"And you're a writer because you write. There's no other definition. Don't fall into the common trap of hesitating to call yourself a writer if you haven't published a book. It can easily happen. Agatha Christie said that even after she'd written ten books, she didn't really consider herself a "bona fide author." You earn your bona fides each time you pick up a pen and write your story. So start by telling yourself you're a writer. Then tell the world. Don't mumble it, be proud of it, because to be a writer takes moxie and verve."

- Grant Faulkner Pep Talks for Writers: 52 Insights and Actions to Boost Your Creative Mojo

Grant Faulkner is the executive director of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which encourages people to take on the challenge of writing a novel during the month of November. He's also the co-founder of 100 Word Story.