Writing a story, a poem, or a novel can be daunting. In fact, if you hold yourself to an
unreasonable standard such as comparing yourself with your favorite author, then being a writer
can sometimes be soul crushing. Chrissie Anderson Peters joined us at our monthly meeting in
Abingdon this week and discussed the topic of Battling Imposter Syndrome. What is the
Impostor Syndrome? Chrissie explained it as the feeling of not measuring up to being called a
writer or an author. It is when we feel like we aren’t good enough or creative enough and not
worthy of finishing our work or selling it to the public. We’ve all experienced this. We feel like a
fraud, like a phony, and afraid that the world will find out.
When we feel like this, it can lead to depression, but it can also be a major cause of writer’s
block and procrastination. Chrissie explained the five types of people that experience the
Imposter Syndrome. Those are:
The Perfectionist: The writer that keeps going back and revising and editing over
and over, and never finishing their book.
The Super Human: The writer that thinks that they are not qualified because they
aren’t good enough.
The Natural Genius: The person who doesn’t feel like they are smart enough and
gives up because they aren’t a genius in the subject material of style of writing
they are working in.
The Soloist: The writer that insists on doing everything themselves because they
think that if they ask for help, then they aren’t good enough to be writing in the
first place.
The Expert: This kind of writer compares themselves to their writing heroes. For
example, if I don’t write like F. Scott Fitzgerald, then I’m not a real author.
It is difficult to get over the hurdles that we set for ourselves, but Chrissie came with advice to
help writers move forward with their work. Of the fifteen points of advice, the main focus was to
believe that you are a writer! Tell yourself over and over that you are a writer and that you have
the talent you need to write. She also stressed the importance of recognizing your achievements.
Even if you haven’t been published, recognizing that you have a story to tell and that you’ve
written something is much more that most wannabe writers will ever do.
To keep on track, she talked about the importance of setting measurable goals, having a never
give up attitude, and not letting people talk you out of following your passion for writing. It is
also important to designate a writing space for yourself, even if it is just the spot at the end of the
couch. Also, comparing yourself with others is completely unnecessary. It only serves to
frustrate you and damage your confidence. Also, if you are a new writer you should not expect
too much too soon. Give yourself a lengthy grace period. Great writing takes a lot of practice and
patience. During the process of your writing, make sure to give yourself daily affirmations.
*Chrissie Peters is the author of Dog Days and Dragonflies, Running From Crazy, and Blue
Ridge Christmas.
unreasonable standard such as comparing yourself with your favorite author, then being a writer
can sometimes be soul crushing. Chrissie Anderson Peters joined us at our monthly meeting in
Abingdon this week and discussed the topic of Battling Imposter Syndrome. What is the
Impostor Syndrome? Chrissie explained it as the feeling of not measuring up to being called a
writer or an author. It is when we feel like we aren’t good enough or creative enough and not
worthy of finishing our work or selling it to the public. We’ve all experienced this. We feel like a
fraud, like a phony, and afraid that the world will find out.
When we feel like this, it can lead to depression, but it can also be a major cause of writer’s
block and procrastination. Chrissie explained the five types of people that experience the
Imposter Syndrome. Those are:
The Perfectionist: The writer that keeps going back and revising and editing over
and over, and never finishing their book.
The Super Human: The writer that thinks that they are not qualified because they
aren’t good enough.
The Natural Genius: The person who doesn’t feel like they are smart enough and
gives up because they aren’t a genius in the subject material of style of writing
they are working in.
The Soloist: The writer that insists on doing everything themselves because they
think that if they ask for help, then they aren’t good enough to be writing in the
first place.
The Expert: This kind of writer compares themselves to their writing heroes. For
example, if I don’t write like F. Scott Fitzgerald, then I’m not a real author.
It is difficult to get over the hurdles that we set for ourselves, but Chrissie came with advice to
help writers move forward with their work. Of the fifteen points of advice, the main focus was to
believe that you are a writer! Tell yourself over and over that you are a writer and that you have
the talent you need to write. She also stressed the importance of recognizing your achievements.
Even if you haven’t been published, recognizing that you have a story to tell and that you’ve
written something is much more that most wannabe writers will ever do.
To keep on track, she talked about the importance of setting measurable goals, having a never
give up attitude, and not letting people talk you out of following your passion for writing. It is
also important to designate a writing space for yourself, even if it is just the spot at the end of the
couch. Also, comparing yourself with others is completely unnecessary. It only serves to
frustrate you and damage your confidence. Also, if you are a new writer you should not expect
too much too soon. Give yourself a lengthy grace period. Great writing takes a lot of practice and
patience. During the process of your writing, make sure to give yourself daily affirmations.
*Chrissie Peters is the author of Dog Days and Dragonflies, Running From Crazy, and Blue
Ridge Christmas.
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