Everyone loses inspiration now and then—especially when it comes to writing. Many authors face writer’s block that can leave them feeling unmotivated and defeated. The same could be said about a lot of things in life: work, school, etc. Getting out of that rut can be difficult. So if you’re finding yourself trudging on Tuesday, this is the post for you!

Whether you lack motivation when it comes to writing, getting work done, or just finding that inspiration again, it’s time to reignite that spark. We picked some of our favorite motivational quotes by authors to help inspire you in writing—and in life.

“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” — Jodi Picoult

When it comes to writing, even if you don’t have it all planned out, get it down on paper anyway. You can always go back and add more, per this motto that Picoult followed when she wrote many of her award-winning novels. This quote can also be applied to more than just writing. If you’re having a bad day, sulking won’t change it. Find the motivation to edit your bad day and change it into something better, whether that’s treating yourself to something special or just taking a moment to breathe.

“And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” — Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath stayed true to herself in her works, including The Bell Jar, a semi-autobiographical novel. It took a lot of courage to write about difficult events, but she believed in what she was writing. Take that idea in your head, no matter how small, and work with it. Write it down on a sticky note for later or put together a rough draft. Let your imagination take control, even when it takes you to some wild places.

“I would like to be remembered as someone who did the best she could with the talent she had.” — J. K. Rowling

If you’re a writer, it’s easy to get down on yourself when you have a case of writer’s block. However, it’s always good to remember that you did your best. Don’t get discouraged if something doesn’t go right—rather, use that experience as motivation to continue. Take J.K. Rowling for example; Harry Potter was turned down almost a dozen times before getting picked up by a publisher. This lesson applies with any skill. It’s important to embrace your talents, no matter how many times you may fail, and do the best that you can.

“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

Inspiration is everywhere. Sometimes we forget to look at the world around us when we have so many tasks on our plate. It can distract us from the beauty of everyday life, no matter how small. Take a moment to yourself—use it to find some inspiration in places you’ve overlooked. You might just find that motivation you needed for your story, or you might see something that will brighten your day.

“Read, read, read. Read everything —trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it’s good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out of the window.” — William Faulkner

Reading can do so much! Not only can it help you de-stress, but picking up one of your favorite books and submerging into a new world can fuel your creativity. Find some time in your day to grab a book and read some pages. If you’re a writer, we wouldn’t say go as far as throwing out your manuscript—but you can always go back and edit it later.

“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.” — Octavia E. Butler

Practice makes perfect. Through hours of writing, editing, and rewriting, it’ll hone your skills. If you don’t get something right the first time, don’t let that stop you. Use it as motivation to keep writing or pursuing any dreams. Maybe you didn’t get that promotion at work, but don’t let that stop you from trying again . . . and again.

“You can make anything by writing.” — C.S. Lewis

This quote is simple but powerful. It can mean sitting down at your desk or at a coffee shop, taking out your laptop or a pen, and writing. Anything you’ve ever imagined can be created at a desk. It’s also great advice for life. What are the goals you want to make happen this year? Take a notepad and jot them down. Once you have them written, you can create a plan on achieving them.