By the time most writers get an agent or a book deal, they have put in much time and effort. It feels like crossing a marathon finish line: breathless, exhausting, but exhilarating at the same time. I DID IT, the writer gasps mentally, and that’s usually when it begins. Imposter syndrome. Merriam-Webster defines imposter syndrome this way: a psychological condition that is characterized by persistent doubt concerning one’s abilities or accomplishments accompanied by the fear of being exposed as a fraud despite evidence of one’s ongoing success.
For the fiction writer, imposter syndrome might appear when reading another author’s book. Suddenly, your admiration of another writer’s talent becomes criticism of your own. Your world-building doesn’t feel as vivid, your character depth pales the more you read. For the nonfiction writer, perhaps your real life isn’t as pretty as the picture you’ve painted on the page. The grace and peace you write about so eloquently doesn’t always find it’s way into your living room when your kids start fighting (ask me how I know). Imposter syndrome doesn’t just rob us of our confidence, it quiets our voice, dims our talent, and steals our inspiration.
Let’s look at how we can fight back when it hits:
Recognize comparison for what it is
When you begin to compare yourself to another writer- their work, their platform, the opportunities they’ve been given, call it out. Sure, they may be flourishing in their lane, but that’s exactly what it is: their lane. We all have our own paths to travel. Your successes are yours to have, and you have earned them. This isn’t to say you can’t learn from those farther down the road than you-I encourage you to do so. We can admire another writer, cheer for their successes, and observe what worked for them on their journey, and what didn’t.
Realize imposter syndrome is the doorway to jealousy
That sounds wrong, doesn’t it? If we feel undeserving of our success, how is that related to jealousy? When we don’t own our own success, or right to be where we are, we begin to believe the opposite for others. “They have every right to be at the table, they’re a New York Times Bestseller!” This leads to our own lack of confidence, doubting every seat at a table we’ve occupied. It’s a vicious cycle that can result in strained writer friendships, not to mention a complete lack of gratitude for our own accomplishments. We must take time on this long publishing path to stop, rest, and celebrate our wins. Imposter syndrome robs us of our creativity, our inner voice telling us to strive for more and better, while the stress of out-performing our last project steals any inspiration. What’s meant for us will find us-there’s a peace in that, isn’t there? We don’t need to buy into the idea of scarcity, that someone else’s success equals our own lack of opportunity.
Return to reality
Our minds do a really good job of bullying us. While externally, it looks like we’ve got so much going for us, internally, we think we know the truth. My next book isn’t going to be a good as the last. I don’t have as many followers as so-and-so, it’s because my writing isn’t on the same level. I’m never going to figure this publishing thing out, I’m going to have to give up. If you wouldn’t say it to a friend, don’t say it to yourself. You’re not an imposter, or a fraud. You’ve worked hard to get where you are- hold tight to that. Sure, you have places you can grow- we all do (even those who seem to have it all). You are on your own path, and you’re right where you belong.
How about you, what helps you with imposter syndrome?
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