March's Notable Quotes for Newsletter Writers

Octavia Butler always has something interesting to say.

This month’s two notable quotes are from Bloodchild and Other Stores by Octavia Butler:

First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won’t. Habit is persistence in practice.

Octavia Butler

Forget talent. If you have it, fine. Use it. If you don’t have it, it doesn’t matter. As habit is more dependable than inspiration, continued learning is more dependable than talent.

Octavia Butler

There are times when I don’t feel like writing a newsletter, and there are times when I doubt that my writing makes a difference at all.

I imagine the same might be true for you.

Writing it anyway, on the schedule you’ve set for yourself, is part of building a habit.

Sometimes, you’ll write a newsletter that isn’t very good.

Sometimes, your newsletter will be much better than you think it is.

Your “not very good” newsletter can and often does make a difference to someone who reads it, but only if you actually send it.

The act of writing and sending the newsletter means you’re engaging in “continued learning.”

Showing up regularly for yourself, your practice, and your readers, even when what you write is imperfect and/or your’e having a crummy day, means you’re building the habit.

So, keep writing, keep showing up, and remember that in order for your newsletter to work, you’ll need to send it regularly 😊

I’d love to read your reflections in the comments.

Take care,

Camille

p.s. Need some motivation to get writing? Want feedback to see if your writing is clear and brief and true? Upgrade to the paid version of this newsletter & attend our monthly newsletter-writing + peer feedback session. We’ll be meeting next week on Thursday, April 4 from 12-1:30 pm ET.

p.s. Get the notable quote + tips and pep talks for newsletter writers each month when you subscribe to the free version of Write Better Letters 🗞️

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