“Becoming a writer is about becoming conscious. When you’re conscious and writing from a place of insight and simplicity and real caring about the truth, you have the ability to throw the lights on for your reader. He or she will recognize his or her life and truth in what you say, in the pictures you have painted, and this decreases the terrible sense of isolation that we have all had too much of.”

– Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

Her comments on writing apply equally to any creative endeavor — writing a song, making a painting or a quilt or a gorgeous birthday cake. Art matters. Remember that.