Note: Some of the contributors below have since passed on; their names are proceeded by a (D).

“Don’t share your ambitions with anybody who you sense is going to be negative about them.” — Clive Barker, author

“It’s a matter or prioritizing.” — Stephen J. Cannell (D), television writer and producer, author

“At the core is wonder.” — Andrei Codrescu, author

“I realized I could learn anything that I wanted to learn.” — Tom Cruise, actor

“If you are able to take care and provide, the muses are going to speak to you better.” — Richard Paul Evans, author

“Do something every day, whether you think it’s good or not.” — Alan Dean Foster, author

“The purpose of story is to illuminate” — Father Andrew Greeley (D), priest, author

“You are who you say you are. I was a writer long before I sold the first short story.” — Laurell K. Hamilton, author

“It was a night for dreaming.” — Stephen King (There should be time for plenty of dreaming over the next few weeks or months — Joel)

“The inspiration and the nagging need to write is what it takes to do what I’ve done.” — Jonathan Kirsch, author

“If you do something that you have a passion for, you’re going to get really good at it, and the money will come.” — Kelly Lange, television news producer and anchor, author

“Each job has its own special joy.” — Sir Ian McKellen, actor

“Don’t ever let anyone tell you no.” — Brad Meltzer, author

“Have a real open mind and always want to learn.” — David Meltzer, newsletter writer

“If you don’t realize how badly you’re bucking the odds, you’ll be better off.” — Thomas Perry, author

“You have to be kind of clueless as to how tough it is.” — Robert Hayes, actor

“Don’t take yourself too seriously.” — David Hess (D), actor

“Strive for your goals and save your money!” — Larry Holmes, boxer

“The mansions are within.” — Sally Kirkland, actress

“Where did you get all this drive? Poverty.” — Ernest H. Martin (D), Broadway producer

“Drive and ambition will do it every time.” — Wink Martindale, game show host

“Minimize the gamble.” — Gene Perrett (D), writer

“If you stick with it, your talent will carry you as far as it can.” — Russ Streiner, actor

“Just know who you are.” — Dee Wallace Stone, actress

My three Ps: Passion, Patience, Perserverence.” — Robert Wise, director

“Do it when you’re young and single.” — Doug Preston, author

“If you spend a lot of time despising your real life, you’ll have much less time to follow your dream life.” — Carolyn See (D), author

“You have to make the time and sacrifice.” — Lisa See, author

“Be tenacious and talk to everybody.” — Nancy Tellum, former television network executive

“You will have to find time.” — Stuart Woods, author

“It’s not about taking defeat personally.” — Mike Connors (D), actor

“Will I die if I don’t do this?” — Ted Donaldson, actor

“You really have to love what you’re doing.” — Jamie Farr, actor

“Work breeds work.” — Larry Hagman (D), actor

“In the end, you can’t do it unless you can imagine it.” — George Lucas, writer-director, producer