Imposter Syndrome 101
Imposter syndrome is a real sneaky . . . block—especially for romance writers. That nagging self-doubt creeps in, whispering your words aren't publishable. You don’t have the wherewithal to write a chapter—let alone a whole book. It wears you down, leaving you drained before you even sit in front of your laptop or pick up your outline. It’s a heavy weight that can severely limit your progress, making those word count goals feel like mountains you’ll never climb.
What it's really like to struggle with imposter syndrome
Recognize that it’s entirely normal for imposter syndrome to creep in. Like, a lot. For some of you, the red flags of self-doubt might feel oddly familiar—like a weird comfort zone you can’t shake off. But here’s the deal: this is one red flag you’ve got to burn to the ground the moment it starts waving.
That negative loop in your head? Telling you you’re not good enough or that you'll be shredded apart with criticism? It’s just an illusion. That voice? It doesn’t reflect your actual abilities and certainly doesn’t capture the value you bring to the table. The truth is, you do have the skills, the knowledge, and the drive to succeed. It’s just that imposter syndrome loves to sneak in when you're pushing your boundaries and stepping outside your comfort zone.
So, the next time that voice starts creeping in, challenge it. Remind yourself of all the work you’ve put in, the progress you’ve made, and the reasons you’re capable of achieving your goals. Don’t let those self-doubts hold you back. They’re not a reflection of who you are—they’re just a signal that you’re pushing yourself to grow, and that’s a good thing.
Challenge Your Assumptions
Squash those negative thoughts by dropping some truth bombs. Ask yourself: Do you really “have no idea what you’re doing” if you’ve already plotted an outline? Or if you know that self-publishing is an option through Amazon? Or if you’ve consciously chosen to use a specific trope? Reality check: you know more than you think. You’ve already made decisions, you’ve gathered the tools, and you’ve started to lay the groundwork for success.
Now, let’s address that fear of never publishing. It’s easy to get discouraged when you compare your work-in-progress (WIP) to someone else’s polished, published book, especially when they’re launching book three in their series. But remember: you’re not at the publishing stage yet, and that’s okay. You’re on your own unique timeline, and it’s important not to judge your progress by someone else climbing their mountain. They might be ahead of you, but that doesn’t diminish the value of what you’re building.
Think of it like this: Every creator’s path is different, and the fact that you’re actively working on your project means you’re already doing more than many. Keep moving forward, trust your process, and remember—you’ve got the skills, the knowledge, and the ability to make your work a reality—and then pay it forward to another up-and-coming author.
Take The W
Pop the bubbly, or even queue up some Michael Bublé—whatever brings you joy—and take a moment to celebrate your wins, no matter how small. Every victory counts; they’re all stepping stones on the journey to your bigger goals.
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to pause and acknowledge progress. But whether it’s completing a task—that (rough) outline, getting positive feedback from a beta reader, or hitting your first 1,000 words, take time to recognize those achievements. One simple way to do this is by keeping a little notebook, a Google Doc, or even a set of sticky notes where you jot down positive feedback, kind words, or moments of success. The goal isn’t just to document the wins but to create a go-to source of motivation when you need a boost.
Looking back at all the little triumphs will remind you of how far you’ve come and inspire you to keep going, even when things get tough. Like when I quit my job to launch Shelf & Stack . . . and wrote this first blog before having a client! It's the small, consistent wins that add up over time. So, take a deep breath, savor your progress, and don't forget to celebrate yourself. You deserve it!
Get Real With Goals
Writing a novel can feel overwhelming when you consider the big picture. The dream of holding your finished book in your hands (or on your Kindle) is exciting but also intimidating. Focusing only on the end goal makes it easy to feel stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure of where to begin or how to push ahead.
But here’s the truth about progress: it's the culmination of little steps, one at a time, and it's not linear.
Instead of worrying about the entire book at once, break your writing journey into smaller, manageable milestones. Start with your first character profile—fleshing out their motivations, flaws, and swoon-worthy moments. Then, tackle your first thousand words. Before you know it, you’ve written five chapters. Then comes your first self-edit, refining what you’ve created. Each step builds on the last, bringing you closer to a finished manuscript.
Own Your Voice
Writing is just as much a mental game as it is a creative one. It’s easy to get caught up in self-doubt, comparing yourself to other authors or feeling like you’ll never be at their level. But here’s the funny part—your stories look much like their first drafts. Your growth as a writer starts with the mindset you cultivate.
One of the most powerful ways to combat imposter syndrome is by actively recognizing your progress. Every accomplishment—no matter how small—deserves to be acknowledged. Hit your daily word count? Heck yes! Spent fifteen minutes fleshing out a character’s quirks and backstory? That’s time well spent. Even just sitting down to write when you really didn’t feel like it? That’s worth celebrating. The small wins add up, and every step forward brings you closer to your finished manuscript.
Overcoming imposter syndrome isn’t an overnight fix—it’s a journey. And like any journey, it requires patience, self-compassion, and the willingness to keep going, even when doubt tries to creep in. Some days, you’ll feel unstoppable; other days, you’ll question everything. That’s normal. The key is to be kind to yourself, trust the process, and keep writing the stories you want to tell.
And remember—your future readers? They’re already out there, waiting (probably full of angst) for your book to exist. Don’t leave them hanging.
