When I tell someone I’m a writer, I always expect them to say, “What have you written?” or “Have you written anything I might have read?” That would be my first question if someone I didn’t recognize told me he or she was a writer. Instead, I usually hear about the person’s writing aspirations. It always amazes me when someone tells me they have a desire to write. So many of us want to write, that I can’t believe there isn’t more writing out there in the world.

When blogging first hit, I knew it would become instantly popular. Because everyone, it seems, has a story they’d like to tell. The variety of people and writing styles in this world is truly amazing.

If you’re a “closet writer,” you might wonder how to get the job of writing done. Whether writing for a blog, working on a novel, or just trying to make a living as a freelancer, the best advice often comes from the ones who did it before you and are successful. Here are a few great words from some inspiring writers.