Writer Imposter Syndrome

If you’re reading this article you’ve probably suffered from imposter syndrome. In fact, you may be suffering from it right now. I know I sure am.

I’ve been a full time writer for over two years. Before that, I wrote professionally as a side hustle. But I still struggle with how to tell people what I do. I figure if I tell them I’m a writer they’ll want to know what I’ve published. And although I am published regularly, chances are they won’t have read any of my short stories or articles.

When people hear the word writer, they think author. And while I am working diligently toward getting a real, live book out into the world (at least teh digital world), I don’t have any books published under my own name yet. So I hem and haw, and try and explain what I do that justifes the term the writer.

But why do I do this?

I’ve never kept track of how many words I write per week. I’m too busy writing, brainstorming, editing, and revising to worry about that. But I write emails and blog posts and product descirptions and website copy and landing pages every day. And that’s just in my day job.

There is no doubt I am a writer. So why can’t I claim it?

Imposter syndrome

Becasue of impster syndrome. Imposter Syndrome is that pesistent slef-doubt that refuses to believe your successes are legitimately earned and well-deserved. It’s a refusal to believe in your own talents and abilities. A constant questioning of whether you are good enough.

If you attribute your success to luck, rather than hard work, you probably have imposter syndrome.

When you suffer from imposter syndrome you fear that you are one bad article or book away from being found out. That somehow, up until now, you’ve managed to trick everyone into believing you know what you’re dong. But soon they will all find out that you are a fraud.

Perfectionists and Type As are particularly prne to imposter syndrome. As are new writers. But it’s an affliction that infects even seasoned writers too. “I have written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. ‘”

Imposter syndrome is crippling

Imposter syndrome sucks. It reduces productivity. Leads to anxiety and depression. And. . . .

Every week I submit all the content I’ve written to my boss for review. And every week I feel sick to my stoamch when I do this. This feeling has nothing to do with her. She’s the best boss anyone could ask for. She’s kind, helpful, . . . Most of the time she approves my work as I submitted it. When she doesn’t, her comments or questions make it deciedely better–which is what I strive for as a writer.

“I have written eleven books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. ‘”

Maya Angelou

I have no trouble taking feedback. I know I am not perfect. And the attack isn’t eprsonal anyway. It’s not about me. It’s about my writing. Newsflash–they are not the same thing. Even though imposter syndrome will try and tell you that they are. I want to improve. After an initial momentary bristle (I’m only human), I embrace critiques and get to work revising. But every week I wait on pins and needles while she reviews the content. My heart races with every alert that comes across my watch and I find myself refreshing our Monday board over and over again waiting to see if I will get the dark green stamp of approval. (We use color-coded tags in our project management softward and Approved is dark green).

Conquering imposter syndrome

Admittedly, I don’t have this all figured out. See above. But in my work as a book coach I help clients overcome, or at least understand imposter sydrome so they can move past it. Maybe one of these tips will resonatw with you too.

Here are five tips for overing imposter syndrome:

Embrace the writer you are

Many writers think they have to be published to call themselvs a writer. And by published, they mean traditionally published. That’s a great goal. If you want it. But it is not what makes you a writer. If you write, you are a writer.

Whether that’s blog posts on our own blog, fan fiction, unpublished novels piling up in your drawer or on your laptop. The only criteria for being a writer is to write. Which, is not as easy as it sounds. But if you are doing the hard work of putting words on a page most days of the week, you are a writer.

Redefine success

Another great way to deal with imposter syndrome is to set writing goals for yourself. All you have to do is acheive the goals to celebrate success.

Now, make sure the goals you write are attainable. And that you are in control of attaining them. Winning a Pulitzer or topping the New York Times Bestseller List (a dubious goal at best anyway) is not what I’m talking about here. But things like:

• Write every day for thirty minutes
• Write three thousand words a day
• Complete a novel in six months
• Connect with a writing community
• Hire a book coach
• Put writer in your LInkedIn bio

These are the kind of concrete goals you can acieve and that can help you overcome imposter syndrome.

Connect with other writers

Writing can be a lonely profession. Most of the work is done alone. Even if you go to a coffee shop or public place to write, nobody can help you get the words from your head to the page. And often what you are writing feels like a part of you. Whether you are drafting a blog post about animal shelters for a client (btw if you have a client, you are a writer), a personal essay for Medium, or a novel you plan to sell, each word is like a little piece of your soul on the page.

It’s helpful to seek out other writers. A writers group, a critique group, an online writing community. One of my favorites is The Write Practice. You can find tons of writers on social media. Try the hashtags #writer, #amwriting, or … When you surround yourself with like minded people you will see that you’re imposeter syndrome feelings are pretty universal. You’ll bond with others going through the same challenges you’ll feel so much less alone.

Plus. you also might just find some positive support and encouragement that can help when self-doubt starts to creep in.

Collect postivie feedback

Keep a collection of positive feedback. Did you get a positive critique from a writing submission? Win a contest? Get a comment from a reader that made you feel all warm and tingly? Hold on to these postivie .

It’s hard to get out of your own head. And the thing about writing is, it is never finished. You could always rework and revise and make it better. So as a writer you tend to be drawnt to the flaws in your own work becasue you know it so intimately.

But when others tell yout that your work is good, rust them. Their distancwe from the writing process makes them more objectie. And besides, you aren’t writing for yourself. Good writers write for the reader. When a reader says “good job” or “I love this piece” or “I felt like you were talking to me,” hold on to that praise. I even recommedn that my writers keep a

Work with a coach

Another great strategy to deal with imposter syndrome is to hire a writing coach. You want to find someone who will not only help you strenghten your writing, but also you mindset.

A coach can be your biggest cheerleader. She will be sure to share positive feedback. And she’ll help you frame achieve writing goals. You can learn more about book coaching here.

And remember, imposter syndrome makes you feel like you aren’t a “real writer.” The best way to comabt that is to just keep writing.

Happy writing!