
November is National Novel Writing Month, and you know what that means: It’s time to get cracking! If you’ve thought about writing your own book, but just haven’t had the time to really buckle down and do it, you’re in luck: NaNoWriMo was set up to inspire writers to do just that. Whether you’re writing the next great classic or simply want to get your words down on paper, these authors know what you’re going through. Let their words on writing inspire you…and then get to it!

Octavia Butler is the author of Lilith's Brood and Parable of the Sower.

Timothy Zahn is the author of the Quadrail series and the Blackcollar series.

Alice Walker is the author of The Color Purple.

John Gardner is the author of The Art of of Living & Other Stories, in addition to other books on writing.

Pearl S. Buck is the author of The Good Earth Trilogy and Imperial Woman.

Natalie Goldberg is the author of Thunder and Lightning: Cracking Open the Writer's Craft.

Rachel Carson is the author of Silent Spring and The Sea Around Us.

John Jakes is the author of The Crown Family Saga and The North and South Trilogy.

Erica Jong is the author of Fear of Flying.

Madeleine L'Engle is the author of A Wrinkle in Time and The Other Side of the Sun.