Do you find it hard to get ideas or start writing? Lots of people–even famous authors–share the same problem. Here are some of my favorite quotations from writers and others about coming up with ideas, writing and not writing.

Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don’t see any. – Orson Scott Card

Don’t worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good, you’ll have to ram them down people’s throats. – Howard Aiken

If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word. – Margaret Atwood

Nighttime is really the best time to work. All the ideas are there to be yours because everyone else is asleep. –  Catherine O’Hara

Don’t get it right, just get it written. – James Thurber

If you’re going to be a writer, the first essential is just to write. Do not wait for an idea. Start writing something and the ideas will come. You have to turn the faucet on before the water starts to flow. – Louis L’Amour

The art of writing is the art of applying the seat of the pants to the seat of the chair. – Mary Heaton Vorse

Lower your standards and keep writing. – William Stafford

I only write when I am inspired. Fortunately I am inspired at 9 o’clock every morning. – William Faulkner

Do you have a favorite quotation that motivates or inspires you to write?