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is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date.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.
Jean Kotzur says
At the age of seventy, I think the way I want, I do what I want and I write what I want. The only concession I make is that everything I say, do or write must be within the law and not be detrimental to another persons’ character. Don’t refrain from doing something simply because someone tells you that you cannot do it. They are, more often than not, serving their own needs.
I have spent most of my life acting upon beliefs that were handed down, but which had lost their usefulness. If you want to get your book out to the reader then self publish. A Publisher is a person who has the power to ruin your writing career because he has not recognised the potential of your work. You’ve got the choice, its your decision, act upon it and get your work out to the readers and let them judge your potential as a writer. After all is said and done, the reader not the publisher, is the buyer.
Colin Dunbar says
Hi Johanna
Neat article, thanks. I really like the idea of giving oneself permission to write and self-publish. I’ve heard so many people who are afraid to write, and especially to self-publish their work.
Elisabeth says
Joanna – it is not easy giving ourselves permission to write and publish. Each day it’s a battle against all the negative comments, the self-doubt and the fear of the unknown. Writing and self-publishing is a hard endeavor, and the only one you can really count on is yourself. Thank you for all your support and information through the years, and here is hoping that more people can awake their inner self and realize – it is really all about freedom. With this new found freedom comes accountability, and the constant struggle to always try to deliver our best, and to stay positive in mind while doing it. So here’s to freedom!
Sharon Lippincott says
Yes, I’m one who has crossed the bridge from trad publishing to indie, but the first crossing was tippy. I signed contracts with a “first rights of refusal” clause. That seemed to be no problem at the time I signed it. I have two titles published by a small press that used to be referred to as an indie before the term morphed to become a euphemism for “self-published.” I love my publisher. I’ve been well-treated, and the more I learn about the costs of publishing, the happier I am with my contract. However … times change. Situations change. Companies change.
I’m happy that I was able to report with total honesty that my first indie project was an experiment with POD that I had no intention of promoting in any way. Of course they did not want to publish it and gave their approval. I have remained true to that non-promotion policy for that project to this day. I didn’t intentionally create that bind, but it did work in my favor for later.
If you do have such a non-compete, first rights of refusal, or any other restrictive clause in your contract, be aware that it can and may be enforced. Who knew?
Anthony Hill says
You’re absolutely right. I’ve been a journalist and author for half a century, and am just starting to blog and self-publish … and clicking that PUBLISH button is at once terrifying and hugely liberating. For the first time there is now no editor, publisher, production manager or big company apparatus between me and the readers. There’s just me, and the responsibility for every word I write.
Jean Reinhardt says
I couldn’t agree more with you Joanna. I loved writing in school and even when I left, I continued composing poems and keeping diaries. However, I never had the confidence to make a career out of it. I joined a writer’s workshop in 1989 and that started me off again, for a while, but I didn’t keep it up. Over the years I kept telling myself I should try, but felt I wasn’t good enough. Last spring I attended a course called A Time To Change and it has made me step out of my comfort zone. The result of that is my first book, which I am almost ready to self publish on Amazon. I’m in the middle of writing two more books, different genres, and I am a changed person. Why should I have to get permission from anyone other than myself to write, publish, connect? It does take courage to test out the water and leave yourself open to criticism, but by doing this I know I will grow as a person, and learn from the experience and hopefully encourage others to do the same.
afia says
Thanx Joanna,
I’ve forwarded the post to my filmmaker friend who was having a crisis of confidence last night after another rejection. When you stop seeking permission you find your mission as an artist. As someone thinking of self publishing, your information has been the clearest and most useful. keep up the great work
Joanna Penn says
Thanks for sharing Afia and I agree that this attitude carries into any art. I am excited about where I might get to in my own creativity if I keep giving myself permission so I hope your friend will get out there and make their films regardless! Indie film was happening before indie books 🙂
Holly Marie says
I think of writing as a right, not a privilege. If I were to have writing be a privilege then it would be next to impossible to succeed. Sure, some people never make it to bookstores but they are doing what they love. But I suppose writing is a privilege, as well. You won’t succeed if you don’t put your mind to it. I agree fully on what you are saying, thank you Joanna.
-Holly
christopher says
Dear Joanna,
Of all the posts, and many there are that are good, THIS is the ONE. This one speaks the most truth, truth needed to be known by any who seek to write. I am one who finds, and it is a singular position perhaps, considering all the crap that sells so well, that what is TRUE is best. I like stories about truth. That is what ‘fiction’ is to me, a way of speaking the truth that can be ingested by soft minds and by that, they become a bit ‘harder’; a bit stronger. So I am very proud that you are finding your TRUTH and scoffing now at all the rest and what ‘they’ will think. what they will think? it’s goddamned preposterous, if you think about it. And for a literary agent to be giving ‘permission’ to do anything? I wonder anymore what good any literary agents are for… I have so little respect for agents of any stripe, but much more so for literary agents that I will not even speak another word about them here.
Thank you for the posts, Joanna. I have learned a lot and I especially enjoy your podcast. That accent is the best fake accent ever. As I know you are from Brooklyn. 🙂
Joanna Penn says
Hi Christopher, I love the Brooklyn accent – I shall have to try it out 🙂
Ron Herron says
Joanna –
I worked for almost 40 years at a job that was often very creative, but I didn’t feel as good about any of it as much as I did when I first self-published.
At my age I didn’t think I had the time to try the traditional publishing route, and I’m glad I gave myself permission to write, and went indie. My first novel – “Reichold Street” was a Readers Favorite Gold Medal winner!
Writing and self-publishing is hard, and the only one you can really count on is yourself. But that’s very true in traditional publishing, too. Just more hoops to jump through to make someone else’s payday. I like being indie.
Keep posting the truth, Joanna!
Norman Huard says
There is truth in the old maxim–The pen is mightier than the sword. Those writers that give themselves permission to use this weapon responsibly to good and worthy cause know this; especially, those that, by doing so, put their lives in danger.
My stories, like Joanna’s, have a “dark and twisty” edge to them and I too have to fight my inner critic’s voice to give myself permission to take my readers to those places. It takes courage to take risks with your writing. When you do, then you see yourself grow as a writer.
Billie A Williams says
I’ve been taking a serious look at writer’s block – if there is such a thing–I think it’s because we fail to give ourselves permission – permission as you say to write, to be, to do, to publish and connect. I agree with your wonderful article. Thank you for saying so.
Mike Engleman says
Joanna…I am glad to read about your empowerment. Obviously, you are a much nicer person than me. As a former (way long ago) opinion writer for the Dallas Morning News and a Texas renegade, I have never needed anyone’s permission to say what I mean to say. However, without the DMN circulating my views, self publishing is a mighty fine vehicle.
Patricia Proctor says
I have permission. I am empowered. That would make a great daily affirmation.
Joanna Penn says
I’ll sort out the t-shirts Patricia!
EJ McLaughlin says
I’ve been fighting those negative nannies for years. All through my Diploma of Writing & Editing, I was told what not to write this, not to write that, I was even told you don’t need an imagination by another student who was also writing fiction.
I love this post because I feel the same way. When I finally stood up to those who told me what not to write, I felt good about myself. And that reflects in the stories you write.
Check out my blog dieversediegressions.wordpress.com it’s been a great way for me to express my struggles as a writer, employee and a mother and hopefully it will let other writers, facing the same challenges, that there is hope if you keep fighting for what you are passionate about.
EJ
Dionne Lew says
Oh here comes the hallelujah chorus from me to you JP for writing that article –
I am not sure if you ever read the Seth Godin post on the tyranny of waiting to be picked – it speaks volumes and I am sure you will resonate with it – http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/03/reject-the-tyranny-of-being-picked-pick-yourself.html
It’s one thing to be open to input and growth including from others – it’s another to outsource our locus of control or sense of value to people for whom we are at heart not all that important – and even if they were people who cared deeply about us and for whom we were very important – that’s still not enough to give away our right to decide for ourselves – with all the mistakes it will entail – what we do and what brings us meaning –
Joanna Penn says
Seth is definitely one of my major influencers and yes, I’ve been reading his blog for years now. That post, and many others have empowered me – picking ourselves is so important.
Ellise Weaver says
You so described me here. This has been a difficult thing for me to do–put myself out there for criticism for the whole world to see. It’s like dancing naked in the street (not something you necessarily want anyone to see…). Bravery grows, I’m finding. It’s still scary, but I’m enjoying all the new friends I’m making. I’m just about ready to self-publish my first novel, and I am worrying about all the things you’ve described. What I’m telling myself right now is GO FOR IT! What have we really got to lose?
I’ve really enjoyed all you have to share, Joanna. Thank you for putting yourself out there because you have so much good to share with us all. Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart!
Ellise~
Joshua Lawson says
I’m game! Where do I sign up? 🙂
Gemma Rolleman says
Thank you Joanna for this liberating post (I have been known to post a blog or a tweet only to wake in a panic during the night, terrified that my message will be taken the wrong way. Once, I even snuck downstairs and deleted a tweet I’d posted the previous day). I’m getting better at caring less.
Joanna Penn says
I still care deeply Gemma. I was petrified about this post 🙂 but we have to face these fears (every day!) and it passes …
Daniel Escurel Occeno says
When I first read the early sentences, I was expecting a corporate lawyer synopsis of what our rights are in self-publishing, since I knew that you were an advocate of the independent world in the writing industry. But the inspirational message is well-accepted. Please consider covering the corporate world law “stuff” for self-publishers, in the near future. I am the type that likes to follow rules. It helps me write and complete my novels instead of writing with a reckless abandonment. I bring it up because it is being discussed elsewhere of how self-publishers tend to think that they do not have to follow the rules and the laws that traditional publishing houses have to. Of course living at China or at North Korea or at Iran would be brought up. But I live on the Internet – originally called the World Wide Web – with me considering selling my works on Amazon and other E-venues, but currently doing the conservative lifestyle of sending somewhere who have corporate lawyers and guidelines.
Joanna Penn says
Hi Daniel – I’m not a lawyer and would never talk about the legal side of things. I suggest you check out http://www.thepassivevoice.com/ as David covers a lot of that stuff.