If you measure it, it will improve.

Way more productive, I think, to push yourself to be more in the world, not to encourage yourself to hide.

Your history of work is as important as the work you'll do tomorrow.

The biggest takeaway for anyone seeking to write is this: don't go looking for the way other authors do their work. You won't find many who are consistent enough to copy, and there are enough variations in approach that it's obvious that it's not like hitting home runs or swinging a golf club. There isn't a standard approach, there's only what works for you (and what doesn't).

The habit of doing more than is necessary can only be earned through practice.

Care. Care more than you need to, more often than expected, more completely than the other guy.

Great stories agree with our worldview. The best stories don't teach people anything new. Instead the best stories agree with what the audience already believes and makes the members of the audience feel smart and secure when reminded how right they were in the thirst place.