What do we do when the machines have taken over? Where do we hide when the bombs won’t stop falling? How do we stay sane when the world is hellbent on knocking us lopsided and loopy?
I’m Rob Self-Pierson, author, founder of a brand language studio, and writing coach. I made Creative Constraints Club when worrying about questions like these.
There’s a lot of stuff happening to our planet. War. Climate change. An AI revolution. On a walk along the river not far from my home north of London, I drew a line in the sand (well, in the mud really). Time to fall with fear, or to rise in creativity.
At that moment, I chose to pool my writing life. Bring together all I’ve learned and achieved to make a new creative space. Somewhere that encourages people like you to explore your heart, mind and life through writing, away from the gloom and doom of daily headlines. I suppose that sums up what this project is about, really.
Creative Constraints Club is my little stand against the stuff that stifles our creative expression. The new tech, scary world events, our own fears and lack of self-confidence. I know how it feels. But we’ll come to my story down the page.
For now, let me tell you more about the thing you’re really here for.
WHAT IS CREATIVE CONSTRAINTS CLUB?
Simply, a space where people come together to enjoy being creative with words.
A wise man (author and poet, John Simmons) told me, “Constraints liberate”. That’s our thing. We use the power of constraints to free our ideas and expression.
Every weekday, Monday to Friday, around 10.30am UK time, I post a writing prompt with creative constraint. Each is related to our theme of the week, which I share on a Monday. Themes vary. They spring from my writing life: who I speak to, where I go, what I read and hear, things that happen. They’re written by me, never by AI.
Weekends are different to weekdays. I post a gentle encouragement rather than a prompt. An invitation to revisit a response from the week, the chance to take your writing a little further. On Sundays, I publish three pieces from Club Members.
Over time, together, we’re growing a community. Becoming a club. Mainly of writers. But others whose veins pulse with the drug of creativity are welcome, too.
WHAT WILL YOU GET FROM CREATIVE CONSTRAINTS CLUB?
Daily practice will hone your writing craft, and grow your creative confidence.
I make clear which skills you’re boosting with every constraint you try. You’ll also learn how these skills develop your writing, and why that matters for your reader.
Then there’s the community aspect. We have members from other brilliant writing groups like 26, London Writers’ Salon and Lapidus International. Many are published authors and poets. Together, as a club, we support and encourage one another.
You can try us for a while. If you’re not digging it, no hard feelings at all.
WHO IS CREATIVE CONSTRAINTS CLUB FOR?
You. Yes, you. Especially if you like the idea of giving your brain a boost five days a week, and spending the weekend reflecting on the goodness of being human.
Join the Club if you’re a:
Wannabe writer excited to explore
Seasoned writer feeling a little dried up
Student studying a creative writing degree
Creative studio keen to upskill your team in writing
Business looking to develop writers you have in-house.
And don’t worry, we’re nothing like a school language lesson or grammar test. Creative Constraints Club is about following the thread, not tying ourselves in knots.
HOW MUCH IS CREATIVE CONSTRAINTS CLUB?
For just £7/month*, Club Members get:
A writing theme to spark your thinking each Monday
A writing prompt with creative constraint every Monday to Friday
Full access to the community so you can leave comments and build friendships
The opportunity to be published on Creative Constraints Club
A Creative Constraints Club notepad to start each year
My Notes, where I share inspiration behind themes.
For free, Club Guests get:
A writing theme to spark your thinking each Monday
Monday’s writing prompt, every week, with creative constraint
No access to the community, though you can still read published pieces.
MY STORY
I’m Rob, the author of two travel memoirs, founder of Brand Language Studio and writing coach. I’ve been published in magazines, newspapers, poetry anthologies, and have appeared on radio and podcasts. I’m also a lover of creative projects.
Things like The Playing Place. And 26 Treasures. And A Writing Life. And, more recently, and ongoing, the 20:26 Project. Plus the books of course, Moonwalking and Twinned with and the A-Z of better brand language. They all started as projects. Opportunities to explore thinking. An excuse to play, free from judgement.
Creativity is my oxygen, constraints my breath. But something happened. In 2026, my language business went silent, and suffocated by the plastic bag of bad news I wrote less. Plus I reached a point in life where big things happen. Friends move on, loved ones pass away. And all the talk becomes about health, wills and pensions.
At times, I feel tempted to give up on my dream of writing for a living, and to get a “proper job” like people tell me, and to settle down so that I can…
NO! No human being, with beating heart and raw emotion, hopes and desires, with dreams realised and crushed, with love and friendships, no human being, living, breathing, with creative genes and a weakness for play, should ever give up.
Instead, I’ve taken a stand and started a new project. Something that allows me to do the two things I love most: have fun being creativity, and encourage others.
So, Creative Constraints Club. Join me for some play?
*Watch out: You’ll pay more than £7/month if you subscribe through the Substack app. Seems Apple/Google take a slice of your money. Sign up at Substack.com to save cash.
