Imposter Syndrome: Why is This Happening to Writers and What Can They Do About It?

If you feel unworthy, as though your words will never be adequate for your audience, as though you will never be like those you idolized who have published before you, you are not the only one or an exception to a rule. Every person who has an affinity for writing started when they learned to form their own ideas about the world around them and worlds they saw, heard about, or were otherwise exposed to through people and media. 

Intuitively, you’ll know that you’re a different person from the writers around you. All of those writers appear to have the answer, the right words to say, and the accolades to prove it, but you are not them. That’s not because you put in less effort. That’s not because you did anything wrong. It is possible to gain recognition for writing through dedication to consistent improvement, and that improvement is not guaranteed to be easy. If imposter syndrome is a current part of your journey or was an important part of your journey in the past, you’ll recognize some of these feelings. 

K.M. Weiland has this incredibly insightful way of putting the experience of imposter syndrome into words: “The experience of imposter syndrome indicates a lack of cohesion between inner and outer realities. Sometimes this lack of cohesion results from our fears about claiming a true identity (whether that of a noob or an expert). However, it often points to a lack of understanding about this inner conflict between old/safe identity and newly-emerging/totally-scary identity. We may not even recognize that these two competing identities are the mutual creators of our often nauseating uncertainty of how to tell which voice—the encourager or the critic—is telling us the truth.”

Some people believe that writers, specifically fiction writers, have a natural struggle with their sense of identity because they inhabit different voices at different times. While that can be true for some, I do not believe that this is universally the case. I’d like to begin with the discussion of the encourager vs the critic. 

The encourager states that you should write because that is a part of who you are. You are a writer, and you should take the time to write something. If that part of your identity feels unstable due to its novelty or your perceptions of the knowledge you hold, that will spur on the critic. The critic will always have something negative to say about what you’re writing, why you’re writing it, what words you’re using. Your critic might even tell you to stop, that writing isn’t for you. 

On the other hand, the encourager and the critic do not have to be two competing extremes. While I did not originate this idea, I will be giving my own input. As an editor, I’m familiar with the critic. I often critique myself. I’m often asked to be a critic. I know that there is a difference between a helpful criticism and a harmful criticism. 

Consider a situation where the critic and the encourager are the same figure. Telling yourself that what you’ve written is beyond reproach won’t help you develop your skills, and neither will telling yourself you shouldn’t or are not worthy to tell your story. Your identity as a writer can feel challenged at different points in your process. Seasoned writers who have multiple books under their belt often feel that way. In these situations, it’s important to understand that you are not the first writer.

The first writer had neither good ideas nor bad ideas. They established a framework that many writers learn from and have followed over time. We’ve also come to understand that many of the first writer’s methods were unhelpful to emerging writers. So, other options were created. Other writers choose not to follow the framework of “the first writer” from the outset. There’s nothing wrong with that either. 

You are the practicing writer. What you’ve written is what felt best at the time according to your knowledge and circumstances. If what you’ve written is authentic to your style, matches the task at hand, is accessible to the audience who needs what you have to say, and meets the goals you have set for it, you have written well. You are also continuously practicing, developing your skills as both a writer and communicator. In the meantime, you are reading, and you are editing yourself. The feedback that you are providing yourself is as honest an assessment as you can give of your strengths and where you feel you can improve. 

Instead of seeing yourself as an imposter or a fraud among writers, undeserving of the success you’ve found, consider seeing yourself as a practicing writer who is learning from those who are writing with you and those who have written before you.