Answer (1):  Read Elizabeth Gilbert’s essay Some Thoughts on Writing.

Elizabeth Gilbert wrote the multi-millon-copy best seller Eat Pray Love. 

In her essay, Some Thoughts on Writing, she gives wise and inspiring advice to all aspiring writers ( and would-be-creators of anything fine and beautiful):

Elizabeth Gilbert

SOME THOUGHTS ON WRITING

Sometimes people ask me for help or suggestions about how to write, or how to get published. Keeping in mind that this is all very ephemeral and personal, I will try to explain here everything that I believe about writing. I hope it is useful. It’s all I know.

I believe that – if you are serious about a life of writing, or indeed about any creative form of expression – that you should take on this work like a holy calling. I became a writer the way other people become monks or nuns. I made a vow to writing, very young. I became Bride-of-Writing. I was writing’s most devotional handmaiden. I built my entire life around writing. I didn’t know how else to do this. I didn’t know anyone who had ever become a writer. I had no, as they say, connections. I had no clues. I just began.Click here to read the whole essay.

Answer (2): Watch Elizabeth Gilbert’s 19-minute TED video: A new way to think about creativity.  

“Eat, Pray, Love” Author Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses — and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person “being” a genius, all of us “have” a genius. It’s a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk.”