Reading time: 4.30

Hey Reader,

Here’s a bunch of things you don’t need to write a book: 🧑🏽‍🎨

• A degree in English Literature
• A degree in English Language
• A degree
• 20 years’ experience in your chosen topic
• Fancy writing software
• 10 different workflow and productivity apps
• Expensive notebooks
• A big old stick up your butt
• A firm grasp on spelling and grammar
• A neurotypical brain
• 4 hours per day
• A bunch of privilege
• A cabin in the woods
• Independent wealth

Here’s what you do need to write a book:

• A good idea that grabs you by the chin and won’t let go
• The will to make it happen
• 30-60 minutes a day
• Paper and pens, and/or
• Your chosen writing medium (laptop, phone, tablet, whatever)
• Your choice of beverage (or beverages, I’m Vicky Three Drinks) to stay hydrated
• Snacks
• Support
• A place to start

What do you think? Sounds doable?

Do you have an idea that’s nibbling at your frontal lobes?

Then let’s get it done, lest it drive you round the bend.

Yesterday was my birthday and I have an offer for you. If you sign up to join MicroBook Magic before I officially throw open the doors on Monday morning, you’ll get a FREE private 60-minute coaching session with me.

My private coaching starts at £1,200 so this is quite the offer.

In that session, we’ll tackle:

• Your book idea — hone and polish it, make sure it has legs, and find your unique angle
• Your time — we’ll dig into your schedule and make sure you have the time and space to get this done
• Your mindset — come armed with your doubts and worries, and I’ll send you away with tools to tackle them and the confidence you can not only do this, but do it brilliantly.

You can find out everything you need to know about MicroBook Magic right here — or hit reply and ask me anything.

And now — the Friday Goodie Bag!

Here’s what I have for you this week.

How a dictator takes over a nation

Cindy Gallop shared a story about a teacher who demonstrated to her class exactly how a dictator takes over a nation. Which feels very topical and important right now. You can read it here. (Always show rather than tell, like this teacher did.)

Your voice is your most powerful tool in the fight against oppression. Use it. For most of us the most dire consequences will be feeling daft, getting yelled at, or feeling uncomfortable. Get over it.

Why AI is never going to replace humans

AI can be a super useful tool. I use it often in research, summarising calls, and pre-editing my writing. But it is a tool, not a creative force. See, it’s not just about the art. We love art not because of the thing, but because of the story behind the thing. All AI can do is copy and iterate with no reason behind it other than some rando telling it to do this then that for clicks.

But humans have a reason to create something. A story to tell. What makes you angry? Sad? Joyful? Confused? Write about it and we’ll care.

Here’s a good example: the mystery of the Arnolfini Portrait. It’s incredibly detailed and every detail is there for a reason. There’s a story behind it and meaning in every stroke. Do we know exactly what it meant? No. But we have an idea that it was a painting of grief.

​Check it out.

Who’s in the room making the decisions?

I can always tell whether there was a woman in the room when decisions have been made. The most obvious example being glass staircases that look super swish, but you know none of the architects ever wear skirts, so didn’t even think about everyone being able to see your knickers as you ascend.

Or kitchens that just a little too tall for the people who STILL traditionally do most the cooking (not in our house mind hahaha).

Or group coaching calls where everyone is required to have their camera on (hell no, I don’t want everyone to see my weird AuDHD fidgeting and gurning, fuck that).

And the same goes for every other group that has been deliberately and systemically shunted aside and ignored. Lee Chambers shared this great video showing a girl with Downs Syndrome whose parents are loudly deciding for her what she should wear to a wedding, without consulting her.

Sarah’s guest post on book marketing

Sarah Silva, MicroBook Magic alumnus and author of Your Ticket to Explore and Small Island, Big Business, was asked to write a guest post on Katie Sadler’s Substack — and she did!

It’s rather excellent and you should read it here if you’ve written a book or are thinking of writing a book.

Meet the Period Princess!

We don’t break taboos, harmful systems, and damaging beliefs by sweeping them away and pretending they don’t exist. So when Samantha Garstin showed up at my Find Your Funnybone workshop last month, I was intrigued and delighted.

She’s the Period Princess! She works with businesses to make them more friendly to people who have periods and is all about breaking the taboo, making workplaces more inclusive, and generally being rather awesome.

You can find out more about her and get on her email list here (her emails are great!)

What I’m reading

Currently knee-deep in What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami, which I am thoroughly enjoying. It’s a memoir about his identity as a runner… and also as a novelist, written as a series of diary entries. I don’t agree with everything he says (it’d be boring if I did, right?) but I don’t have to. This is his experience of writing and running, not mine. Which is why I write myself. Because all our voices matter.

What I’m writing

My next stand-up comedy gig is in April, so I’m starting to pull together some new material. I’m having fun. I have a whole new notebook dedicated solely to my comedy thoughts and ideas and writing games.

Oh, and of course, I’m butt-deep in launching Season 7 of MicroBook Magic. Hurrah!

Word of the week

Twiddle-diddles (n) testicles. From The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. A most delightful tome.

Quote of the week

Have a wonderful weekend and use your voice for good.

TTFN,

Vicky

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