The Struggle is Real: Imposter Syndrome

The dreaded "imposter syndrome" is something I'm pretty sure anyone who writes, no matter the genre, has experienced at least once. It's that nagging feeling that no matter what you do, you're doomed to fail, that no one will ever read or enjoy your stories, that you aren't a "real" author. It's a quiet but persistent voice in the back of your mind. a lingering doubt in your abilities and your worth. I know I've personally encountered this more than once in my writing career, and it can be overwhelming.

Horror author Jed Kent posted recently on Facebook: "I hear the term imposter syndrome tossed around a lot in the indie author world. Too many incredible writers hold themselves back because they’re afraid of what readers, or other authors might think."

If you've ever felt this way, you're not alone. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), 82% of adults struggle with "the sense they haven’t earned what they’ve achieved and are a fraud." More than this, however, imposter syndrome is characterized by the fear that we will be "found out," the "truth" of our failure revealed. It's even more prevalent among BIPOC, trans, and non-binary people, who contend with both an internal fear of failure and an external one of the world not accepting them.

While imposter syndrome occurs in every profession, it's especially difficult for writers because it's fed by so many different factors: a lack of reviews, few likes on a social media post, a poor review of your work, low sales rankings. It doesn't even have to be a negative trigger. It's only too easy to compare yourself to another author who posts about their best-seller status, sales figures, or rave reviews, and feel like you've fallen short.

While some are able to use imposter syndrome and challenge themselves to improve and grow, for many the results are debilitating, leading to increased anxiety and depression, as well as a sense of isolation, that one is alone in feeling this way or experiencing their struggles. Imposter syndrome can also become a vicious cycle, with feelings of insecurity and doubt leading to inaction or decreased effort, which only further perpetuates the misperception of failure.

The APA offers the following recommendations for combatting imposter syndrome:

1. Ask yourself what you would say to a friend if they were experiencing the same thoughts and emotions. We'd offer our friends encouragement and support, right? We'd do our best to change their negative way of thinking, and view themselves and their situation in a more positive light. We should show ourselves the same grace and compassion.

   
   

2. Talk to others and share your struggles. Whether in person or through online communities, there are plenty of other authors who struggle with feelings of inadequacy, isolation, and imposter syndrome. Reach out, find a group of trusted friends and fellow writers with whom you can share your feelings and frustrations, and build a community of fellowship, positivity, and support.

Author Jed Kent said: "What used to scare me most was the idea of other authors reading my work. Over the last year, I’ve been lucky enough to collaborate with some truly talented writers. I don’t always say it out loud, but it’s been nerve-racking and humbling… and it’s also helped me grow."

Finding "your tribe," a group of like-minded people who understand your struggles because they're in the trenches with you is truly worth their weight in gold.

3. Celebrate your successes, both big and small. Imposter syndrome leaves us minimizing our accomplishments and keeps our focus on the negative. Shift your focus and toot your own horn, even if it's only in your own mind. Keep concrete reminders, like emails from readers or positive reviews, either printed out or bookmarked so you can return to them time and again: physical ammunition against self-doubt and defeatism. Personally, I keep a running list of the things I've accomplished as an author, not just over the past year, but my entire writing career. When I start to feel imposter syndrome creeping in, I go through my list and remind myself of how far I've come, how much I've learned, and how much I've grown as an artist.

   
   

   And remember: Success isn't just defined by the big things, like awards or best-seller lists. Even if you only added 100 words to your WIP today, you still made time to write. That effort counts! Smaller accomplishments have meaning, and when you add the little things up, you'll find they equal a mountain of support.

   
   

4. Let go of perfectionism. We aren't all Stephen King. Hell, most of us probably won't ever get the chance to make an actual living solely from the income off our writing. But that doesn't mean our accomplishments don't matter, or make us any less of a hard-working, creative author.

   
   

5. Cultivate self-compassion. This is the key to letting go of perfectionism. Be kind to yourself. Practice conscientious mindfulness: be aware of those times in which your mind shifts to negativity, and redirect yourself toward the positive. Like I said, I use my list of accomplishments as a writer to this effect, but reading positive feedback from friends or readers goes a long way, too. Whatever tools you need, keep them handy and use them to snap yourself out of it when you find yourself dwelling in the dark places where imposter syndrome dwells.

   
   

6. Share your failures. This goes back to the second recommendation: having a support system you can trust. It's not just about sharing what works, or our successes. By talking freely about things that didn't work out so well, goals we missed, or milestones we were unable to meet can garner feedback and suggestions essential to continued growth. We learn from each other as fellow authors, both what works, and what doesn't.

   
   

7. Practice makes perfect. Remember, imposter syndrome isn't something you overcome once and never encounter again. The writing life ebbs and flows, and with that cycle comes the inevitable return of imposter syndrome. Keep your positive reminders and your trusted friends close by so you have them ready when needed most.

This entry is part of a new monthly series I'll be putting out, called "The Struggle is Real," examining some of the many struggles and challenges authors face, and offer tips and advice on how to manage and overcome them. Next time, I'll be tackling a topic as horrifying and debilitating as imposter syndrome: the scourge of Writer's Block.

Source:

Abramson, A. (2021, June 1). How to overcome impostor phenomenon. Monitor on Psychology, 52(4). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/06/cover-impostor-phenomenon