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is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date.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
You can't write that.
You can't think that.
You can't imagine those things.
You don't have permission to be that person, to think like that, to write like that, to publish that.
You're a nice girl. What will people think of you?
That's my inner critic speaking, but I've also heard those words echoed from people close to me over the years. I think it's only been in the last six months that I have given myself permission to let the raw side of me loose on the page. I'm finally finding my voice.
It's scary as hell because it turns out my stories are dark and twisty, but it's also empowering and liberating to let my mind have a free rein.
But I have to keep reminding myself that I have permission to write. Or I would stay safe in the shallows.
A friend told me the other day that I've changed since I became a full time writer. But I think it's just that the inner me is finally making it to the surface after years of suppression and doing what I was supposed to do.
And how has this change in me come about?
I've been writing journals for 20 years but blogging here for nearly 5 years has changed me far more. Because clicking the Publish button has made me think more deeply about what I want to say.
Because these words are going into the world, and people may well read them.
Because I have met writers who have challenged me to go deeper.
Those of you who have been reading this blog for a long time have witnessed the change as I've shared the journey with all its ups and downs.
Clicking the Publish button on Amazon or the other distributors has the same effect. It makes us braver over time, because we have to keep bringing our best to the page and we get almost instant feedback from readers.
This is the beauty of self publishing, because we don't need permission anymore.
If I hadn't self published Pentecost four years ago, or clicked Publish on this blog, I would still be a miserable IT consultant, talking about writing but not doing it.
If I hadn't persisted through three novels, I would not be finding my voice in the fourth.
If I had asked permission, or if I had waited to be picked, I would still be dreaming of what might have been.
Of course, permission to write and self-publish doesn't mean you'll get it right the first time.
It doesn't guarantee Hugh Howey or Amanda Hocking type success.
But it shifts you inside, it forces you to go further creatively. It enables you to clear the way for the next step, and after all, the writer's life is a journey of discovery, not a destination.
So you have permission. You are empowered.
To write.
To publish.
To connect with readers and writers all over the globe.
I'm done with taming the crazy. I'm giving myself permission. How about you?
Please do leave a comment below if this resonates with you. This is our community, and I sincerely thank you for sharing it with me.
This post was inspired by an article on agent Rachelle Gardner's blog entitled ‘Will My Publisher Let Me Self-Publish Too?” which sparked a lot of passionate comment and offended me over the aspect of permission. Rachelle has since published a Mea Culpa article.
Top image: Stamp permission granted from Big Stock Photo
Joanne,
I love fantasy fiction. I love to create creatures, places, things and, of course, situations. Okay, I don’t create situations, I just write about them, but it feels like it! Anyway, I have been told by many that my writing is evil, that I should not encourage my imagination because the bible says not to. I have read where it says not to and it is talking about worry, about stress.
However, I met someone, after many years of fighting for permission to write, who behaved as if it were my fundemental right. They told me that if my writing was a sin, then they would be happy to go to hell with me and began the journey of writing with me. Next thing I know, Warrior Crone was being finished, polished and prepared for publication.
Then, something else happened. This is the most wonderful thing of all time, to me. I found people who supported me in my writing in other ways. This allowed me the courage to talk more widely about my writing. Next, came people who wanted to read what I wrote. I remember when the first person said, “When is it coming out, I want to read it.”
There is no way to describe everything that happened inside me, but I can tell you a couple of things. First, I felt something break loose. I felt a new freedom to be myself. Second, I felt a sense of duty to get it perfect as I could get it (that is where I am now) and published (this is where I am anxious to be). The greatest thing about having people waiting to read it, when I get frustrated and want to give up, they are there in the back of my mind.
I have begun to “plan” what I am doing months and years in advance! I would never have had the courage to plan beyond the current story without all these things happening! I am so grateful to all the people who have helped and encouraged me along the way.
I don’t know how I survived long enough to live my life, but I am grateful I have!!!
Thank you, Joanne. You have given me help along the way and encouragement to keep going with our newsletter and your blog.
Jen Christopherson
Author of Tior (http://www.amazon.com/Tior-Jen-Christopherson/dp/1604418931/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366151237&sr=8-1&keywords=Tior+by+Jen+Christopherson), Warrior Crone (soon to be published) and Living Winter (soon to be written).
P.S. Tior is the first book of a trilogy. In 2015, I will rewrite Tior and finish Trektarishka and Draconia.
Hi Jen – thanks so much for sharing your story and I am so glad you were able to break through the opinions of others. There will always be people who try to put us down and belittle what we care about, but we are so lucky to have the internet now because there are communities who are into all these different things. I’m glad you’ve found some writer friends.
When I was young, I wrote screenplays and stage plays. Several of the stage plays were produced on the stage of my school. When I went off to college, writing was left behind and for close to 30 years I never seriously wrote. Seven years ago, I returned to writing and even though I wrote and wrote, I never finished. Last year, I decided that I needed to change that. I finally finished my first novel and self-published it. My second novel followed soon after and now I’m working on my third book. I’m no longer an aspiring author. I am an actual author simply because I finally told myself to do it.
Congrats ST – that’s brilliant!
Thanks for the passion that fills this post. At this point in my writing journey I believe in keeping all my options open, and am still keeping my goal to publish through a “traditional” publishing house at the top. BUT I HASTEN TO ADD: I am not doing so out of any lust for prestige. I like to set goals for my writing, and that just happens to be one of them. However, I can absolutely see the possibility of a time when Amazon and I get real cozy. Each writer must do what they believe is best for their writing at each stage of the journey. Thanks again for the post. We MUST give ourselves permission to go where we believe we are suppossed to go, no matter what someone else is saying. You are soooo right about that.
Joanna,
This is awesome. I am tweeting this. It is so important for people to realize they can live, dream the creative lives that they want. It took me long to realize that. I am happy there are many more avenues for me to pursue my dreams. I purchased your “Prowriter Secrets” – thank you for putting it out there.
” It took me *a* long *time* to realize that.” Sorry about the typos. Ooops.
Dear Joanna
I have just self published my second book, Chinook. I get such a kick when I receive the finished book.
My son is the best critic I have during the “pregnancy” time of working on the manuscript.
At this time both my published books detail life. The first was mostly copies of letters etc between two people, plus photos, with just a few pages of comments.
The second is photos, comments from myself and friend who owned the dog, the story is about.
I have written several true stories of friends, and my own life, so the next published will be biographical. I have travelled much through my life and met many, many people.
I enjoy the freedom self publishing gives me.
Thank you for this timely and excellent post. Just last night in my writers’ group I committed to abandoning my safe literary and lyrical writing for just one chapter. I committed to write some terrible schlock as long as it was raw. Last night I killed a character, and suddenly have a vibrant plot I am excited to write. I love to hear the thoughts of fellow writers here. We have no reason to doubt ourselves. Soldier on!
I started working on a novel when I was still employed. Finally, my husband and I agreed I could leave my job and continue writing full time. Since we have no children at home, I now face this question from others on a regular basis: “What do you do all day?”. I’ve actually signed up with an editor’s association JUST so I can tell people I’m a freelance editor because writing and having nothing yet published to show for it feels like I AM wasting time. It’s wonderful to be free to write but the attitude from others (not my husband) that I should have a paying job in order to justify my existence is difficult to deal with. The freedom of self-publishing, which is my ultimate goal, helps to keep me going with head up. And the comments of like-minded writers on this blog also help a lot. Thanks, All.
Wow you’re sooo awesome Joanna. Thanks for writing this. Giving myself permission to explore some of my darker thoughts and ideas has always been difficult for me. I’ve often found myself stalling or obsessing over every idea to the point where I’m just now able to work my way through the first draft of my novel. I would always doubt myself to the point where I would spend more time worrying than writing. I finally realized(thanks to you and SPP), that my work doesn’t have to (and shouldn’t), be perfect the first time around. Now freed from the impossible limitations I’d previously put on myself I’m working much quicker than I have before.
One of the things I love about your blog is that it reminds me that even the Joanna Penn’s of the world have doubts and concerns. It’s also inspiring to be reminded of the fact that if you can push through your mental barrier’s and continue to grow as a story-teller then so can I. Thanks for keeping me growing and giving me permission to suck or learn. Wishing you continued growth, freedom, and success always.
Very well put, Joanna! Thank-you for writing this article as I think it is something that most writers struggle with…letting their inner voice out! Since I write romance I often find my inner editor kicking in while my creative juices are flowing and I think, “Can I really go there?” What will my parents think if they ever see it? And so I hold back, I edit myself while I am writing knowing that I have something bigger and better inside me still to give.
Your words are very enlightening – thanks again!
I think this is a common but never spoken of issue that creatives have, and I’m glad your willing to talk about it, and to follow your true thoughts and voice and be brave enough to share!
Authors have more power than they realize. Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and “Just Do It!” I had a recent conversation with one of my clients ( I am a book publicist) about self publishing her next book on her own since she has a body of work of 5 books. But, she decided to stay with her publisher who is not bringing much to the table in my view, and earn .05% of the sales. Yes, that’s the number.
Also, many publishers forbid by contract participation in Amazon’s KDP Select program which can expose thousands of readers to an author’s work. Its especially good for authors with multiple books.
In fact during April 24-27 , 2013 I conducted an Amazon KDP Select promotion and my client’s book was downloaded 40,309 times! Yes, that is the correct number. Now thousands of readers will be exposed to my client’s work and can help keep the word-of-mouth going that all book sales require.
Bottom line: Authors, get the courage and publish yourself… unless you have a sweet deal and tons of support from the publisher.
I just wrote an article like this, on coming to terms with being a writer and accepting that as part of us. This rang so true with me, and I loved reading it. It’s so nice to know that other people feel the same way I do, especially someone with as much success as you!
Joanna,
I look forward to every one of your posts and I particularly love this one: I’m done with taming the crazy too! LOL. I self published 2 books last year, have a screenplay I’m turning into a novel (slowly!), and a website where I’m creating online courses on plugging into the power of dreams – and although all of this has triggered my inner critics too, letting myself bloom fills me with bliss so I intend to keep letting it all bust loose. Your work, the range of your creativity, and the links that you share are a source of inspiration and comfort so I’m very grateful! Julie
Agreed! I’m too lazy to hide the crazy, so instead I share it with whoever will read it on my blog. I have issues. So do you. It’s writing and talking about things that make you feel less alone and connect you to so many awesome people out there.
What you write won’t resonate with everyone. Heck, it might not even resonate with anyone. But that doesn’t mean it’s not important to write if it’s something that you want to share. We’re our own worst critics, and it’s time to cast that aside.
With that said, I have never been “picked up” or published in a traditional sense, so perhaps my approach is irrelevant, but I write because I want to. I write because I have to.
Great article. Many thanks for sharing your experiences and common sense educational content on writing.
Hi Joanna, as always, another good post. Thanks for that! This is one of the many reasons why I am bypassing agents and publishers and self-publishing. I am waiting for my “proof” from createspace as we speak and I’m very excited and hopeful that once we receive it all will be good and I will launch my first book on Amazon. I’m very excited! This has been 4 plus years in the making and I knew there was no way I was going to chance waiting another year or two until it’s published. No to mention, giving most of my profits to a third party. I know several authors who go through a publisher and just can’t fathom me going this route, but I started my platform early on and built fans and followers along the way so that when my book does come out next week, I have places to share the link and hopefully build some sales. I’m working on my first ever blog tour, something I have never done, and I hope it all pans out too.
Thanks for your blog. I have shared quite a few of your articles on my fanpage and personal facebook page. I believe them to be an asset for those of us who have taken the leap and decided to do it ourselves. You have been an inspiration and you give great advice. Keep them coming, I look forward to your next post!
Hello Joanna,
This is a really inspirational blog entry and it’s great to know that even a great writer like you is still learning and developing their writing voice. It is so easy to let other people’s negativity chip away at our belief and optimism that we can do it. I think it’s so important to tell ourselves regularly that we have something just as important as everyone else to tell the world.
Thanks for another great post.
Steph x
Hi Joanna! Thanks for always sharing your brilliant insights. I know exactly what you are talking about, especially because I am writing a personal memoir, which of course brings on the outer critics from those in my story. I learn from people like you and many books I read on writing memoir to Just Write! Write like nobody is there and speak the truth, my truth.
I don’t think anything about her post implied that you need permission to do something…unless of course you signed a contract GIVING a publishing house authority over you and your writing, in which case…it’s kind of your own fault. She didn’t say you shouldn’t self-publish. She was simply illuminating the publisher’s side of things for those who are in that situation. It’s really not that hard to figure out if you spend 20 seconds thinking about it instead of jumping to conclusions just for a fight. I’m really impressed with how she handled the situation, even though her words were twisted around by people who jumped on the bandwagon attacking her. I thought the whole thing was ridiculous. She’s written other posts about self-publishing as well.
If you want to self-publish, that’s great. But if you’re an author starting out and wanting to get a publishing contract with a traditional publisher, you’re probably going to have to play by their rules and I’m glad for people like Rachelle who help authors gain insight to that.
No one is criticizing self-publishing.
Just reposted this Joanna! Excellent!