Defeating imposter syndrome

2 decades ago, my Grandma called and shared a story I’d written long before. She had saved it and asked me to start writing. For her.

I wouldn’t perhaps have given it much thought, if the very next day The Ad had not appeared. A full-page spread advertising an online writing course.  

Christian Writers Guild, in big bold letters, inviting me to join a two-year mentorship program.

Despite having two very young children and a wavering desire to write at all, I signed up. Immediately.

And I thought, Am I a writer yet?

Fast forward 4 years, I finally completed the two-year course. So much had been learned! There were strong improvements in the writing skill, and a now strong desire to be A Writer.

Tiny successes built my confidence as my Certificate of Completion hung framed above my desk. And I thought, Am I a writer yet?

How do you fix imposter syndrome?

Life ran ahead of me at full steam, while I felt like a balloon that had escaped a child’s slick grasp. My string only barely caught on an edge that kept me from floating away.

Challenge and Joy were bedfellows in my daily life.

So I began to write about them. Tiny successes turned into the humble beginnings of confidence. I had several articles published, yet without pay, so I still was unsure. (Read Writer’s Edit here about imposter syndrome)

And I thought, Am I a writer yet?

You are a writer if you write!

Always learning, always growing, I took a leap of faith and ordered business cards. I shyly wrote Freelance Writer under my name, hoping no one would call me out on it at my first writing conference.

My mindset began to shift.

There is was, in black ink, proclaiming that I was in fact (because I said so) a real true writer. Though when people asked about it, when they said “Oh, you are a writer? Have you written a book? What magazine would I have seen you in?”

I reverted back to Aspiring Writer. It felt safe.

But I had published articles, I reminded myself, whether in major publications or not. I had been told how special the words were. I was starting to trust that I had something to say.

And I thought, Am I a writer yet?

Thoughts on imposter syndrome

I began this blog without a thought to being a writer at all. It was something new and fun to do. I’d moved over 2,500 miles away from my life and family. It was only meant to be an occasional update.

But something magical happened.

The last four years taught me there was more to a blog than being a zillionth person babbling.

I grew in skill and focus. The desire to give the best I had launched me into a new direction last year.

In January 2012 I decided to ditch Aspiring and become what I wanted to be.

And I thought, Am I a writer yet? And finally…yes.

I have always been a writer. If words come out, anyone can be a writer.

To become a good writer, like any other discipline, practice is mandatory. Blogging became my target practice. Until last year, I’d had zero desire to be a “blogger”.

I detest that term.

My words help create experiences. Moments of longing, reflection, laughter, challenge. I know this because people contact me and share their experiences.

That is writing. it is a humbling gift to be a wordsmith.

Writers are not imposters

I am a writer.  We all who pen words.

Who doesn’t want to wait 6-12 months to never hear back from publications.

I take a chance every week, giving you the best I have. And it is rewarding.

It captures and describes and brings into focus what I know. What I dream. What I wish for and who I want to become. It tells me a story, a good one.

A story of a happy girl who had a few challenges. A young woman who laughed and worried her way through her 20’s.

A maturing woman who learned who she was in her 30’s through careful consideration, mistakes, triumphs. A story of a woman in her 40’s who sincerely loves her life.

She is grateful, she is changing all the time, and she is me.

I am a writer.

UPDATE: This was written a decade ago (so hard to believe!) and I encourage you to keep going! You will grow, your style will change (mine sure has), and in the end you will have a treasured journal of you “becoming” a writer.

If you write, you ARE a writer. Define it for yourself and don’t be afraid ♥ Your words matter and no one can tell a story from your perspective except you. Keep learning and being open to new ideas…

Resources for writers

• Write His answer
• How To Blog For Profit: Without Selling Your Soul
• The Icarus Deception: How High Will You Fly?
• Bird by bird
• If you can swing a bigger investment? This is worth every cent. I have been writing and blogging since 2008. When I started hearing about the SEO Boot Camp course from Kingdom Bloggers, I wasn’t sure if it was right for me.

I am over the moon that I jumped in, because I learned more in 8 weeks than in the 10 years prior in regards to the nuts and bolts behind the scenes of writing material that can encourage and inspire others in a way that they can FIND it. SEO wasn’t a thing back in the day.

I can’t say enough about the information packed into this course and the VALUE of what it held for me, and for many people I know who fel the same renewed confidence after taking it!

It would be great for beginners who can do things “right” from the outset. (It opens again in January 2022, bookmark this and write it on your calendar!)

But also, for people like me who are long-term invested and need to update our skillset!

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