#45: How to Deal With Imposter Syndrome
Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips
Introduction
Learn actionable strategies to combat self-doubt and fear in writing. Embrace a positive mindset shift to enhance writing skills and productivity.
In today's episode, I'm sharing three strategies that will help you overcome imposter syndrome. Here's a preview of what's included:
[01:50] A quick story about what my two dogs, Forrest and Luna, taught me about overcoming imposter syndrome (and how you can, too).
[04:35] An example of how a client I worked with suffered from imposter syndrome for twelve years before every querying agents with her story. Spoiler alert: she's now a published author whose book is with one of the big five publishers.
[05:35] Imposter syndrome is defined as a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist in spite of evident success. Imposters suffer from chronic self-doubt and a sense of intellectual fraudulence that override any feelings of success or external proof of their competence. Almost all writers experience these feelings of inadequacy at some point in the writing, editing, and publishing process.
[06:35] Imposter syndrome shows up differently for everyone. For one person, it might look like paralysis or the inability to move forward. For another, it might look like writer's block or even throwing in the towel and quitting altogether.
[07:15] Strategy #1 is to stop overthinking so that you can reconnect with your heart and show up as your true self. That way, you'll be better able to share your unique message with readers and connect with them on a deep level.
[9:50] Strategy #2 is to take some kind of action, no matter how big or small. This will help you move out of your head and into your heart. Not only that, but it'll also help you get your story done and out into the world.
[11:00] Strategy #3 is to stop chasing shiny objects. If you keep jumping from story idea to story idea, or from one outlining method to another, you're never going to get to the finish line. Instead, keep your head down, stay in your lane, and keep moving forward.
[16:15] Key points and episode recap.
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