Am I An Imposter?

As I’m nearing the end of my first draft, I’m feeling like an imposter. I think over last few weeks I have been doubting my abilities and feeling somewhat like a fraud despite my past accomplishments. One day, I sat there and questioned my reasons for writing. When I sat there looking at all of the successful writers sitting on my bookshelf, I felt defeated. It dawned on me that I had not written anything of significant length for over twenty years. I felt inadequate.

After feeling sorry for myself and getting mired in self-doubt, I took a break and read what other writers said about this feeling. After reading several authors’ account of their own inability to accept the legitimacy of their own success, I began to realize that this feeling was fairly common. I had to accept this as a common reality, and find ways to recognize and reward myself for my own achievements.

The next thing I had to do as a new author was to make sure that my goals were achievable and that I wasn’t being a perfectionist. I had to learn how to establish a new professional identity as a writer and accept that I still have a lot to learn.