Book by Joanna Penn
Turn your Inner Darkness into Words
We all long to write boldly, without filters or fear.
To spin stories that capture the messy beauty of what it means to be human. Tales that bare the truth of living – darkness and all.
But something holds us back.
Whispers of “Who do you think you are?” and “You don’t have permission to write that.” Our own self-censorship and the judgement of others keep us from writing freely – and sometimes, from living fully.
But all great art taps into darkness, and your most compelling work emerges when you embrace your full humanity – both light and Shadow.
In Writing the Shadow, I’ll guide you on an intimate journey to explore the darkness and discover the gold lying hidden in its depths. Gold that may be the source of your best creative work in the years ahead.
The Shadow is calling. It’s time to turn your inner darkness into words.
From the ebook description.
Read this book if you love:
- writing craft books
- thoughts that touch on the shadow side
- story and working through underlying personal issues
My Review
I haven’t reviewed a non-fiction or craft book here yet, so I thought I would review one of the kickstarter books that I got from Joanna Penn, podcaster and author. The version that I’m reviewing is her audiobook, though I have the ebook, and will be getting the limited edition hardback. I estimate a month from now, it will be available from her store, followed by all major retailers.
What I loved:
First off, I love Joanna Penn’s podcast, and so listening to her narrate her audio book is like listening to her give advice personally. Especially this book, which speaks to her personal journey with her own shadows, in a way to help me with mine.
Joanna Penn’s craft and entrepreneurship books are created to help readers (and I equate listeners with readers) answer some of the questions that might crop up in their journey in a way that lets us explore our individual businesses. The questions that Joanna poses at the end of each section have me wondering what influences have made me, well, me. And what’s great about the format of this book specifically, is the way she starts off with personal shadows, follows by societal ones, and works her way to how you can use this to fuel your writing. It throws the things I write into the light.
Third, Joanna’s stories are personal enough that you understand that she knows what she’s talking about, yet universal enough that you see how it might apply it to yourself at the same time. They’re more than just her experience, they’re lead-ins to your own experience.
Finally, I love the fact that she offers tips for Writing the Shadow, that help you come back out of its exploration if it gets too dark.
What I didn’t love:
With the audio book, it does get hard in this format to have some breathing room between the questions that she asks. I would highly recommend getting her workbook with her audiobook, (she offers one with every single craft book she writes) so that you have guidance and a place to write down your thoughts, at your own leisure.
With the audio book, it’s hard to know right away if she’s quoting another author or expert until she does. Not a dealbreaker, but more of some information for you.
Finally, if you are really diving deep into trauma, as Joanna Penn writes, this might be work you want to do with a therapist. Otherwise, I think this book is an excellent dive into the darker side of human nature, with enough questions to have you reflecting on
My Analysis
POV:
1st, past, Joanna Penn
Genre:
External: Big Idea non-fiction
Controlling idea: You aren’t substantial if you don’t cast a shadow. (Carl Jung)
Other:
Violence: none, but she brings up these topics.
Gore: none, but she brings up these topics.
Romance/Sex: references to sex.
Series: standalone
Reality Clover: Reality
Reference:
Website: https://www.thecreativepenn.com
When my dark horse stumbles, my white horse drives us hard along the highway, never stopping for rest.
But if she dominates for too long, my dark horse rears up and runs out of control, driving us toward the cliff edge.
My white horse has often been stronger.
I’ve always worked hard, got good grades, behaved well, earned enough money to support myself, paid my taxes early.
But the more I let my white horse dominate, the more my dark one rears up unexpectedly and takes over until she exhausts herself with all the things that nice girls shouldn’t do…
I’ve tried to muzzle her, strap her down, regulate her chaos.
But she rears her head, shakes her mane, stamps her hooves, paws the dirt.
Let me run.
Joanna Penn, Writing the Shadow
HC Fitzpatrick 