Ever feel like you're just faking it?

[amberdreams]

This was on a writing blog today and I thought I'd share it here because - yeah - all the bleedin' time, matey. Art and writing both, for me.

3 Steps to Dealing With Imposter Writer Syndrome

The unescapable reality is that if you want to be a writer, you will feel shame.Everyone feels shame, but writer’s are particular susceptible to it. It’s just part of the job.

And the worst part is there’s no quick-fix to shame.

But here are three tips to dealing with that feeling of being an “imposter” writer:

1. Identify It

First, just recognize your feelings. When you get that feeling like you got punched in the gut or someone poured a bucket of ice water over your head, make the connection, “Oh, I’m feeling shame right now.”

2. Endure it

Next, endure it. Even though you may feel like you would do anything to not feel like this, the hard truth is that you can’t distract yourself out of shame.

And if you try to distract yourself as a way to avoid feelings of shame, you can potentially do long-term damage to your creativity (creativity and vulnerability are closely linked).

Instead, feel your feelings. Breathe them in. Breath them out. Let them exist, even as they rip you up inside.

3. Replace It

Shame is the belief that who you are is not good enough.

Obviously, that’s a lie, because you are awesome.

You can be a great writer.

You aren’t a sham, an imposter, or just faking it.

You are an artist. You are beautifully and wonderfully creative.

And, most of all, writing is supposed to be fun! Stop taking it (and yourself!) so seriously.

“

Writing is supposed to be fun! Stop taking it (and yourself!) so seriously.

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Don’t give in to the lie, replace it with truth.

You Aren’t An Imposter

We all feel like imposters. Even the great writers do:

F. Scott Fitzgerald felt like an imposter.

J.K. Rowling felt like an imposter.

Earnest Hemingway felt like an imposter.

George R.R. Martin felt like an imposter.

We all feel like we’re faking this writing thing so much of the time. You can’t avoid it.

But you can live with it. You can overcome it. You can write anyway.

Comments

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

And, most of all, writing is supposed to be fun! Stop taking it (and yourself!) so seriously.
this is the most true sentence I have ever read! Thank you for this! Mind if I hit share?!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

of course not, share away! I'm only sharing it myself in the first place :D

[milly-gal.livejournal.com]

Thanks bb! :)

[fireheart13.livejournal.com]

SO MUCH!! Argh. I do recognize it but it's hard to fight sometimes. THank you for posting this!!

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

It is hard, especially when you are reading awesome fics by other people or looking at art and feeling there's just no way you can measure up.

[dawnmay.livejournal.com]

Just had to thank you for posting this. This is me all. the. time, though I prefer the term 'hack' writer. XD

Enduring it is so so true. I've learned to embrace feeling like I'm not good enough, because it's the first step to improving. What's that quote I saw? "Sucking at something is the first step at being sorta good." :)

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

It rang so true for me, I was sure other people have similar insecurities. It doesn't stop us thinking the worst but it is comforting to know we are not alone!

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

With every new artproject I feel like this will be the time I will be found out. Now I will be exposed as a faker; who do I think I'm kidding, etcetera, etcetera.

It's good to be reminded this happens to everyone, especially when it comes to the creative process;)

What helps for me is to ask (out loud!) if I am having fun, if I am enjoying myself, with this fiddling, this experimenting, this thing I'm doing. When the answer is yes (which is most of the time, even while I'm cursing the muse or materials;) then it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks (yeah, right). But seriously: it's okay if it's a struggle for a bit, but above all the process has to offer you something, whether it's a way to get things out of your system or to simply endulge in the process.

Did this make sense? I just wanted to thank you for sharing this:) *snuggles* Onwards with writing and arting \o/

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

It makes all the sense in the world - I feel it on every fic I write and every piece of art I faff around with! What a bunch of insecure daft buggers we all are, hey? :D

[zara-zee.livejournal.com]

When I did my writing course, one of the very first things my novel teacher said in our very first class was: "Nobody will introduce a piece by saying 'it's not very good' or 'sorry' or 'this isn't my best' or 'this piece sucks' or words to that effect. I will not tolerate that. You are writers. Your craft will improve as you practice it, but you must always practice with confidence.'"

I think it's fairly telling that our first lesson was on the importance of feeling confident about our work--we creative types do tend to be a tad insecure--and I actually find that remembering those words helps me resist the temptation to think negatively about my work. As does the knowledge that my teacher (an award winning novelist herself) was constantly making notes in the margins of her published work about ways to improve it when she did readings!

I guess we're all always looking to improve, but that's okay. In the meantime, we're having fun and giving other people something to enjoy and that's pretty cool! :D

[hugemind.livejournal.com]

I actually feel like this to a larger extent professionally than with writing fic, so I'm glad for the advice!

[laughablelament]

True for me too. Thank you. Really helpful reminders. ^_^

[madebyme-x.livejournal.com]

I've definitely been here, and in such a talented fandom I frequently look at works and think 'I wish I could do that'. But if I take a minute to look at where my writing used to be, and where I am now, I can see a difference.

Thank you for sharing this :)