Being an author might not be the highest-paying job in the world, but it definitely is satisfying. Despite writer’s block and the competition out there, it is a wonderful feeling to be an entrepreneur and take control of your life, and writing allows you to do that. Whether you aspire to write a thriller, an autobiography or a romantic novel, use these quotes to inspire you to write!

Ever wondered what to write? There are so many genres out there, and deciding what to pen down is hard to decide. Write about what makes your heart beat faster. When you’re passionate about something, you will produce your best work. Now, fill those blank pages!

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”

― William Wordsworth

Aren’t there enough books out there? If you think along these lines and ponder why you should write a book, then Annie Proulx, author of Barkskins, has the answer. She also mentions how reading and writing are correlated.

“You should write because you love the shape of stories and sentences and the creation of different words on a page. Writing comes from reading, and reading is the finest teacher of how to write.”

― Annie Proulx

There are a few rules you should follow when you want to write a book. Being a successful author is not a piece of cake; it takes dedication, persistence and unwavering focus.

“There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.”

― W. Somerset Maugham

Try to phrase your sentences, such that they are interesting and play with the imagination of the reader.  At the same time, you don’t have to use complicated words. Grammatically correct and simple sentences are usually enough to get your message across.

“Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”

― Anton Chekhov

“Any word you have to hunt for in a thesaurus is the wrong word. There are no exceptions to this rule.”

― Stephen King

Remember that the first draft of your book is just that. It is not the manuscript and will need to be professionally edited before it is published. Keep working on your book till it is free of errors and you are satisfied with it. Sometimes, this can take several weeks to months.

“A good book isn’t written, it’s rewritten.”

― Phyllis A. Whitney, Guide to Fiction Writing

But just like every other job, remember that being a writer has its cons! You have to combat writer’s block, never lose confidence and stay ahead of the competition. You can find several tips on Notion Press Academy. Here’s the last quote:

“Being a writer is a very peculiar sort of a job: it’s always you versus a blank sheet of paper (or a blank screen) and quite often the blank piece of paper wins.”

― Neil Gaiman

Stay inspired. Be confident and keep writing! A successful writer isn’t made overnight – it is a long journey, one that probably revolves around several sheets of crumpled paper and overflowing dustbins.