If you don’t know what Imposter Syndrome is, it simply means thinking you aren’t a writer or blogger when you are. Many people think that the sole cause of Imposter Syndrome lies within the mind of the writer, who sees themselves falling short in some way.
When I was a teenager, I wanted to become a writer. In my sophomore year, I had an English teacher who inspired me to write. She told us to go home and begin a journal. The idea took off in me, and I wrote in my journal as much as I could.
While I never envisioned myself writing a book, my father completely shot down my writing career ideas as being unrealistic. I listened and walked away from the writing idea; I chose a teaching career and journaled on the side.
After a decade of teaching, a book grew within me, so when I came home to care for my children as a stay-at-home mom, I wrote even more. You see, I was a writer, and I did not even know it.
So, if you write day and night, slaving away at those keys while writing a book, blog, or article, remember you are the writer. When people shove you back for acting like a writer, remember, you are a writer no matter what they say.
Real writers:
- Write no matter what people say
- Use their skills to write no matter who reads it.
- They don’t just write for the money
- Improve and grow in their ability to write.
- Publish wherever they are accepted.
So, are you a real writer? Chances are, you are not the imposter if you are doing the things listed above.
How did I become a writer?
I personally did not dream of becoming a writer. I felt like I had a career in teaching and that was enough.
Sure, I had this book idea in my mind, but I simply did not believe that I could actually do it. Then, I came home to raise my second son.
I had a book I wanted to write (a few of them, actually). Yet, I was busy with my babies and my job for years, that is, until life took a turn in one day.
My son was born with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), a partial genetic deletion or double imprinting of chromosome 15. What it means is that my son had almost no muscle tone and could only move his eyes. The rest has unfolded over the years through a myriad of hormonal shifts in his body. PWS simply is an extremely complicated syndrome.
My skill set needed to change to caring for an infant full time who was unable to feed himself, move, or even talk. So, I did what any smart girl would do, I researched everything I could online to understand my son’s care.
I searched for solutions to the many problems and issues that came up with my son’s health. And when the doctors had no solutions other than to monitor this frail baby in my lap, I began to write. I had to. I felt as if I had no other recourse but to write.
Writing cleared my head and gave me purpose. It helped me gain insight into something so earth-shattering as the poor health of your baby whom only God can fix.
The pain and confusion in my life had just turned into a new chapter that simply did not compute. Difficulty and tragedy do not usually make sense anyway, and my brain simply could not register the shift that had occurred in our lives without warning, at least not at first.
The long hours of tube feedings, therapies, and doctor appointments gave way to long naps on my son’s part. Since sleep was not something I gave into frequently during this season, naptime was when I heard myself and my thoughts.
So I began to write.
Oh, it was rocky at best. The words did not flow and I found my grammar was shaky. But, I persisted and soon found myself becoming the writer I always wanted to be. It was purely unplanned and probably by design as I discovered who I really was.
I went from a wannabe writer to a mom blogger and Indie author. I found myself becoming a full-time caregiver to my special needs son overnight and launching my writing career at the same time. The homemaker idea shifted to meeting my son’s and my family’s needs, but it always included words on a screen.
While the special needs life wasn’t something I had planned, it was necessary to launch my written soul. Writing became a part of me, just as much as my breathing. It is as if God touched my soul so that I would write and be the mom and the woman He called me to be.
I had to write and I had to express what was locked up inside me as I poured my words onto my screen.
Now, nearly eighteen years later, here I am, still writing. I write to grab a reader’s attention, sure, but I write to share the message I know I need to share.
Do I have room for change in my work? Well, of course. Writing remains a life-long process that ebbs and flows, gives and takes. We spend our lives trying to arrive at that perfect post, article, or book, only to fail miserably at perfection. It simply is not possible but we try anyway.
Perfection is an elusive friend. I am no longer the wannabe writer, but the real writer, paid or not, imperfections and all. I write because I am. I cannot stop myself.
What about you, friend?
Are you a writer? Do you have a dream to write? Is there a seed within you to write a book or some other work? What happened to you in life that spoke so deeply to you that you just knew you had to write? What is it that needs to come out and bloom?
I adjure you to write. Write until you have nothing left to say then come back and write again. Practice, plan and create until you achieve the dream — the call to write your very own masterpiece that speaks what you need to say to the world.
You will never regret it.
How do you know if you are a real writer?
Many of us ask this question when we first launch into writing. The truth is that only a handful of people believe they are writers, even when it remains glaringly obvious to others. But, just for argument’s sake, let me ask you a few questions?
- Do you write stories just for fun?
- Are you writing every chance you get?
- Do you love words?
- How about orally telling stories you simply have not written down, but plan to?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are definitely a “real” writer. Having a bestseller on Amazon does not make you a real writer, nor does getting published by a publisher.
Don’t real writers write only for money?
Truthfully, real writers write because they must. They feel this urge to put words to thoughts, or tell stories. Real writers don’t always write for money. And really, writing for money has become a necessity for many of us, but some people hate writing but write for money.
There will be times you write for money, and times you write for creativity. Each time you sit down to write and complete a written work, you must decide if this is a piece you want to sell or one you want to write because you must.
But, remember this, if we all write only for money, then we miss that creative work within us that the world must hear. Our stories and narratives need telling; it simply depends on the timing of our endeavors. You might even want to write a novel but haven’t actually begun writing it yet.
Learn copywriting if you must, but write that book you always wanted to write on the side!
Do you have to have a writing-related degree?
But, what if you simply cannot get over this imposter syndrome thing? I mean, what makes you a writer anyway? Do you need a degree? Do you need to publish a book to “become” a writer? The fact is, that you become a writer because you are one. Hmmm…
While getting a college degree helps anyone, it is not necessary to have a degree in Fine Arts, or even a Journalism degree to become a writer. You are either born a writer, with a drive and a desire to do it, or you aren’t.
Some people have degrees in writing-related fields and are not really writers at heart!
So, if you struggle with Imposter Syndrome, or you simply want to get started writing, then read these steps.
How to eliminate Imposter Syndrome
While self-perception plays a huge role in a writer’s defeatism, publishers and business owners tell them they are not good enough. Frankly, individuals in the writing world tell hardworking writers they are not enough, because to them money is the whole point of writing.
If you are a newbie writer and blogger, you think, well, they may be right. I mean, who am I? I don’t write well enough to be on a bestseller list. But, a real writer isn’t only on the bestseller list, in fact, some authors on that list didn’t even write their own books.
Try these steps to get out of Imposter Syndrome and proudly wear your writer badge!
Step One: Just write
I see all sorts of ways to overcome writer’s block on the Internet. Read here for tips about overcoming writer’s block! Get plugging away at writing, whether it is in a journal, blogging, or even writing a book.
Sure, pound away at the keys, but write with a purpose. Create an outline for a book or an article. Write with a purpose, so that work towards the goal of a finished product.
- Choose your topic
- Take your reader on a journey
- Add in words to create pictures in the reader’s mind
- Insert well-researched facts
- Tell stories in nonfiction to make a point
Sometimes writing is just about self-expression, and still other times, it remains a way to share a truth or even a story with the world. Whatever you feel called to first, begin with that, and the rest will follow.
But, don’t just write a few words and stop. Write at least 1,500 words 4-5 days a week! Stop being a perfectionist and write out the object of your creation, then go back and edit your words to perfection. The more you write, the more you find your direction.
Step Two: Grow your skills
One thing writing teaches you is that you don’t know everything about writing. We all come to writing with different levels of skills and experiences. Further, even the best writers strive to improve their writing skills.
Taking classes online or even locally in person helps to improve your writing. Check the following websites.
- Writer’s Digest
- WOW-Women on Writing
- LinkedIn Learning
- Gotham Writers Workshop (online)
- Coursera
- Mashable has an interesting list of courses
- Jane Friedman’s online classes
Sign up for newsletters sent out by other writers and tune in to writers selling their private courses. Someone is always putting their expertise out there for a price!
Plus, plenty of other writers publish their knowledge in well-thought-out books you find on Amazon. Don’t forget the writing greats, but also read authors who may be lesser-known hacks in your writing genre.
You do not need a degree to become a writer.
Step Three: Choose your genre
When we write and create with our words, we can lose our focus. Choosing our favorite genre to spend the majority of our writing time on, helps us focus our efforts. One thing that becomes clear with time in the public online world, is that writing must reach its readers.
If you write purely for yourself, then you are a writer, but you will not share it with the world. Choose a genre you hold a passion for, and then pour your heart and soul into it.
Even if you write a more dry nonfiction topic, selecting your genre ensures success. Your passion for your subject only fuels other like-minded individuals to read your work.
Some ideas may be listed below.
- Fantasy
- Thrillers
- Historical fiction
- Romance
- Christian fiction
- True crime
- Nonfiction
- Parenting
- Business
- Technology
- Cryptocurrency
- Children’s literature
Step Four: Write in a public venue
You may choose to blog or even join a public platform such as Medium. You might post your writing on social media platforms, but the main link should always originate from your blog and syndicate it with a link back to your blog.
Even if you are short on funds (I started out on a zero-dollar budget), you can launch a free Blogger blog and later grow into WordPress. Find out how to start a Blogger blog.
Read, share, and sign up for other people’s blogs. Grow your following and readership when you write for other people. Write comments that are relevant and thoughtful on other people’s blogs.
Step Five: Make plans to publish
If you cringe at the whole idea of publishing a book or even just writing a magazine article for publication, then breathe deep. Becoming a published writer does not just happen overnight.
Yet, in today’s publishing world, you can publish a book yourself, and learn the art of self-publication. Yes, it still takes work, but your book is still yours. Plus, you publish it when you want to. Or, you can find a place to publish your book for you.
Plan for it, and publish when you are ready. Do you want to know more about self-publishing? Read this for more information.
Step Six: Connect with other writers
Welcome to our modern-day online world of social media! Whatever your writing status is, or even your genre, there is a writing group or account to follow. Twitter has a ton of other writers to follow and share with. Use writing hashtags, share in conversation, and then share other people’s writing tips.
You might also follow other people on Twitter who share interests similar to yours but are not necessarily writers. Chiming in on discussions and retweeting other people’s work only helps you build your audience and your following.
Do you prefer the Facebook groups to a public online forum? Join a Facebook group that fits your genre and skill level! You can find groups from newbies to experienced. Even if they do not allow you to share, you can keep an active link to your works online through your personal wall and talk shop with other writers.
Step Seven: Publish
Truly, this step is optional. In fact, you may go from steps one to six several times, before you reach the publication step.
Yet, while publishing itself does not make you a writer, it helps you get your work on a hill. Even if all you do is self-publish and promote your work for free or on a budget, publishing helps you share your work with others.
Entering into the brave world of publishing anything says to the world, “I want you to read my work!” if you are not sure it is time to publish, find another writer or objective friend and ask them what they think about your work. While they might think you have a lot of work to do, it will propel you into taking the next step towards publishing.
No, you don’t need to publish all the time, but stepping into this step at least once helps silence the naysayers and cement your position in the writing world.
Congratulations! You overcame Imposter Syndrome!
Now, go back to the beginning, and write and repeat all of the steps you started with. Only this time, adjust your steps to fit your newfound skill!
You are a writer now and your work will show it. Don’t let the perfect writer police get you down. Stop letting them tell you that you will not make it. Living your best life means being the writer you are, especially if you are one. Being authentic only propels you to your next step in life.
Grow your audience, improve your craft, and keep on writing! Look for ways to write larger pieces for money and for the craft.
Launch a freelance writing career
Write a nonfiction book for market
Take each step at a time, and build your writing career. Even if you need to write while you work another job, do it. Because truthfully, if you are a true writer at heart, you will not be able to keep it back.
