Unpublishable Writing: the Freedom of writing for yourself

Writing can be incredibly cathartic. Unpublishable writing is a form of artistic expression free from the pressures and expectations of publishing. It’s a way for anyone, specifically writers, to process their own thoughts, experiment with different styles or abstract ideas, or to simply enjoy their craft without the worry of how it will be received by others. These writings aren’t intended for public consumption – not because of the writing’s quality, but because of its personal, experimental, or niche nature.

Even if the work isn’t intended for the public eye, free writing is a great way to develop your storytelling and writing skills. Writing on the regular, regardless of publication, hones your technical skills (grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary), cultivates your unique voice, and enhances your pacing.

Unpublishable writing offers a playground for experimentation with diverse styles, genres, and techniques, free from market constraints. You might discover new voices, ideas, characters, or plotlines without the need to refine them for an audience. This will allow you to take risks, make mistakes, build confidence and, it affords discovery.

For scribes struggling with writer’s block, unpublishable writing can serve as a way to break out of their creative freeze. When writers are stuck, it can be incredibly helpful to change things up and try something new. Unpublishable writing can provide the freedom to explore and play and helps writers to break from their comfort zone, and discover new ways of writing.

Furthermore, unpublishable writing can foster a consistent writing habit, maintaining motivation and focus. This will make it easier to stay in the flow of writing.

One practical tip for unpublishable writing is to set aside specific times in your schedule dedicated solely to writing for yourself. Carving out dedicated blocks of time, free from the pressure of external expectations, can create a space for you to explore your creativity, and write purely for the joy of your craft. Unpublishable writings aren’t edited, so don’t get derailed by perfection. Instead, focus on the process. Nobody need ever see the end product so there’s no need for it to be polished or shared.

Beyond dedicated writing time, exploring diverse forms of unpublishable creations can be enriching. Techniques like stream-of-consciousness writing, character sketches, or experimental poetry can help you discover new strengths, and possibly new interests.

Stream-of-consciousness writing allows thoughts to flow unfiltered onto the page, potentially revealing unexpected insights, and uncover subconscious themes. Character sketches let writers deeply explore the motivations and personalities of imagined individuals. This can strengthen their character development skills and inspire new story ideas.

There are many examples of works that began as unpublished, unpressured writing but later evolved into published pieces. Some notable examples include Anne Frank’s famous diary, “The Diary of a Young Girl”, originally written as a private journal before being edited and published posthumously. J.D. Salinger developed early versions of Holden Caufield, the protagonist of "Catcher in the Rye", in short stories and unpublishable writings before expading the character into the full novel. Mary Shelley's iconic novel, “Frankenstein” started as a short story written during a famous ghost story writing challenge, before being expanded into her famous published work. 

These examples demonstrate how the freedom of unpublished writing can sometimes lead to the creation of powerful, publishable works. My own unpublishable work was a series of short stories, scenes set in a noir fantasy world that one day became a submission to a literary magazine. It was through that published excerpt in the Clackamas Literary Review that I was discovered by New York literary agent, Nat Sobel of Sobel Weber and Associates.

It’s essential to emphasize the importance of writing without the pressure of publication, allowing the creative process to flow unimpeded. In this vein, the role of feedback in unpublishable writing becomes a valuable tool for growth. While the work remains private, selective sharing with trusted peers can provide invaluable insights and encouragement, fostering development and reinforcing the joy of writing for its own sake.

Unpublishable writing is a valuable tool for any writer looking to explore their creativity without the pressure of publication. By setting aside dedicated time for writing that is purely for their own enjoyment, writers can experiment with different styles and techniques, break out of creative ruts, and build a stronger writing habit. And who knows? As the examples of Anne Frank, J.D. Salinger, and Mary Shelley demonstrate, sometimes even the most unpublishable writing can lead to powerful, publishable works. So go ahead, give yourself permission to delve into some unpublishable writing and find freedom in the art of writing for yourself without constraints, and see where your imagination takes you.

~ Dani