I have never copied so many quotes out of a book before. "The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation Into the Writing Life" by Julia Cameron not only inspired me, but also calmed and centered me. Ms. Cameron ascribes to the belief that everyone is a writer, that everyone is creative and has the right to express that creativity. They should not be discouraged from doing something they enjoy. Writers aren’t this special elite group set up high on an ivory tower with their jealous muses, but just people who work every day to create something. She talks about overcoming writers’ block, depression, discouragement, and many of the other evils that plague those in the arts. But most of all, she urges you to never give up and write every day.

I don’t agree with everything in "The Right to Write." For example, while I do think anyone can write if they want to, that doesn’t mean they will write well or be publishable. You may have the right to write, but that doesn’t mean I want everything others written, no matter how poor, shoved in my face and expect nothing but praise. (I take the giving and receiving of constructive criticism very seriously.) I don’t think that everyone has the mind or imagination or drive of a writer.