Octavia E. Butler

In order to rise
From its own ashes
A phoenix
First
Must
Burn.

When your rage is choking you, it is best to say nothing.

All that you touch
You Change.
All that you Change
Changes you.
The only lasting truth
is Change.
God
is Change.

In order to rise from its own ashes, a Phoenix first must burn.

First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you're inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won't. Habit is persistence in practice.

People have the right to call themselves whatever they like. That doesn't bother me. It's other people doing the calling that bothers me.

You don't start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it's good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. 
That's why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.

All struggles are essentially power struggles. Who will rule? Who will lead? Who will define, refine, confine, design? Who will dominate? All struggles are essentially power struggles,and most are no more intellectual than two rams knocking their heads together.