Why I’m Self-Publishing

1. Doing something is better than doing nothing.

I’m one drunk decision away from getting this as my next tattoo. It’s my new motto.

2. I just want to send it.

The possibility of self-publishing is the only thing that’s excited me about writing in a long time. I’m going to chase that feeling. This is not my last project ever. I will have more ideas. If this experiment doesn’t go the way I would like, it’s not the end of the world. I’m just going to try. Self-publishing to maybe 3 readers is better than letting my project rot forever.

3. My story’s structure is weird

My current project, The Wayfaring Stranger, has a very odd structure. It’s more a series of novellas than one cohesive novel. That’s part of what I struggled with back before my burnout began. I couldn’t wrap my head around restructuring it more like a traditional novel, and I knew if I couldn’t do that, a traditional publisher wouldn’t want anything to do with it. 

Solution: Self-publish as novellas! 

4. I love projects

I don’t necessarily mean only writing projects, just projects in general.

It might be crocheting a Baby Yoda!

That my dog immediately tried to eat…

Or it could be something like self-publishing. I have so many things to learn and practice and do. So much research. So much work. But, like my projects above, it’s work I actually want to do, so I’m going to do it. 

5. Control

For quite a while now, I’ve been feeling like I have no control over my life. In the real world I am a teacher and assistant swim coach for our high school girls and our USA club. Most of the stuff that happens with school and swimming, especially in 2020, is completely out of my control. Here’s an excerpt from a piece of daily writing I did about a month back:

I need to take charge of my life! But I’m not sure how. I’m always so tired with no motivation when it really counts. What the hell is wrong with me? I know it’s stupid and wrong to just complain and not take any steps to better the situation, but I really don’t know what to do.

So, taking these steps and beginning the journey of self-publishing is my way of taking control of at least part of my life. Self-publishing gives me control over every step of this process and right now that is very appealing.

Conclusion:

I will screw up a lot. I will need help and advice. I will learn so much. And I am very excited. 🙂