Five steps to banish impostor syndrome forever

Do you struggle to silence the voice in your head that asks: ‘Who are you to call yourself a writer?’ or ‘Who d’you think you are, spending precious time on a project that’s bound to go nowhere?’ You’re far from alone. All authors – published and unpublished – struggle to shut this voice up from time to time. Rosie Fiore is an editor, mentor, the author of eight novels and a tutor on both our Novel Writing Course and Ultimate Novel Writing Programme. Here, she shares her top tips for banishing impostor syndrome for good… 

How do you answer that dreaded question, “What do you do?”

“I’m an author.”

“I’m a writer.”

“I’m an aspiring writer.”

“I’m trying to write.”

“I write a bit in my spare time.”

It can be difficult to name ourselves as writers: to take pride in our work and our achievements and to keep our courage up. Writing is lonely and tough, and sometimes it’s hard to persuade yourself to keep going.

As a writer, I bear the scars of failure and indifference, and I’ve done my share of staring into the long dark night of the soul. I’ve also mentored hundreds of writers who face the fear every day. So, here are five things I tell them (and try to tell myself).

1. There is no magic threshold

What’s that insistent little voice in your head saying? Mine says things like: “Call yourself a writer? You haven’t published anything / finished anything / written anything good.”

When I started running, the same voice told me I couldn’t call myself a runner because I hadn’t run a marathon / half marathon / 10k, and I wasn’t very fast. I am here to tell you that this is nonsense, in both cases.

Of course I’m a runner, even though I am only running a slow few miles. And if you’re writing, you’re a writer.

You’re doing the work. It isn’t an exclusive club. You’re not aspiring, unpublished or trying. You’re a writer. Own it.

2. Get yourself some cheerleaders

Sometimes, your courage will fail you. You will look at the words on the page (or the lack thereof) and think that you can’t do this.

You will need someone else to tell you that you can. Maybe that will be your significant other / mum / child/ best friend. But if not, you need writing buddies – so find your people.

Join a writing group, in person or online. Do a course. Look on the Jericho Writers Townhouse. Other writers will cheer you on, and by supporting them in return you will learn and gain so much.

3. Back yourself

Oh, this one is difficult. I did a playwriting course once and the teacher, John Donnelly (a fantastic playwright), said these two words. “Back yourself.”

My mind instantly rebelled and that insistent little voice spoke up. “You’re rubbish,” it said. “Lazy, undisciplined, not very good. Why would anyone back you, least of all yourself?”

“How do you talk to yourself?” John asked, as if he could hear my inner voice. “Would you talk to anyone else like that? Don’t speak like that to the person you need most in the world.”

I have a tiny post-it by my desk now that says, “Back yourself.” And when the ugly voice surfaces, I try to remember to look at it.

4. Celebrate the small wins

Celebrate the big wins. Hell, celebrate ALL the wins.

You finished a draft? Take a walk in the park. You revised that tricky scene? Cup of tea and a biscuit. Someone asked for a full manuscript? Well, that’s worth a dinner with friends!

I have a special dance I perform every 10,000 words (my family loves it and doesn’t roll their eyes, honest!).

Don’t wait for some mythical future date when you achieve all your goals. Try to make every step of the process joyful.

5. Bum in chair, fingers on keyboard

If doubt creeps in, keep going. If you think it’s rubbish, keep going. If you want to scrap it all and give up, keep going.

Nothing silences that insistent, ugly inner voice like the clatter of typing.

And remember:

“People saying: “It can’t be done,” are always being interrupted by somebody doing it.” – Puck magazine, 1903.