Margaret Atwood, one of my favorite fiction authors, was recently asked to give some advice to other writers. Her response was: "What you need most is courage. How you get that, I'm not sure. Just imagine that you're on a tightrope across Niagara Falls. Don't look down. One foot in front of the other, one page at a time. Never think about what other people may think of it once you've published it. And then you'll get through."

Two things really appeal to me in this quote - first, her exhortation to do it one page at a time. Not too different than gardening, is it? If all you consider is the big picture, you would be so overwhelmed you would never put a shovel in the soil. But if you take it one plant at a time, sooner or later a garden will emerge.

And Atwood's advice to not worry about the opinions of others - now if I can just remember that when I'm trying to write! or garden!

Anyone else have any quotes that inspire you that you'd like to share?

V.