Life is creative and so are you. But when you stop participating deliberately in that creation, life seems random and you feel out of control. Take what you learn at the page and apply it to your whole life.

It’s impossible to overstate how important it is to think in small steps. After all, every novel or memoir is written one sentence at a time. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, think small. It’s how you get someplace big.

At its core, creativity must be fun. Here are the two rules for having fun that I learned while playing Dungeons & Dragons that apply to games, writing, and life.

It’s almost impossible to grasp the effect our work has in the world. Most of it happens where we can’t see it. But know that it’s happening, whether you ever learn of it or not.

Here are the three steps I take whenever I start doubting and worrying about my work.