To the next generation #mfrwauthor

It's week 51. Only one more week to go in this year's challenge. Thanks for hanging in there with us. This week's topic is "What advice would you give a new writer just starting out?"
First off, while I practice "pass it along" and try to help the next generation of writers as I was helped, I don't like to give "advice" as such. Writing is just too individual an activity and our readers are just as varied.

There are books filled with advice of how to write the best seller. Sometimes the information is valuable, other times its just common sense. It could make you rich or fill the coffers of the one who wrote the book. However, after filtering through all the advice I've given, or received, over the years, I'll just give one. For other "words of wisdom" see the other posts in the challenge.

When you start putting thoughts to paper or sit down at a keyboard, eventually there is a question you have to answer for yourself, because no one else can. Do you write for fun, to make a living, or because you “can’t not write.” The answer can help guide you to the publication method that works best for you. Today’s writers have a wide variety of paths to publications.

Listen to your muse to see where she (or he) will take your imagination. And if they talk to you, don't forget to listen to your characters.

Writing may be hard and solitary but don’t give up.  
  ~till next time, keep writing and may the muse visit you fruitfully and often. Helen

Update:
Mary McCoy-Dressel
Robin Michaela