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is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date.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
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.
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.
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'm looking forward to the next step (which is just slightly outside my comfort zone!).
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1 2 3 … 9 Next »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.
Thanks Tammie - I know you understand the change!
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.
Thanks Karen and I will definitely be sharing more about promoting fiction. It is a different beast!
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.
Thanks Dan - I really do appreciate you and the others who have been following the journey! I'm committed to sharing how it progresses!
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!
Thanks Lorna - and it will be great to do stuff together as well.
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.
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!
Your personal story has given me a lot of encouragement. I am glad to be part of your community.
Thanks Ellis - I love our little tribe!
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!
Hi Kat - I hope there will be other posts to come - like "From nowhere to Kindle millionaire" :) and possibly other smaller goals achieved too!
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!
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!
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.
Thanks MaAnna - I know you understand the portfolio career idea as well, and all those bits come together somehow to create a life!
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.
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!