How to Laugh in the Face of Imposter Syndrome

In the early days of writing it' all unicorns and rainbows.

Then, for many, that luster fades. You realize it's work. You come to understand that to be any good at all, you have to put in 'the reps' every day.

Look, starting out as a writer can be a daunting experience, especially when imposter syndrome rears its ugly head. But before you get your shorts in a wad, here's a blueprint to help you conquer those self-doubts and step confidently into your writing journey.

Oh, and it's a totally counterintuitive path that nobody seems to talk about.

Write as If No One Will Read It

One of the most liberating things you can do as a writer is to write as if no one will ever read it. 

This frees you from the paralyzing fear of judgment - not only judgment from ourselves but also from others. When you're not worried about pleasing an audience, your creativity can flow unrestrained. This role reversal allows you to experiment, take risks, and truly explore your thoughts and ideas without the pressure of external validation.

Feel me?

Embrace Your Unique Voice Unapologetically

Your voice is what sets you apart from every other writer. 

Point blank, period, end of sentence. Embrace it fully and unapologetically. Don't try to mimic someone else's style or conform to what you think folks expect. Your unique perspective is your greatest asset. 

Let your personality shine through your words, and you'll create a genuine connection with your readers. They'll appreciate your authenticity and originality…trust me…they will.

And if they don't, then don't lose a wink because they were never your readers anyway.

Turn Your Fears into Characters

Instead of letting your fears paralyze you, turn them into characters in your stories. 

Think about that a sec. Give them names, personalities, and roles to play. By externalizing your fears in this way, you can gain a new perspective on them and even find humor in them. This technique not only helps you process your anxieties but also adds depth and intrigue to your writing.

I'd seriously give this a try and see what emerges.

Write Outside Your Genre

Challenge yourself by writing outside your usual genre. 

This may sound like typical advice, I'm sure. But most of you have never done it! 

So, if you typically write fiction, try your hand at poetry or non-fiction. If you're a novelist, experiment with short stories or screenplays. This exercise stretches your creative muscles and helps you discover new facets of your writing abilities. Plus, it can reignite your passion and provide fresh inspiration.

Worried that folks will laugh?

Refer to rule #1 at the beginning of this message.

Share Your Worst Writing with Pride

Don't hide your mistakes or rough drafts. 

Share your worst writing with pride. Seriously…share that shit. This vulnerability can be incredibly empowering. It shows that you're not afraid to take risks and that you value the process of improvement over perfection. 

Plus, sharing your early, unpolished work can inspire others to embrace their own imperfections and continue writing despite their doubts. It often gives some other new, aspiring writer permission to show up and share theirs as well.

Turn Off Spellcheck and Grammar Tools

For your first drafts, turn off spellcheck and grammar tools. 

These aids can be helpful, but they can also interrupt your creative flow and make you overly critical of your writing. Personally speaking, having Grammarly turned on totally interrupts my flow and my thoughts. 

Focus on getting your ideas down first. You can always edit and polish it later. This practice encourages you to write freely and worry less about making everything perfect from the start.

Go on, don't be scared; turn them off.

Write a Story in Reverse Order

Sounds 'bass ackwards' right?

Well, that's because it is. Break out of conventional storytelling by writing a story in reverse order. 

Start with the ending and work your way back to the beginning. This unconventional approach can lead to surprising and creative results. It forces you to think differently about plot and character development, often revealing new insights and connections that wouldn't have surfaced otherwise.

Final words…

Imposter syndrome is a formidable foe, but that son of a b*tch is not invincible. 

By writing as if no one will read it, embracing your unique voice unapologetically, turning your fears into characters, writing outside your genre, sharing your worst writing with pride, turning off spellcheck and grammar tools, and writing stories in reverse order, you can overcome it. Hell, you can smash it!

Remember, every writer, even the most successful ones, started where you are now. Keep pushing forward, and soon, the voice of doubt will be drowned out by the sound of your confidence and creativity.

Wanna great place to cut your writing chops? Here's one right here…