This post is #11 in a series of 50 dedicated to the art and life of writing, in support of the 50 for 50 Project to benefit WriteGirl. If you like it, or if you think it could have been improved by a better writing education for its author, please give generously. And pass it on.

When what you write makes you cry,
keep writing.

When the words are coming slowly,
or too quickly,
or not at all,
keep writing.

When the stories won't tell themselves
the way they showed up in your head,
dammit,
keep writing.

When you are tired
or bored
or sad
or angry

when you are freshly dumped
when you are floating on air

when you are wicked
when you are good
when you are stuffed
when you are starving
when you are sure
there is not one more thing in the world to say,
keep writing.

You are not here to be significant
or meaningful
or even great—
you are here because the pen
cannot do it without you.

So pick it up
and park your ass
and write
and write
and write.

xxx
c