After years of struggling with this myself, and compiling advice as well as experience, I wanted to put together some tips (also reminders for myself) for all those writers out there. All great writers struggle with putting words on the page, but what makes them better is when they persevere.

1. Don't let it get in your head -- " Writer's Block" and any type of creative block is superstition, and nothing more. It doesn't actually exist. All writers/artists are NOT afflicted with a mystic "block" on our hands and ideas. It's really all in our heads. What we're really battling is our own monster, Resistance---the fight against not wanting to start anything, or continue, for that matter. We all go through this at some point. The trick is to not get stuck in it.

"The scariest moment is just before you start." -- Stephen King

2. Kill Your Inner Perfectionist -- This is one of the most difficult things to do. Throughout my four years of undergrad and in the midst of my first year of grad school, I battle my perfectionist daily, who doubles as my inner critic, the one who seeds my doubt and often keeps my hand from putting words to the page. I've learned that if we defeat our perfectionist, we can write and create whatever the hell comes to mind. Not all of it will be good, and probably none of it will be perfect, but that's okay. That's more than okay, because as long as we are producing, we will stumble across something truly great...but if we never produce, we won't have that opportunity. So Bye, Bye Felicia.

"Nothing you write, if you hope to be any good, will ever come out as you first hoped." -- Lillian Hellman

3. Create Anyway! -- Whether we feel like it or not, sometimes we have to force ourselves. Sit down and get to work. Don't let anything stop us---not Resistance, not procrastination, not endless excuses like the cat needs some love (you name it). We should make an effort to create something new every day. If we're writing--a few lines a day, minimum. Like I said, as long as we're producing, it means we're going somewhere. Progress feels good.

"You might not write well every day, but you can always edit a bad page. You can't edit a blank page." -- Jodi Picoult

4. Go Outside -- If we step outside of our box and observe the world around us, inspiration is always fresh at hand. No matter where we are--the countryside surrounded by trees, the leaves moving every which way in the wind, or a busy city street with thousands of people passing by each day, wearing all sorts of clothing and all sorts of faces--there are moments full of inspiration in every day life.

"If a story is in you, it has got to come out." -- William Faulkner

5. Put a Piece of Yourself in Your Creations -- Including our passions in our writing/creating often adds an extra touch, a more personal flavor that is more enjoyable. When I'm feeling stuck, I often take from what I love, which makes it a lot easier to produce ideas and get my flow going. Everyone's heard "write what you know," "do what you love," and this definitely adds a unique aspect to every piece. I enjoy leaving bits of my personality inside my own work.

"Be true to yourself and the culture you were born into. Tell your story as only you can tell it." -- William Zinser

6. Seek out a Friend -- Often ideas can be spurred by jump-starting them with others. I can't count how many times this has happened with me, where I talk to someone about my story or novel idea, any idea at all, and within moments we're brainstorming together, and everything seems so much clearer. Talking out ideas with someone can lead to new, unexpected avenues, and helps get ideas in order. Even giving work to someone for feedback can help kick start us. A support group can help keep one motivated and going strong.

"Believe in your idea. Full stop." -- Ted Botha

7. Never Doubt Yourself -- There are many times we feel incapable of continuing with something--whatever creative endeavor we are pursuing--because we are pummeled with feelings of doubt. We aren't sure it's good enough, aren't sure where to take it, what to do with it, how to make it better, etc. The laments continue. But self-doubt is the largest enemy to writing and creating. It will stop us from feeling worthy enough to produce anything, which kills the creative genius lurking inside.

"Be shocking, be bold, be daring, be passionate." -- Jane Porter

The biggest message you can take away from this, is never give up on your passion. Keep creating what you love most and see how it will blossom into much more and nourish your life. Next time you find yourself staring down that blank page or empty canvas or stage, think back to all the good work you've produced, and don't let anything stop you from creating more.