OLD POST ALERT! This is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date. Please click on Start Here on the menu bar above to find links to my most useful articles, videos and podcast. Thanks and happy writing! – Joanna Penn
Back in 2007, I was very unhappy in my day job.
In fact, I've never been happy in my day job but it paid the bills, enabled me to travel and I met a lot of great people. It was a mixed blessing. I fell into it to repay my student loan and just never escaped. I worked for big companies on computer systems and the work killed any creativity I had in me.
In 2000, I resigned, left London for the Australian outback, and swore never to do it again. My adventures were fantastic but eventually, I ran out of money and went back. This cycle repeated itself a number of times… then in 2007, I was really, seriously over it. So I began investigating what else I could do with my life that would be helpful to other people and also enable me to escape the day job.
At the time, I read two books that made a huge impact on me. The Success Principles by Jack Canfield and The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. They talked about following your dreams and also using affirmations to set your intentions. The problem with changing your life is often knowing what you want instead of the status quo. When I looked at what I had always wanted, it was only ever to be a writer.
So I came up with my affirmation “I am creative. I am an author”.
At the time, I was not creative and I was not an author. Sure, I wrote diaries and letters but I couldn't ever associate the word creative with me. I couldn't even say this phrase out loud at first. I wrote it down and then started whispering it on the commute home (when no one was around!) I also moved to four days a week at the day job to give myself head-space to write my first book.
In April 2008, I self-published How To Enjoy Your Job…Or Find A New One. I was so happy and proud of myself. I thought I was going to change the world and free millions of IT consultants from their miserable lives. I spent money on printing physical books and did some old-style PR with press releases, radio and even national TV.
But I only sold a few books. Literally, a few. Even with national TV. I was devastated, but wasn't intending to give up (as the affirmations were really kicking in now!) I also discovered that the book you write will change your life. It really did change mine as I understood what writing a book was like and I had found my purpose.
But I realized that I didn't actually have a clue about marketing online. I had focused on traditional PR but what about the internet? So I started researching and buying online programs to learn about blogging and podcasting and other things.
After a couple of other attempts at blogging, I started this site in December 2008 in order to share what I had learned with the failure of my first book. For example, I had spent thousands of dollars on printing books and then discovered print on demand and selling on Amazon. I was determined that no one else would pay the price I did and I wanted to save people time, money and emotional energy on their own journey. I had also started feeling and becoming creative and the name ‘The Creative Penn' came to me on the commute one day. I claimed the word for myself and have grown into it over time!
Since then, this site has grown and I have personally grown as a writer. Many of you have been here to see the changes over time. Thank you for sharing the journey with me so far. I have also continued to invest in my education as an online marketer and I absolutely love our online author community. In February this year, I published Pentecost, my first novel, which has now sold over 11,000 copies and remains an Amazon bestseller. The sequel, Prophecy is on its way. [Update: Later re-edited and republished as Stone of Fire and Crypt of Bone.]
So in August 2011, I decided that my affirmation has been fulfilled. I am creative and I am an author. I wanted to share this with you as encouragement as I know the fears that come with writing and the doubts that plague us. I'm an introvert too and have been crushed and hurt along the way. But I am also truly excited about the years to come as we are part of an incredible change in the industry.
So, all this background is to prepare you for my big news.
I have resigned my day job as an IT consultant in order to focus on my fiction writing and also on The Creative Penn community of writers and authors.
This is not a decision taken lightly (and yes, I have been saving for a while so there is a cushion). This has been coming since that day in 2007 when I just couldn't take any more but it has taken this long to make a change that my risk-averse nature can bear. There have also been some inspirational people who have helped along the way, including Jonathan Fields with his new book, Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance which kicked me over the final line.
This is an uncertain time but I can see the way forward as an indie author and also as someone who can contribute to the creative community. I'm ready to make the leap!
What does this mean for you?
This blog makes me happy 🙂 I don't mean to sound cheesy but I love to be useful and sharing what works (and what doesn't), as well as lessons learned, is very satisfying. I love getting emails from you and I love the comments. I hope you continue to find the site useful.
So you will still be getting the same quality of free information in terms of articles, audios and videos – nothing changes with the baseline of what you already get on this site. I love sharing and interviewing people and this is a great community, so stick around.
But this change gives me 40-50 extra hours per week (wow!) and so the following will also become available:
- More fiction. If you enjoyed Pentecost, you will love Prophecy and now I will have more time to write! I'm going to be spending every morning writing fiction and every afternoon on this business, so expect the fiction back-list to be growing. Yes, I still want to be a Kindle millionaire 🙂 Also, I will be starting a new blog for my fiction readers who are a different audience to this one. [Update: I do have some articles and videos at www.JFPenn.com and also a podcast at Books and Travel.]
- Webinars and Multi-media courses. [Update: You can find all my courses for authors here.]
- Services. Every day I am asked to recommend people for ebook formatting, cover design, editing, blog building or marketing. In order to expand The Creative Penn, I will be partnering with special people to offer packages that give you value with people I can personally vouch for. [Update: You can find my resource lists here.]
- 1:1 Consulting. I am really looking forward to helping more people with their journey and I will be offering a restricted number of targeted consulting sessions on reviewing and improving author platforms. [Update: While I did do consulting for a few years, I no longer do 1:1 work. You can join my Patreon for access to Q&A.]
I hope you can see The Creative Penn becoming a resource hub for writers and authors, a community where we can help each other and learn together.
I'm looking forward to the next step (which is just slightly outside my comfort zone!).
Tammie says
Congratulations Joanna quiting the day job is a big step! I’m looking forward to Prophecy and I’m just about to check out the kindle formatting packages! I’m so happy for you.
Joanna Penn says
Thanks Tammie – I know you understand the change!
Karen van Wyk says
Sounds brilliant, Joanna. I’m really looking forward to the changes. I’ve already benefited so much from your site, but I still have so much more to learn. Especially in the field of promoting my fiction – I’m terrible at that. Thank you for all of your hard work.
Joanna Penn says
Thanks Karen and I will definitely be sharing more about promoting fiction. It is a different beast!
Dan McIntyre says
Wow! What a huge step to take, and a very brave one. This is awesome to read and I must admit it has been enjoyable to watch your progress over the past year or so.
I first came across you when you interviewed Hyla Molander and you were both the first people I started following when I discovered Twitter. Your journey is remarkable and inspirational and this site is a hugely useful resource – I often find myself wondering how you find the time to write with everything else you have in hand.
I wish you all the best Joanna and look forward to the release of Prophecy and seeing where your “new” career takes you in the future.
Joanna Penn says
Thanks Dan – I really do appreciate you and the others who have been following the journey! I’m committed to sharing how it progresses!
Lorna Fergusson says
Fantastic post, Joanna – honest and vibrant as ever! You’re being so brave but I know your genuine desire to help, your passion to communicate and your incredible energy will make this new step work for you. We’ll all be watching this space!
Joanna Penn says
Thanks Lorna – and it will be great to do stuff together as well.
Kim says
Congrats on this new adventure in your life – and it is an adventure, like anything that is worthwhile is meant to be.
I took the decision in May this year to ditch the EDJ (Evil Day Job) and have not looked back. I am now happier and less stressed than I have ever been by throwing myself into my writing.
I believe big steps like this are rewarded because you are showing true commitment to your dream and your passion. That takes courage and it is something that few people understand.
I wish you nothing but success in your walk down the yellow-brick walk of creativity.
Joanna Penn says
Thanks Kim – that is very encouraging as you have already made it through the first difficult months. I was a bit worried that I would be lonely but there’s all the other people who are working from home online as well!
Ellis Shuman says
Your personal story has given me a lot of encouragement. I am glad to be part of your community.
Joanna Penn says
Thanks Ellis – I love our little tribe!
Kat Anthony says
This is an incredibly inspiring story! Congratulations–and best of wishes for more amazing successes to come! I will be returning to this post when I feel discouraged and need a reminder of the payoffs of persistence and affirmation. Thanks, Joanna!
Joanna Penn says
Hi Kat – I hope there will be other posts to come – like “From nowhere to Kindle millionaire” 🙂 and possibly other smaller goals achieved too!
Candice L Davis says
Congratulations on going full-time with your dream job! For years I listened to people (including many published writers) telling me
“you can’t make a living as a writer.” What they left out was that there are other lovely, interesting things you can do that will fall under that writerly umbrella and contribute to a sustainable income. The Creative Penn will be just such a thing for you.
I look forward to seeing more of what you’ll have to offer here. Your success is inspiring!
Joanna Penn says
Exactly Candice – I wouldn’t have given up the day job if I just had one fiction book, but I have a viable business as well that can be ramped up. I really consider myself an author-entrepreneur. Thanks!
MaAnna says
Delighted to hear that you’ve had the tenacity to keep at it and manifest your affirmation into a living reality that does so much good for so many! Joanna, thank you for sharing your journey with us and for all you do for the writer’s community. Looking forward to the watershed of creativity that will come pouring out of you now that you can devote your full energies toward it.
Joanna Penn says
Thanks MaAnna – I know you understand the portfolio career idea as well, and all those bits come together somehow to create a life!
Christopher Wills says
Warning personal comment.
Go Jo. Good luck in your new life as a full time author – I am envious but I have a two year plan to follow you.
Joanna Penn says
Thanks Christopher – I actually thought it would take me another 18 months, but I just couldn’t do it anymore! Maybe you will follow a little bit earlier!
Pancho2099 says
congrats!
I love draw, I love my studio, but I wanna more… wanna to be a writter too. Write my books and make my illsutrations inside him.
but I really don’t know sell myself. poor marketing and e-marketing and this afraid me to launch a book.
I like here, I like news. Good Luck!
Joanna Penn says
Thanks Pancho – there’s lots of information here about marketing http://www.thecreativepenn.com/marketing/
The principles are the same for anything really so you can use it for your drawing too.
m. garzon says
Congratulations, Joanna! I can’t believe how much we have in common in terms of our work paths. I, too, worked in IT consulting (though I dealt more with the business end), and felt creatively stifled. I wrote my first novel two years ago, knowing absolutely nothing about getting it published, and your site has been a huge help to me. I haven’t quite managed to quit the biz contracts (single mom), but I’m headed in that direction and am halfway through writing my second novel, armed with at least a clue this time 🙂
Thanks for all the help, and I look forward to seeing where your new path takes you!
Joanna Penn says
I’m so glad! That’s brilliant and to do it while working and with your child as well – wow! I’ll have to race you for the end of the second novel!
Kenya Johnson says
Thanks for sharing your story. I don’t even know you and I am so happy for you. You made me get goose bumps at your good news. I know you will do very well. Thank you for the inspiration. I’m not working right now anyway but I’m working hard not to get back in a position of unhappiness. My simple affirmation right now is, “I am a writer!”
Joanna Penn says
Thanks Kenya – stay positive – everything takes time but when you look back the time has flown by – so just keep writing!
Karen Inglis says
Congrats, Joanna. I’m enjoying a long sabbatical from work for the same reasons – albeit I am miles behind you in terms of ‘where I am at’! I think your contributions for self-publishers have been and will continue to be valuable and inspiring. All the best with this and your next book. K
Joanna Penn says
Thanks Karen – I see us all at different points on the journey. I look at some of the authors ahead of me and wonder if I will make it that far, but it’s just one step at a time.
Gene Markland says
Congratulations Joanna!
You have accomplished so much with limited time, I can only imagine what you will do with full time. We’ll all bebefit.
Best Wishes,
Gene
Joanna Penn says
It feels like it’s taken forever already! But a little bit every day will mean time flies…
Joe Barlow@The Coffee House Wordsmith says
Congratulations, Joanna! I’m so pleased for your success! It’s nice to see one of the “good people” get ahead for a change. All success to you, and I look forward to your next book.
-j.
Joanna Penn says
I’m glad I’m considered a ‘good’ person 🙂 not sure who else you’ve been following! We all have our work ethics and I’m one of those who thinks that hard work will get you there eventually – although I’m sure there are faster routes!
Beth Pontorno says
This is great news. Congratulations! I’m looking forward to more of your fiction and your new blog for fiction readers.
Margaret McGriff says
This is awesome news! I’ve been an avid reader of your blog for a long time and your information is invaluable! I’m in the same boat you’re in balancing your dream and real life and it’s just soo inspiring to hear your journey and how you are finally taking that leap! Congratulations!
Lesley says
Good Luck Joanna,
I have already learned many hints and tips from your journey. I usually retweet to share to others and post on my facebook page. I look forward to seeing your success and your becoming a kindle millionare. Congratulations!
Joanna Penn says
Thanks for sharing Lesley – I appreciate your support.
Gary A Swaby says
This is amazing, congratulations Joanna, and thanks for all your help. I look forward on hearing updates on your new ‘day job’ free life.
I hope someday I can be at a position like you. I know you worked very hard for it, and I plan to also. Thanks for the inspiration.
Joanna Penn says
Thanks Gary – it has indeed been hard to get here and now it feels I’m at the bottom of the pyramid again – but hey, life was never meant to be easy!