Be specific. "Don't say "fruit". Tell what kind of fruit. Learn the names of everything: birds, cheese… — Natalie Goldberg

What is important is not just what you do - "I am writing a book" - but how you do it, how you approach it, and what you come to value.

[…] There are many realities. We should remember this when we get too caught in being concerned about the way the rest of the world lives or how we think they live.

We give a lot of names to our excuses, to the reasons we don't want to write or we're afraid to. Finally, if you want to write, you have to just shut up, pick up a pen, and do it. I'm sorry there are no true excuses. Shut up and write.

[…] It's pretty nice to be talented. If you are, enjoy, but it won't take you that far. Work takes you a lot further.

[…] In writing I have confidence. Because I say I'm going to do it and I do it. That's all. Writing is the one thing in my life I continually show up for. I have given 100 percent to writing practice. That's what builds confidence.

[…] Don't be tossed away by your monkey mind. … These little voices are constantly going to be nagging at us. If you make a decision to do something, you do it. Don't be tossed away. … Don't be thrown off by yourself or anyone else. Let your big mind move forward.

Push yourself beyond when you think you are done with what you have to say. […] It is beyond the point when you think you are done that often something strong comes out.