Introduction

I’ve heard this term, “Imposter Syndrome,” thrown around lately among my friends who are clearly writers. While this is loosely related to the “Path to Publication” string of posts, it’s is strongly tied to actually getting published.

I’m going to make this a short argument against the term an mentality and leave it at that.

So, here’s my take on “imposter syndrome.”

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Simply put, this is the feeling writers get when they think they’re not an actual writer.

They get to the point where their lack of confidence in their ability to write or that their writing isn’t good enough inhibits their writing productivity.

I get it. Before my MFA at Lindenwood University, I suffered from Imposter Syndrome. I suffered from it so much that I didn’t write.

I don’t suffer from it anymore, and I won’t suffer from it again.

Imposter Syndrome: Quit Resisting & Stop Lying

Firstly, I’ve heard writers suffering from Imposter Syndrome say, “I’m not a real writer. I’m just pretending to write.”

That last sentence is a contradiction.

How the hell can you pretend to write? Are you smashing the keyboard? Are your fingers hovering above the keyboard? Are you telling others you’re writing a book, but you’ve never written a single word… ever?

If you’re writing, you’re a writer, and blaming it on a syndrome is just another form of resistance and self-loathing.

You’re an imposter if you’re not writing, have never written, and call yourself a writer. If you do these things then, simply put, you’re a liar.

If you’re writing, and you think you’re not a real writer, then stop lying to yourself and write.