imposter syndrome

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Point of View: Am I Doing Enough?

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man shrugging - deposit photos

I’m not doing it right. I mean, that must be what it is. I’ve been at this writing thing in a serious way for almost ten years. Along the way, I’ve had some successes – a few Rainbow Awards, some high-flying (of short-lived) rankings on Amazon, and I have a couple bookshelves full of copies of my published works. So why does it feel like I’m starting over at square one, every single day? Once a month, the Independent Book Publishers’ Association magazine arrives with new tips: I need to be launching a TikTok video channel. I should be courting … Read more

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POINT OF VIEW: Beating Up My Inner Asshole

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Almost every writer has what’s called an inner critic – a voice inside their heads that ridicules their work, tells them they’re not good enough, and generally makes their writing lives a living hell. It’s like your high school bully took up residence inside your head, where it’s really easy for him to figure out which buttons to push. I don’t buy it. The word “critic” implies that this jerk has some kind of actual, factual basis he uses for critiquing my work. Mine doesn’t – he’s just an asshole. This week, I’m diving into the second draft (or the … Read more

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POINT OF VIEW: Managing Imposter Syndrome

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Imposter Syndrome / Mask - deposit Photos

I try to stay strong. I try to project optimism into the world, because that’s what I want to come back to me. But damn, sometime’s it’s hard. Today I am struggling with my IC – my inner critic, but rather than wallow in all the messages it’s giving me, I thought it would be better to share the ways in which I deal with it when I’m feeling like the fake-est phony who ever lived. So here are my strategies for coping with imposter syndrome, in no particular order. I hope they’re helpful to you, too: Reread Some (Good) … Read more

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POINT OF VIEW: After the Con

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blue man sad - Deposit Photos

The Rainbow Space Magic virtual con ended yesterday, and I’m feeling that weird post con mix of elation and let-down. It was wonderful to see many of my fellow authors and readers, and to spend time moderating a couple topic panels, and to hang out in the reading panel with Angel Martinez and Rory Ni Coileain. The read and the discuss aspect of the RSM reading hours is one of my favorite things about the con. I really miss in person cons, though. The ability to meet somebody and grab a coffee with them at the hotel Starbucks, or to … Read more