Stop making excuses.

Say yes when you’d rather say no.

Submit it, even if you don’t think anything will happen.

Send that email.

Go to that conference.

Write what you want to write.

Stop caring whether or not other people will like it.

Stop worrying about whether or not people will read/like/share it.

Sometimes, settle for following someone else’s directions.

But always leave room for calling your own shots.

Dare to be creative.

Write terrible things.

Write amazing things.

Write controversial things.

Write things that represent both sides of an argument.

Write because it makes you feel alive.

Write because you want to.

Write when you feel like it.

Write when you don’t feel like it.

Set a daily word count goal.

Sometimes, take days off.

Write what feels right.

Edit when you don’t feel like creating something new.

Practice writing dialogue when you’re bored.

Meet other writers online.

Try something new.

Earn your achievements.

Be proud of yourself.

Do what you think you can’t.

Be strong.

Be brave.

Don’t forget to be awesome.

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Meg is the creator of Novelty Revisions, dedicated to helping writers put their ideas into words. She is a freelance writer and a nine-time NaNoWriMo winner with work published in Teen Ink, Success Story, Lifehack and USA TODAY College. Follow Meg on Twitter for tweets about writing, food and nerdy things.