YOU HAVE PERMISSION by Lindsey Pogue

By Lindsey Pogue, The Dauntless Author creator and Sci-Fi/Fantasy author

I’ve been writing for over a decade, and in that time, I’ve discovered that many of my readers are also writers, or rather, want to be writers and published authors, but they are overwhelmed and afraid. 

It makes sense, right? People who read fiction want to be transported to another world or reality, so naturally, some gravitate toward storytelling of their own creation as well. 

That’s why, after years of my readers asking me similar questions, I started coaching aspiring and new authors and created The Dauntless Author. 

If you are a new author, an aspiring author, or a daydreamer who has always wanted to write, but it feels like a lofty, daunting idea, here’s my pep talk for you…

Following your dreams can be scary and vulnerable. In fact, anything out of your comfort zone would and should feel that way. Writing a book is no exception because we’re exposing ourselves to ridicule. As cringe-worthy as that is, it’s true. If you want to publish a book, you are flaying yourself open and hoping for the best with each set of new eyes that finds your work. You are asking readers to take a chance on you. That is a TERRIFYING feeling. Trust me, I know all about it.

But if you only focus on the fear, you miss out on the excitement of creating something. You miss out on the pride you feel completing it—of seeing your hard work become tangible. And the magical feeling of storytelling! You also miss out on everything you learn about yourself along the way.

Looking too far ahead at the what-ifs is just another way to self-sabotage and talk yourself out of doing what you’re passionate about. Don’t think big picture – think about now.

Writing and publishing is a process you build off of, one step and then another. You have a lot of muscles to hone, as well as growing to do before you’re ready to write THE END or hit PUBLISH, so don’t get ahead of yourself.

Most importantly, life is too short to deny yourself your dreams. What’s the worst that could happen if you sat down to write a book? So what if it never sees the light of day? So what if it’s complete crap when you’re finished because you have no idea what you’re doing? If you don’t know where to start, that’s okay, too; there are books, courses, and online resources to help you with that.

Just like every book starts with the first page, every adventure starts with the first step, and every muscle strengthens the more it’s used. All of this is to say you have to start somewhere.

But deep down, you know all of this already. So what’s really holding you back?

The lack of time to write and/or explore the idea of it? Then, jot ideas into your phone when you’re in a waiting room or while you’re having coffee in the morning before the kids wake up.

Maybe you worry you’ll tell someone you are writing a book but worry you will never finish it, and in turn, they will judge you—that you will judge yourself. Do you need someone to give you permission to focus on your own dreams instead of focusing on everyone else first?

Consider the ripple effect. I didn’t start writing to be a full-time author. I didn’t start out with the mindset to be a boss babe and run my own publishing press. NONE of that was in my plan. I’d had dozens of jobs I hated (I even majored in journalism and English, thinking it would scratch the writing itch, but it never did). It wasn’t until I took a chance that I started to feel empowered and, yes, terrified, but in a way that made me freer.

Over a decade later, with nearly 30 books under my belt, I am working for myself, doing what I love. Is it stressful and terrifying at times? UNDOUBTABLY. But it’s my passion. My business. My dream come true, and though I’ve never worked harder in my life, I can’t imagine my life being any different.

This is a long-winded way of giving you permission.

YOU ARE ALLOWED TO FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS AND PASSIONS.

YOU ARE ALLOWED TO BE SELFISH IN THIS. 

YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE.

Now, more than ever, it’s easy to start writing. Once you accept your fears and doubts, there are resources everywhere. The writing community is huge and supportive, and there is a place for you here with us.

You are the only one holding you back.

Sorry if that hurts, but again, I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know deep down.

Your first step…

If you are feeling inspired or hopeful about anything I’ve said, I challenge you to envision yourself sitting in your favorite room, nook, or coffee shop. Are you sitting with a notebook or your computer? What are you sipping on as the words start to flow? What sort of story are you writing?

If anything about this scene makes you a little bit giddy or a teensy bit excited, then why aren’t you doing it? There’s no harm in grabbing a coffee and sitting down to doodle on a note page, right? It’s time to let the daydreams flow!

“Don’t wait for the stars to be aligned. Reach up and rearrange them in the way you want. Create your own constellation.” -Pharrell

It’s worth repeating: You are the only one holding you back. You have the digital industry at your fingertips and a gazillion resources. It’s easier now than it has ever been to write and publish a book. It’s hard and exhausting, but if you want it, it’s there for the taking, and it’s a kick-ass ride. I invite you to join us!

—

Lindsey Pogue is a genre-bending fiction author best known for her soul-stirring survival adventures and timeless love stories. As an avid reader with a master’s in history and culture, Lindsey’s series cross genres and push boundaries, weaving together facts, fantasy, and romance set in rich, sweeping landscapes of epic proportions. When she’s not plotting her next storyline or dreaming up new, brooding characters, Lindsey is wrapped in blankets, watching action flicks with her own leading man. She and her husband live in Northern California with their rescue cats, Beast and Blue.

THE DARKEST WINTER

#1 in Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction, #1 in Women’s Adventure Fiction, #1 in U.S. Horror Fiction

Stephen King’s The Stand meets Firestarter in this super-human survival story, fraught with Crazies, beautifully broken characters, and bursting with raw emotion you can feel deep in your bones.

The Virus spread. Billions died. The Ending began.

A group of orphaned misfits. The wildlands of the last frontier. Superhuman abilities, harrowing adventures, and heartbreaking secrets.

Haunting shadows are nothing new to Elle St. James, she’s been running from them all her life. But since the outbreak spread from the lower forty-eight, new monsters lurk in the darkness. After Elle wakes from the fever, capable of horrific deeds, she fears she’s one of them. When she stumbles upon four orphans, Elle’s forced to discover what happens when her greatest fear becomes her darkest secret and her only hope of surviving.

After the world goes mad and takes his family with it, Jackson Mitchell tosses aside his badge and decides a bottle of bourbon and the depths of despair are preferable to any semblance of living. All of that changes, however, when a group of young survivors are in dire need of his help and Jackson sacrifices his blissful oblivion in order to keep them safe. As they trek further away from the collapsing cities, Jackson must rely on his knowledge of the backcountry and the traditions of his people, or succumb to the dangers of the Alaskan wilderness.

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Tags: featured, women writers

Category: On Writing