Use these stories of writer rejections and successes to motivate yourself. This section also includes motivational tools and resources, like NaNoWriMo.

John Green Discusses Revelatory Piece of Writing Advice (2020-07-29): Author John Green discusses some revelatory writing advice he received in college in an interview on 60 Minutes.

Motivate Yourself to Write Daily with 750 Words (2018-03-26): A website called 750 Words helps motivate writers to write daily. 750 Words is equal to about three pages of writing.

J.K. Rowling Shares Rejection Letters With Fans (2016-03-25): J.K. Rowling posted two of the rejection letters she received for her first crime novel which she wrote under the name Robert Galbraith.

Octavia Butler's Inspiring Plan to be a Bestselling Author (2016-02-04): Science fiction legend Octavia E. Butler is being celebrated at the Huntington Library. Read her journal entry where she programs herself for writing success.

Debut Novel on Booker Prize Longlist Was Rejected 47 Times Before Finally Being Published (2013-07-25): Donal Ryan's debuted novel, The Spinning Heart, is on the longlist for the Man Booker Prize. It was rejected 47 times before finally being published.

Fisherman Learns to Read at 90, Becomes Published Author at 96 (2012-03-14): Lobsterman and fisherman Captain James Arruda Henry hid a secret for most of his life: he could not read or write.

Brad Meltzer, Nicholas Sparks and Jennifer Egan Talk Writing Inspiration (2011-12-27): Bestselling authors Brad Meltzer, Nicholas Sparks and Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Egan appeared on the CBS Early Show about what inspires them to write.

Lewis Black Talks About What Writing a Book is Like (2011-05-14): Lewis Black recorded this video when he was working on his book, Me of Little Faith(Riverhead, 2009).

Twilight Author Stephenie Meyer Talks About Her Path to Publication (2011-05-13): Here is a great video of Stephenie Meyer discussing the first three books in the now famous Twilight series: Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse.

The Writer Who Couldn't Read (2010-07-07): NPR created this video about an amazing story of a writer who suddenly could not read.

Scientists Discover Laziness Gene (2008-07-30): Have you ever felt that, all things considered, you'd really rather be napping? If so, it's not your fault.

NaNoWriMo Final Word Count: 982,495,939 Words (2006-12-02): The New York Times reports that the busy NaNoWriMo authors wrote a total of 982,495,939 words in November.

NaNoWriMo 2006 Is Off And Running (2006-11-02): National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo has begun.

From Alcoholic to Prize-Winning Author (2005-06-16): Being an alcoholic nearly killed him.

Writing a Book is the 4th Most Popular Goal on 43Things (2005-06-08): If you want to write a book you're not alone.

Rebecca Wells Overcomes Illness to Write Ya-Ya's in Bloom (2005-04-02): Rebecca Wells, the bestselling author of Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Little Altars Everywhere, battled chronic illness for seven years before she was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease and babesiosis, a rare, debilitating tick-borne illness with symptoms similar to malaria.

Ron McLarty and the Basement of Despair (2005-01-31): A Sydney Morning Herald article tells the fascinating stor of debut author Ron McLarty's long road to publication.

Manufacturing Inspiration (2002-06-01): Inspiration is a luxury.

Writing Life Stories for the Inspirational or Religious Markets (1999-09-01): It makes no difference what religion or spirituality essence you select, but writing a life story for the religious or inspirational markets is in demand and expanding its need for sharing life story experience in the form of books, stories, or featured articles and columns.