“If you are not afraid of the voices inside you, you will not fear the critics outside you.”

“Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open.”

“It's okay to embark on writing because you think it will get you love. At least it gets you going, but it doesn't last. After a while you realize that no one cares that much. Then you find another reason: money. You can dream on that one while the bills pile up. Then you think: "Well, I'm the sensitive type. I have to express myself." Do me a favor. Don't be so sensitive. Be tough. It will get you further along when you get rejected.Finally, you just do it because you happen to like it.”

“Trust in what you love, continue to do it, and it will take you where you need to go.”

“And don't worry too much about security. You will eventually have a deep security when you begin to do what you want.”

“This is your life. You are responsible for it. You will not live forever. Don't wait.”

“Know that you will eventually have to leave everything behind; the writing will demand it of you.”