Challenges Faced by Writers Understanding the Obstacles in the Craft of Writing

by Elaine Marie Carnegie-Padgett

Hello Again! For our first installment of the Challenges Writers Face we are going to talk about...

Imposter Syndrome

Writing is a respected and challenging craft, often romanticized but that is part of being a creator of any kind. Writing is filled with obstacles when you sit down to write or submit a manuscript, or even receive an acceptance or a rejection. Each echelon you reach proves to have different hurdles. For the next few weeks, I am going to delve into the various problems I encountered as a beginning writer and even still at times today. I hope everyone can see some of themselves in these articles, and that they help!

I think my number one greatest obstacle was calling myself a “Writer”. My mind kept telling me that I didn’t deserve to call myself a writer. What had I ever done that I deserved that moniker? People will laugh at me for calling myself a writer… and a million other doubts. This was about ten years ago when I first decided to start writing on my own and now and again I still doubt my truth. Although I had published and sold many articles, written for a Newspaper and Visitor’s Guide, and had stories published by Discovery ID, Reader’s Digest, and Viva Texas Magazines. I was copy editor for the Newspaper and the Visitor’s Guide for a combined total of 12 years. It seemed to me that these were more of a reporter kind of gig, and I did not have any original stories published. That was my big hang-up…

“What am I ever going to write that people will want to read?”

You might recognize these thoughts because almost every writer has them. Imposter Syndrome is a psychological pattern where we doubt our accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud." For writers, this can be particularly debilitating, as the act of writing is deeply personal and often requires a level of vulnerability that evokes significant self-doubt.

The Nature of Imposter Syndrome in Writing

Writing, by its very nature, is a solitary and introspective activity. We often spend hours, days, or even years developing our craft, and the journey is fraught with periods of uncertainty. The pressure we mostly place on ourselves to produce original, compelling content can amplify feelings of inadequacy. Writers with Imposter Syndrome might believe that their success is due to luck rather than skill, and they constantly fear that their lack of talent will be exposed.

I was almost paralyzed by it when I began writing original "stories" but I sat down like I knew what I was doing, very strict with myself, and wrote every day for three years (or almost every day) and finished a 110,000-word fantasy novel that is still not published, although not for lack of editing and querying. (I am currently redrafting that novel.) It was a story I had been building in my mind for years.

Then, over the next three years, I took some writing courses, practiced my new skills and knowledge on briefs, case reviews and investigative summaries, worked full time, and wrote poetry, flash fiction, and forty-five short stories, all published today, and some more than once. I even got paid for some of them, and some of them were requested. That helped my confidence tremendously. The imposter syndrome did not go away, but it was more manageable.

I felt a little better then, but still, the doubts would haunt me. Over the next two years, I wrote an 80,000-word detective/mystery/romance novel, also still not published, however, I did get manuscript requests from two publishers I queried. That was an exciting step for me.

In the next two years, I began Stone Pony Publishing and Author Services. I am earning a little money and helping other writers as I go, and I am so happy when I am able to boost someone’s confidence enough that they go on to make their dreams come true! It is the best part of it for me.

Today, I can call myself a writer without paralyzing doubts. I don’t feel stupid calling myself an author anymore because I have more confidence now, however, it was hard-earned. I think my determination to keep writing is the only thing that got me through it.

As I was researching for this article I found quotes by several famous writers outlining their battle with Imposter Syndrome. Charles Bukowski, famous American Poet said,“Bad writers tend to have self-confidence, while the good ones tend to have self-doubt.”

In "On Writing" by Stephen King which I have read many times he says, “Do you need someone to make you a paper badge with the word ‘WRITER' on it before you can believe you are one?”

In an article by Phil Rosen on Medium he talks about John Steinbeck and his suffering from the “Imposter Syndrome.” His journal entries showed that throughout his career he constantly doubted himself. A quote from Rosen’s article taken from Steinbeck’s diary says:

“My many weaknesses are beginning to show their heads…I’m not a writer. I’ve been fooling myself and other people. I wish I were…I’ll try to go on with work now. Just a stint every day does it.”

John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck 1939 McFadden Publishers

He was a brilliant writer. I have read many of his books which sold a bzillion copies and some are still required reading in schools. He won a Nobel Peace Prize for Literature in 1962.

So those of us who have suffered through the doubt of being a real writer seem to be in good company! In the meantime just get back to that blank page and do what you do!

See you next week!

Check out my website at: https://www.authorelainemarie.com/

Author Services Page (Click the Logo)

Bio:  I am a Texas girl, born and bred, and I write... that's what I do! I worked for many years as a paralegal and private investigator, preparing and editing legal documents. Enhancing my knowledge in these occupations, I took classes from and worked with local law enforcement, the FBI, and Texas Rangers, and those experiences are reflected in many of my stories.

I ventured into journalism and wrote for a Newspaper as an editor and reporter, then with a partner produced a Regional Visitors Guide. My historical articles were well received and published in Luxury and Lifestyle Magazines, visitor guides, online history venues, and by descendants in many forms. (Picked up with permission from the Newspaper)

My articles have been used in regional Texas School Systems to teach middle-grade children about the dangers of the Internet. In the Texas Legislature to check the intrusive powers of POAs in the State of Texas, and on television for Discovery ID in a drama about Human Trafficking and its consequences on human life.

I have published many short stories and many poems in anthologies by small presses. Available on Amazon and my website. (Books Tab) I am currently querying the "Southern Crime Novel" MS. SARAH and I live in the lush East Texas Piney Woods amid my "babies" (grown children and grandchildren), and it's a good life!