’re waiting around for somebody to get you going, you could be waiting forever. The imperative to write, to create, must come from within, not without.

5. Finally, believe in yourself, even when others don’t. Taped on my computer, I have a one of many favorite quotes:  B.C. Forbes said, “History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heart-breaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.”