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Hey Reader,

This is a quote I’m fond of sharing because it debunks a big myth about inspiration. Unfortunately, it also suggests success in writing is down to habits.

Somerset Maugham was incredibly prolific and successful for a variety of reasons and one of them was that he started writing every morning at 9am BUT that wasn’t a habit.

That was discipline. Plus a desire, ability, and need to write.

Maugham had a lot to say about creating a writing habit. But he didn’t have a writing habit, and nor do I. Nor do you.

Simply joining the 5am club and vowing to write every day isn’t going to work because a) getting up at 5am is diabolical and b) writing is a complex behaviour that can’t be reduced to cue → behaviour → reward.

The online world and productivity community has latched onto the word “habit” in a really unhelpful way and we need to stop.

Because habits are unconscious and automatic and EASY.

So when our writing isn’t unconscious, automatic, and easy, we start to wonder what’s wrong with us. Why are we so shitty that we can’t even bang out words every day? Why can THEY do it but we can’t?

Let’s stop right there with the habit myths and start thinking about a practice, instead.

What actually helps us to write consistently and imaginatively is wanting to do it.

I know, right? So simple, so easy.

Only, it isn’t. Because a whole load of head trash gets in the way.

The extreme pressure to get likes and shares and engagement on social media. The pressure to jump on every viral trend, whether it appeals to us or not. The endless misery of comparing ourselves to people who look successful.

It’s a sludge that bogs us down every time we try to get creative.

There’s no way to talk ourselves out of it either. When’s the last time you changed your mind about yourself because someone said “Don’t be silly, you’re lovely!” I’m gonna guess: never.

Instead, I have a different suggestion.

Let your brain get on with its nonsense, and you set about changing your beliefs by stealth.

With a simple challenge that gets you thinking, noticing, and doing things differently.

By the end of 30 days, you’ll have a really cool pile of stuff you’ve written and you’ll have enjoyed yourself immensely and you’ll be thinking differently about yourself, your writing, and your creativity.

It’s the antidote to habit culture. No pressure.

It’s January Uncaged.

You can sign up here:

TTFN,

Vicky 🫡

p.s. Know someone who might enjoy this email? Please forward it to them and get them to sign up here.