![Manifestos, fried eggs, and silly names [Friday Goodie Bag] 🍳 🤡](https://moxiebooks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/fried-eggs-1600x400-1920x0-c-default.webp)
You’re doing great! Did you know that?
Just in case you didn’t — because I know what humans are like, and our brains focus on all the things we haven’t done, rather than cheering about the things we have done — here’s a little Friday game for you.
Name 3 things you’re proud of yourself for this week. I’ll go first:
- I kicked off MicroBook Magic Season 6 with the first welcome call for my new authors — their book ideas are brilliant and I can’t wait to read more! (I am also proud OF them for deciding to write a book and then doing something about it.)
- I booked an appointment at the doctor and then actually went to it, like a grownup.
- I joined Sharon Hurley-Hall’s anti-racism space so I can turn my rage at the constant injustices of the world into action.
Your turn!
You might be surprised at the cool things you’ve done. Cheer yourself on, and know I’m cheering you on from just behind your right shoulder, like an absolute weirdo.
Okay — time for the Friday Goodie Bag!
Roxane Gay’s 10 rules for loving and being loved well
As you know if you’ve been here for a while, I love a manifesto. I’ve been talking about them and thinking about them recently, so the universe keeps sending them to me, in the most random ways.
Like this one, which surprised me because it’s also a good example of delighting your customers. Someone sent me some files via WeTransfer and as I was about to click “download” I noticed the background — a manifesto (grabbed my eyeballs) by one of my favourite writers, Roxane Gay (sucked me right in there).
Why did they do this? Dunno — just a little extra treat for people waiting for their downloads. A bit of brand-building. A bit of customer experience pizzazz. Plus, they seem to be doing a series of manifestos which I ADORE. (Scroll down.)
You can find and read Roxane Gay’s manifesto here.
And perhaps have a think about how you can delight your customers in unexpected ways.
How to know yourself
I love Cal Newport’s work, so when I discovered he also had a podcast, I zoomed right over there and sat down. This episode, with Ryan Holiday (who I also think is great) is a brilliant listen.
In it, Holiday talks about how he stopped feeling lost and found his unique Thing — he used to be a marketer (he wrote the excellent and disturbing Trust Me, I’m Lying as an exposé of advertising, PR, and media) but then swivelled to his obsession with Stoicism.
The episode is full of insights not just on living a deep life and deep work, but on how to write well, and prolifically, and interestingly.
Go super deep on fried eggs
Seriously, if you love a thing deeply, don’t be afraid to go all-in on it. Like artist Daniel Halksworth, who paints fried eggs and, well, fried eggs.
Check out this Instagram post about why he paints fried eggs, and how it all started.
What’s your Thing?
Rename things for shtz + giggles
I found this on the Openly Gay Animals Instagram feed — it’s Adam Sharp again (if you’ve been here a while you’ll know I love Adam Sharp’s lists).
He’s just had a silly old time renaming animals with appropriate names. Like calling a rhinoceros a Battle Unicorn because IT BLOODY IS right?
Next time you find yourself at a loss for words, try it yourself. Rename everyday objects appropriately (or inappropriately). Film titles. Book titles. Animals. Hobbies. Jobs.
Send me them!
What I’m reading
I’ve just started The Bookshop Woman by Nanako Hanada (translated by Cat Stevenson). I saw it when I was in a bookshop buying something else, and it just appealed to me. Plus I seem to be reading a lot of Japanese or Japanese-inspired fiction at the moment. So far I like it! It’s a fun premise — a lonely woman who runs a bookshop and joins a “meeting people” app with the offer to have a coffee and a chat and she’ll recommend them the perfect book.
What I’m writing
I’ve just started writing my next MicroBook, which I’m doing with my MicroBook Magic Season 6 cohort, tentatively titled Kickstart Your Book.
Plus I’m putting together my next stand-up comedy piece ready for Friday October 25, in Worcester. Eeek!
Happy Friday!
Have a fab weekend, and do something splendid!
p.s. I’m looking for 2 people to work with me in Book Coach In Your Pocket before Christmas. Are you in?
How to work with The MicroBook Magician
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Buy My Book: How the hell do you write a book?
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Book Coach In Your Pocket: Your first draft done (or all but) in just 30 days
MicroBook Magic: Write your MicroBook in just 8 weeks
Creative Playground: Write every day + get advice, support, and bonus access to my workshops! (1 week trial for £1)