First-Time Authors vs. Imposter Syndrome: How to Win the Battle in Your Mind!

I'm writing this piece on behalf of my clients who are fighting with the doubter of all time - Imposter Syndrome (IS). In one of my sessions with a client, she mentioned that she was doing all she could to overcome Ms IS at all costs to complete writing her book.

In this article, I share my experiences and encounters with Ms IS and how I countered her.

Imposter syndrome is a common psychological pattern within high-achiever individuals who doubt their skills, talents, or accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud."

Maya Angelou, the renowned author and poet, openly acknowledged that she experienced feelings of impostor syndrome throughout her prolific career. She candidly expressed:

"I have written eleven books, but each time I think, 'Uh oh, they're going to find out now. I've run a game on everybody, and they're going to find me out.”

The above statement reinforces that IS is a common experience that affects many people in different fields and levels of achievement.

This mindset game is particularly prevalent among you as a first-time author who grapples with self-doubt and fear of criticism. Understanding and addressing imposter syndrome is crucial for overcoming these barriers and unlocking your creative potential.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome involves persistent feelings of inadequacy despite evident success. People with it often attribute their accomplishments to luck rather than ability and fear that others will eventually unmask them as impostors.

For you as a writer, this can show up in several ways:

• Questioning the quality of your writing or the validity of your ideas.

Writing Taken for Granted, my debut novel, squashed this one. I had many doubts about who would read the book and if they would find it impactful. Lo and behold! One of the first feedback from a reader brought tears to my eyes. It validated that I just need to let go of the doubts most of the time and give my best work with ihsan- excellence.

• Setting impossibly high standards for your work and feeling disappointed when you fall short.

I used to worry about a piece of writing I was working on, and I stressed about it so much that I gave up. The stress stopped when I realised that I could not be perfect. Perfection belongs to God only. Striving for perfection will only disappoint me, which will stall my creativity.

Some years ago, I did some quick research on the books of the writers and thought leaders I follow. I discovered some insignificant errors in their books, but that did not stop them from having more impact. Knowing these people weren’t perfect emboldened me to do my best and share my work.

• Constantly comparing your work to that of more experienced or successful writers.

A comparison caught me in the web one day on the street of Instagram years ago. I was cruising the street and stumbled upon a post similar to what I do, and my mind went haywire!

"I can do what this person is doing and possibly better."

"I've got the talent and experience to create something similar, but I don't know why I've not."

It continued until I stopped in track before digging into the rabbit hole. After the act, I chatted with my coach about it, and he talked about his own experience, which inspired me to move on. I muted the account so I did not develop the worst traits—envy and jealousy.

• Avoiding sharing your work due to the fear of negative feedback or rejection.

Each time my editor gave me feedback on my book revisions, my first reaction was to panic about what the revisions might look like. I would let the email rest in my inbox for a day, an hour, or less, sometimes, before opening it and facing the realities of the work I needed to do to make my book sparkle.

"When someone critiques your work, it's not you who is under scrutinisation but your WORK."

Do not take constructive feedback about your work personally. It is not personal.

Since I know the above fact, I'm happy to share my work to create something better and more excellent.

Reasons For the Imposter Syndrome in First-Time Authors

As a first-time author, you're particularly susceptible to Ms. IS because your venture into the book-writing world is new.

Here are a few reasons why:

• Lack of Experience.

Without a portfolio of completed works, you might doubt your capabilities and feel unprepared.

• Unfamiliarity with the Writing Process.

Navigating the writing, editing, and publishing processes can be daunting and increase feelings of inadequacy.

• External Validation.

As a new author, you often rely heavily on feedback from others to validate your work, which can lead to overemphasising criticism.

• Cultural Expectations.

Society and culture's pressures on success can magnify feelings of being an imposter, especially as a creative.

Ways to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

Overcoming imposter syndrome can be challenging; however, there are strategies for combating these feelings and building confidence in your writing abilities.

Let's dive in!

• Acknowledge Your Feelings

Start by recognising and acknowledging your feelings of self-doubt. Know that these feelings are common and do not always reflect reality.

• Shift Your Perspective

Instead of focusing on what you lack, concentrate on what you bring to the table. Embrace your unique voice and experiences as strengths that can enrich your book writing.

• Set Realistic Goals

Avoid setting unrealistic expectations. Break your writing projects into manageable tasks and celebrate small achievements. Read Goal Setting for Writers by Holly Lyne to help you with this part.

• Seek Support

If this is your first time writing a book, the best action is to seek support, encouragement, and constructive feedback from a Book Coach or a professional Editor. Writing groups or workshops can also be invaluable for sharing experiences and gaining perspective.

• Embrace Growth

Adopt a growth mindset by viewing writing as a journey of continuous improvement. Accept that mistakes and rejections are part of the learning process.

• Limit Comparisons

Resist the urge to compare yourself to others. Remember that every writer has a unique path, and everyone's growth happens at different rates.

• Practice Self-Compassion

Be kind to yourself. Recognise that writing is a craft that requires practice and patience. Allow yourself the grace to learn and evolve.

In conclusion, understand that everyone experiences this as a human. By applying the above strategies, you can build confidence and resilience as a first-time author and pursue your passion for writing your book without the burden of self-doubt.

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