There might be another enemy you have in mind, reading that title, but the biggest enemy for me in my writing journey is easily imposter syndrome, and I know I’m not alone in that. I have had so many other writers reach out on my socials to tell me they struggle with the same imposter syndrome. I put off even writing this blog because, if I’m honest, this topic is hard for me to write about. Being vulnerable about what I struggle with is hard for me, but I know I’m not alone in this struggle.

I hate to admit it, but it’s given me writer’s block so many times. Especially while I am still trying to query to find the right fit for my books, imposter syndrome is a loud voice in my head. Some authors query for years before the right fit picks them up. I know that, but it doesn’t make it easier as I wait for that response. 

I tell myself that because no one has picked it up yet, I must not be good enough. Or, every time I post, I cringe because thinking about people seeing my posts, and not knowing if my book will go anywhere, is gut-wrenching. I can write a paragraph over and over, deleting and rewriting, feeling like everything I’m putting on the page isn’t good enough. Sound familiar? It would be easier not to post, not to write this, and let the thoughts that I am not cut out for this drown out any inspiration for my work, but I am done taking the easy route. 

I committed to this career, and I know my work is good. The years I’ve spent ghostwriting are proof that the words I write are worth fighting for. The people I’ve had read my work remind me all the time that this is what I am supposed to be doing. 

Most days, those reminders are enough to drown out the voice telling me I shouldn’t be writing. That community is important for me to rely on, and if you struggle with imposter syndrome too, I encourage you to find that community. Find the people who support your work, and be honest with them about the struggles you have with your work. 

My second piece of advice is to write anyway. Even the greatest writers doubted themselves at times. What I would hate even more is if I looked back in ten years and regretted never writing the story I had all along. Now is the time to put the story on the page. No one else has the story you have. 

If you don’t have that community, or you are too scared to tell your friends and family about the art you are working on, let me be that for you, or other writers, or artists online. We all know how hard it is, and I’ll be the first person to try to help another writer however I can. You are not alone in struggling with imposter syndrome. You are not alone in feeling like you might never make it as a writer. 

But I will continue, and I hope you will too. Writing is hard, not because creating the story is hard, but because drowning out the voice telling me it’s not good enough sometimes feels impossible. Whatever your passion is, I want you to know if God keeps driving you toward it, you must press on. I’ll be right here to support you, and so is the rest of the writing community.