Good stuff, Simon. All good tips, but no. 2 I'd say is practically essential. The moment you distance yourself from Your Writing Self, everything gets so much easier. James Kinsley the author is a totally different entity to the guy who lives in my house. And that helps not just with sharing writing, but everything - going to events, speaking in public, responding to feedback, everything
Agreed! It helps get past that self-doubt. If I'm worried about Simon Jones not being able to do something, it's not really an issue - because Simon K Jones can definitely handle it.
Does this just make us sound a bit mad, though, I wonder? 🤔😂
I love that you use a different middle initial for your writer self! Alice Cooper has talked about the character he plays when he’s on stage, and I guess it’s a similar type of thing. Although for me and my writer self I tend to think of my shy dad’s market trader persona - he had a hat for every season and when he put that hat on he became Sweet Stall Man, the bantering guy who wanted to sell you a quarter of sherbet lemons. A version of him, but very much not the version he was at home.
Exactly. It’s not like it’s a total personality swap. It’s just a tweak in a particular direction. Emphasising some attributes over others, depending on the situation.
I love the idea of your dad using actual hats. Telegraphing your mood by walking into a room wearing a specific hat does rather appeal to me.
This was very useful and timely, as I lately have been questioning myself about why anyone would want to read my ramblings unless they were utterly perfect and universal. I don't know why I have the hesitation I sometimes do about sharing my memoir writing. (It is rather personal!) This seems to be the perfect platform to develop my voice. It's nice to read someone's words that encourage me in that.
Point #3 really spoke to me. “Don’t wait to be perfect.” I was scared that my writing wasn’t any good which was why I didn’t write for four years but now I’ve decided to reclaim this hobby.
I’ve realized that my writing can never be “perfect” and that all I can do is my best. This acceptance gave me the courage to start working on a serial I’ll be publishing later next month.
I’ve decided to focus on the things I can control like editing, proofreading, and revising. I may not be able to make my story “perfect” but I can have the satisfaction that I’ve put my utmost effort into it
When first beginning to write speeches for political candidates it was intimidating... you send it around to a large internal group, and EVERYONE has an opinion. Receiving that "excellent first draft" email from a key consultant or other internal person of stature is exhilarating. Here's what made it easier: I've busked with guitar at DC metro train stations -- and while I knew I was "good enough" to do so without embarrassing myself, you're really out there on a high wire. My guitar playing was better than my vocals but after awhile all was good because people left money or smiled walking by. Same thing with speechwriting and other executive-type content: go into it with confidence, roll with the punches and keep getting better. By putting yourself out there, you keep getting better.
I also cut my teeth in a different medium. Back in the 2000s and early 2010s I worked at a software company and basically ended up being the face of the company in all the video tutorials that went up on YouTube. Hundreds of videos, with me front and centre.
Of course, that was in a professional capacity. But learning how to deal with YouTube comments helped steel me for publishing my writing a few years later. Learning how to do something in one context can be very useful for then applying those skills elsewhere.
The trick with having confidence is in also being able to recognise the things you’re not good at. Hence you sometimes see indie writers designing their own front covers when they don’t have the skills. My go-to extreme version of this is in that old X-Factor TV show, when they’d show the early auditions and it would be an endless procession of people who absolutely could not sing (basically cruelty TV, which I’m very glad is less prevalent these days). In those cases, at some point earlier in their lives (ie, before they went on national TV), a friend or family member should have politely explained to them that they didn’t have the necessary skill.
And that’s the hard bit: how do we become self-aware enough to be able to identify the things things we’re really good at (but perhaps need more confidence) versus the things we’re quite bad at (but maybe have too MUCH confidence).
Very helpful. I have just recently decided to crest a writing persona and it has helped immensely with putting my work into the universe. Thanks for the tips!
LOVE this. 🙌🏽 I'm working on #2 - separating my overly-sensitive soul from my creations (middle initial is smart! Both of my mentors Ursula K. Le Guin and Octavia E. Butler did this, why not me?) Fear is my favorite writing partner, and frequent topic. 😱 I've shelved (not quite abandoned!) 6 SF/F short stories, three novels, and a few non-fiction book-length manuscripts, for fear they weren't ready for market. Such a conundrum, when our work is often rejected by agents & editors! Here's to being BRAVE, completing our edits, and sharing widely for notes.
One thing that’s helped me with the doubt: being nitpicky with writing I enjoy. I write an audio sitcom that I put out as a podcast, so I’ve had to learn to judge ‘good enough’, but honestly listening to a series I love and being really critical helps. Once you notice that you can be critical about a BBC series you’ve enjoyed for years, you realise nothing is perfect and more importantly that it doesn’t have to be perfect for people to enjoy it, respond to it, and be loyal fans. Depending on your personality, this might stop you loving that series, so be warned, but it works for me.
This is an excellent point! I studied film (and English) at university, and for a brief period I struggled to really enjoy movies, because I was always analysing.
Over time that shifted so that I could do both at the same time. But you’re right: that recognition that things you love are not perfect is a real help when it comes to creating your own work.
Great piece, Simon. I've been won over to the "give it away for free" approach - which I was antagonistic towards to begin with. I think it takes the pressure off, and allows you to share without feeling like you're selling. And also it's the best discovery method. Given that the alternative is to self-publish and throw money at ads, I think this is better value for money - or at least, I'm willing to think so while I try this route.
There are definitely many benefits. The main drawback being, of course, that you’re not making as much money. :D
Theoretically, at least — I’m pretty sure I’ve got more paid subscribers now that I would have had if I’d paywalled everything. Can’t know for sure, but I just don’t think I’d have the reader base if I hadn’t gone this route.
Ha, yes. That darn fear. I just started putting my writing out there and can say that there has been a shift in the way I think about my writing and about myself. I'm on week five of releasing a chapter a week of in-progress serial novel and I felt a lot of what you write about, most of it in the last week as the act of publishing weekly is finally starting to sink in.
I tell myself that I don't care, not a whit, about how many people read my writing, about what they think. I am, for the most part, enjoying myself and that should be enough. Then I lost a sub and it sent me spiralling. It made me realize that I still care, too much, about what other people think. How can I not? We are human. We look for that validation, even if we think we don't. Well, I didn't wallow too long and used the feeling to double-down on the idea that I, the writer, need to enjoy what I am writing. And I do. That has to be enough.
It is hard. Negative stuff always lands harder than positive stuff. Even if rationally we know how to deal with it, emotionally it’s very easy to be caught off-guard.
Do make sure you turn off unsubscribe notifications, though — they don’t do anyone any good!
Good stuff, Simon. All good tips, but no. 2 I'd say is practically essential. The moment you distance yourself from Your Writing Self, everything gets so much easier. James Kinsley the author is a totally different entity to the guy who lives in my house. And that helps not just with sharing writing, but everything - going to events, speaking in public, responding to feedback, everything
Agreed! It helps get past that self-doubt. If I'm worried about Simon Jones not being able to do something, it's not really an issue - because Simon K Jones can definitely handle it.
Does this just make us sound a bit mad, though, I wonder? 🤔😂
I love that you use a different middle initial for your writer self! Alice Cooper has talked about the character he plays when he’s on stage, and I guess it’s a similar type of thing. Although for me and my writer self I tend to think of my shy dad’s market trader persona - he had a hat for every season and when he put that hat on he became Sweet Stall Man, the bantering guy who wanted to sell you a quarter of sherbet lemons. A version of him, but very much not the version he was at home.
Exactly. It’s not like it’s a total personality swap. It’s just a tweak in a particular direction. Emphasising some attributes over others, depending on the situation.
I love the idea of your dad using actual hats. Telegraphing your mood by walking into a room wearing a specific hat does rather appeal to me.
I have a writing trilby, though I don’t tend to wear it anymore. I should resurrect it.
That's just an occupational hazard though, right?
This was very useful and timely, as I lately have been questioning myself about why anyone would want to read my ramblings unless they were utterly perfect and universal. I don't know why I have the hesitation I sometimes do about sharing my memoir writing. (It is rather personal!) This seems to be the perfect platform to develop my voice. It's nice to read someone's words that encourage me in that.
Point #3 really spoke to me. “Don’t wait to be perfect.” I was scared that my writing wasn’t any good which was why I didn’t write for four years but now I’ve decided to reclaim this hobby.
I’ve realized that my writing can never be “perfect” and that all I can do is my best. This acceptance gave me the courage to start working on a serial I’ll be publishing later next month.
I’ve decided to focus on the things I can control like editing, proofreading, and revising. I may not be able to make my story “perfect” but I can have the satisfaction that I’ve put my utmost effort into it
Exactly. Pursuit of perfection doesn't do anyone any good if the end result is...nothing.
And of course, what is "perfect" anyway, but a shifting standard? Your "perfect" now will not be your "perfect" in a year's time. Good luck!
Thank you!
When first beginning to write speeches for political candidates it was intimidating... you send it around to a large internal group, and EVERYONE has an opinion. Receiving that "excellent first draft" email from a key consultant or other internal person of stature is exhilarating. Here's what made it easier: I've busked with guitar at DC metro train stations -- and while I knew I was "good enough" to do so without embarrassing myself, you're really out there on a high wire. My guitar playing was better than my vocals but after awhile all was good because people left money or smiled walking by. Same thing with speechwriting and other executive-type content: go into it with confidence, roll with the punches and keep getting better. By putting yourself out there, you keep getting better.
There’s two really interesting points there.
I also cut my teeth in a different medium. Back in the 2000s and early 2010s I worked at a software company and basically ended up being the face of the company in all the video tutorials that went up on YouTube. Hundreds of videos, with me front and centre.
Of course, that was in a professional capacity. But learning how to deal with YouTube comments helped steel me for publishing my writing a few years later. Learning how to do something in one context can be very useful for then applying those skills elsewhere.
The trick with having confidence is in also being able to recognise the things you’re not good at. Hence you sometimes see indie writers designing their own front covers when they don’t have the skills. My go-to extreme version of this is in that old X-Factor TV show, when they’d show the early auditions and it would be an endless procession of people who absolutely could not sing (basically cruelty TV, which I’m very glad is less prevalent these days). In those cases, at some point earlier in their lives (ie, before they went on national TV), a friend or family member should have politely explained to them that they didn’t have the necessary skill.
And that’s the hard bit: how do we become self-aware enough to be able to identify the things things we’re really good at (but perhaps need more confidence) versus the things we’re quite bad at (but maybe have too MUCH confidence).
Sorry, went off on a bit of a ramble there.
Thank you! Very solid read
Thanks for reading, Latrell!
Thank you Simon, quite enlightening.
Very helpful. I have just recently decided to crest a writing persona and it has helped immensely with putting my work into the universe. Thanks for the tips!
Currently reading A Little Life, more than a million sold. Ugh! Just ugh! The first 100 pages were promising, the next 700, not so much.
Great tips for writers all around, Simon. Glad to have found writers like yourself and others to build a network with here on Substack.
BRAVERY with FEAR
LOVE this. 🙌🏽 I'm working on #2 - separating my overly-sensitive soul from my creations (middle initial is smart! Both of my mentors Ursula K. Le Guin and Octavia E. Butler did this, why not me?) Fear is my favorite writing partner, and frequent topic. 😱 I've shelved (not quite abandoned!) 6 SF/F short stories, three novels, and a few non-fiction book-length manuscripts, for fear they weren't ready for market. Such a conundrum, when our work is often rejected by agents & editors! Here's to being BRAVE, completing our edits, and sharing widely for notes.
Yes to all of that!
Thank you. This was useful and timely as I was actively engaged in resisting point number 3. Just the nudge I needed.
Very nice post. "I am a writer." There, that was easy. I just need to say it out loud - all the time.
Thank you again, Simon. I'd like to visit Norwich some day and buy you a pint.
I mean, don’t be saying it all the time. People might look at you funny as you’re walking down the street muttering under your breath.
You’re right. You want to be judicious about it.
One thing that’s helped me with the doubt: being nitpicky with writing I enjoy. I write an audio sitcom that I put out as a podcast, so I’ve had to learn to judge ‘good enough’, but honestly listening to a series I love and being really critical helps. Once you notice that you can be critical about a BBC series you’ve enjoyed for years, you realise nothing is perfect and more importantly that it doesn’t have to be perfect for people to enjoy it, respond to it, and be loyal fans. Depending on your personality, this might stop you loving that series, so be warned, but it works for me.
This is an excellent point! I studied film (and English) at university, and for a brief period I struggled to really enjoy movies, because I was always analysing.
Over time that shifted so that I could do both at the same time. But you’re right: that recognition that things you love are not perfect is a real help when it comes to creating your own work.
Great piece, Simon. I've been won over to the "give it away for free" approach - which I was antagonistic towards to begin with. I think it takes the pressure off, and allows you to share without feeling like you're selling. And also it's the best discovery method. Given that the alternative is to self-publish and throw money at ads, I think this is better value for money - or at least, I'm willing to think so while I try this route.
There are definitely many benefits. The main drawback being, of course, that you’re not making as much money. :D
Theoretically, at least — I’m pretty sure I’ve got more paid subscribers now that I would have had if I’d paywalled everything. Can’t know for sure, but I just don’t think I’d have the reader base if I hadn’t gone this route.
Do you paywall anything, currently?
Ha, yes. That darn fear. I just started putting my writing out there and can say that there has been a shift in the way I think about my writing and about myself. I'm on week five of releasing a chapter a week of in-progress serial novel and I felt a lot of what you write about, most of it in the last week as the act of publishing weekly is finally starting to sink in.
I tell myself that I don't care, not a whit, about how many people read my writing, about what they think. I am, for the most part, enjoying myself and that should be enough. Then I lost a sub and it sent me spiralling. It made me realize that I still care, too much, about what other people think. How can I not? We are human. We look for that validation, even if we think we don't. Well, I didn't wallow too long and used the feeling to double-down on the idea that I, the writer, need to enjoy what I am writing. And I do. That has to be enough.
It is hard. Negative stuff always lands harder than positive stuff. Even if rationally we know how to deal with it, emotionally it’s very easy to be caught off-guard.
Do make sure you turn off unsubscribe notifications, though — they don’t do anyone any good!
This is helpful, encouraging, practical advice offered in a humble, thoughtful manner. Thank you.
Thanks for reading.