by Andrea Christenson, @AndreaC_Author
Once again I sit at my computer staring at a blank word document. The cursor blinks, a metronome to my inactivity.
“What can I even say that hasn’t already been said?” I ask the cursor. It just winks at me like it has a secret. “Who am I to write this stuff?” But, the cursor doesn’t answer, so I fill in the blank.
Imposter syndrome.
The thought of “I’m not good enough” or “There are so many others with more experience” or “I’ll NEVER be as talented as so-and-so” or even “what if they find out I’m making it up as I go along?” are the drumbeats imposter syndrome pounds in my head. And, I know I’m not alone.
I just did a quick Google search for the term “Imposter Syndrome” and received eight million results in a half a second. This phenomena of feeling like you’ve just sort of lucked into your current position is not even a new concept. It’s been around at least as long as I have—since 1978 when Georgia State University identified the symptoms in a group of high achieving women. (Those who can do math now know how old I am. “Am I too young to be writing how-to articles?? Or maybe too old…” my mind races. Be gone, Imposter Syndrome!!)
Writing this article has my imposter syndrome firing on all cylinders. After all, many of those reading these words will have had MUCH greater writing success than I, some will have better advice, and some won’t even suffer from Imposter Syndrome at all.
So, how do I fight it back? I admit, I’m not very good at it, so if you have suggestions for me, leave them in the comments! My two main Imposter Syndrome fighting tools are:
First, I pull a trick from the Cognitive Behavior Therapy folks and tell myself the truth. Things like: “Your publisher saw something in your writing, they believe in you.” And, “You are the only one who can tell this story in this way.” Because the truth is, we are all in this line of work for a reason and that reason should overshadow any inadequacy we feel.
And second, I fake it ’til I make it. Okay, maybe this one needs a little work, but I find that spending time around other authors who are asking some of the same questions I am and facing some of the same struggles (not just Imposter Syndrome struggles) really helps! If other people are having a hard time with their plot, maybe I’m not so far off the mark either. The confidence boost of talking with like-minded people can go a long way.
I want to leave you with two questions. 1. How do you deal with Imposter Syndrome? 2. Did I say Imposter Syndrome too many times?
He just wants to erase his past. She can’t seem to escape hers. But facing it might put their future in jeopardy.
The day Jack Stewart walked out of jail, he vowed to keep his conviction a secret. The whole thing was just a terrible mistake, and he did his time. Now he wants a new life in a sleepy town where no one knows his name. Deep Haven is the perfect place to start over as a chef. The last thing the former pararescue jumper wants is to get involved. But when Boone Buckam—the guy he owes for getting him out of the slammer—asks for help, how can he refuse?
Colleen Decker has already escaped evil once—as a teenager, she was kidnapped by a murderer. But she’s put all that behind her as a trauma nurse in Minneapolis. Or maybe not, because a freak mistake in the ER sends her past crashing down on her. She needs a timeout in her hometown of Deep Haven. She doesn’t plan to stay—even when she’s roped into the job of flight nurse for the town’s Crisis Response Team chopper. Colleen’s not sure why she’s drawn to danger, but she’ll be safe enough—after all, she’ll need training, and her teacher is a handsome former pararescue jumper. What could go wrong?
When Jack said he didn’t want to get involved, he especially meant his heart—but being with Colleen feels like a fresh start. He’ll even climb aboard a chopper again, despite his vows. They’re headed for a happy ending…
But secrets never stay buried in a small town. And when disaster strikes one snowy night, they’ll both have to decide if the past will destroy them…or if it just might lead them home.
Cozy up to this perfect Deep Haven drama about discovering a season of second chances.
Andrea Christenson lives in Minnesota with her husband and two daughters. When she is not busy homeschooling her girls, she loves to read anything she can get her hands on, bake bread, eat cheese, and watch Netflix—though not usually all at the same time. You can connect with Andrea on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on her website www.AndreaChristenson.com
Comments 2
When readers contact me and tell me how awesome my debut novel was for them, my first thought is, “Did my mom tell you to say that?” 🙃
But I remember all the days of research, hard nights of trying to think of a new way of describing an action as simple as walking, and hours of plotting and planning and I tell myself my hard work paid off. Then praise God for my gifts and talents and His hand in the entire thing!
Yes! Thank you for sharing this. <3