Introducing: Writers' Book Club

Create better writing habits with Atomic Habits

One of my biggest frustrations as a writer is that yes, I love to write, I mean I really love to, I mean it really brings me a lot of joy—but I hate, hate, haaate staring the writing process each day. Every day that I write, I go through the agonizing feeling that I just can’t get started. It feels painful, almost. Impossible. Like standing in the warm sun and trying to get myself to jump into an ice-cold pool. Eventually, I do start, and once I’m writing, I really enjoy myself. So much so that I always end up wondering why I didn’t start sooner!

Well, now the problem has come to a bit of a crisis. I became head of my department at work recently, and I’ve been writing stories for an app, all while working on a novel. With less time to devote to my novel, I feel, more than ever, pressure to shorten the time it takes to get started on my writing each day. I picked up a book recently that I hoped would help, and now I’m implementing some of its ideas as an experiment to find out what might help me use my time more wisely.

Do you want to try out some ways to increase your dedication to writing and craft? Let’s read this book together!

Throughout the month of January, I’ll post weekly discussions of Atomic Habits by James Clear. Atomic Habits is a massively popular book (over two million copies have sold) because it teaches readers how to successfully form positive habits by “getting 1% better every day.” You can read the book along with me as I map out how to use the concept of “tiny changes, remarkable results” to help us all form better habits as writers.

If you want to read along, here is the reading schedule I recommend:

You can easily find the book in your local independent bookstore at this time of year. If you’re hoping to get it from your local library, request it now before the New Year prompts everyone to claim a copy.

If you miss a week in the schedule, don’t sweat it! I’ll post insights you can use whether or not you’ve read the chapters (although you’ll get more depth from the discussions if you’ve read the book).

I’m looking forward to starting a new year of writing with you! See you on January 3rd.

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Parker Peevyhouse is the author of Strange Exit and The Echo Room (Tor Teen), which have been called “compulsively readable” and "thrilling" in starred reviews, and Where Futures End (Penguin), which was named a Best Book by the New York Public Library, the Chicago Public Library, and Bank Street.

Find Parker’s writing resources, including her popular digital workbook courses, on her website.