Work ethic vs. inspiration

There is no doubt that even the greatest musical geniuses have sometimes worked without inspiration. This guest does not always respond to the first invitation. We must always work, and a self-respecting artist must not fold his hands on the pretext that he is not in the mood. - from a letter by Tchaikovsky at Brain Pickings

It's the first twelve years that are the hardest

"Tenacity and persistence are the key to a writing career. Keep writing (regularly and seriously), and you will be published. You will get better. You will go deeper." - novelist Ann Napolitano in a mini pep talk for writers.

Overcome the timid circuits

The desire to make something beautiful, to express our luminous sensations, is not a rare drive confined to those with artistic training. We don't notice this need because we constantly suppress it, because the timid circuits of the prefrontal cortex keep us from risking self-expression. -- Imagine: How Creativity Works by Jonah Lehrer