I don't think I can really give an opinion on women and writing, and what they face, but "imposter syndrome"? That I can definitely relate to. I've been a "blue collar" worker all my life. I have a high school education and no higher. Every time I write something, I ask myself who's going to want to read this? Why can't I get published? I just got another rejection just today, from an agent. And yet, submitting it, I felt, "Yes, this is going to get her attention." But no. On a good note, she responded three days after me sending my query to her, so that's good, isn't it? But an "Imposter"? Yeah, I'll always feel that way about myself. I think that's why I write to entertain myself. I write with the idea that if I like it, maybe someone else will. I write with the idea that eventually, people will come to my page because the writing is good. As long as I tell myself that, and believe it, I'll keep my sanity. But then again, it's fiction. It's not opinion, or politics, or science...it's the kind of writing that I enjoy reading, and I tell myself that all that matters.
Hi! Thank you for reading, Ben. And you make a great point. I was going to write about getting an agent in a later issue but my advice to you is to keep revising and keep querying. When I first sent out Summer Darlings, I was rejected by 13 agents. I spent another year revising the book and that’s when I landed an agent.
I was thinking along the same way. I was going to work on a story first and look at it after I finished that. I wanted to give myself a little distance first.
You can do it! I read the same NYT article; really made me self reflect, too. I think everyone's got something to say; this is hard to remember. This was a great related post from The Gallery Companion recently --
Hi! Thank you for reading. So interesting to hear this. It’s almost strange that we always need to remind ourselves that our voices matter and yet it’s kind of like reminding yourself to breathe.
Love this, and sadly identify with it so much. I experienced a major case of 'imposter syndrome' recently when I turned on the paid option for my own Substack. The little voice in my head was back, questioning whether I really have a 'right' to put my work out there. We all have to push through it and surround ourselves with people who support what we are doing, such as the community here! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this : )
Hi Kate! Omg that will be round two for me. I completely understand how asking people to pay for your writing (and buying your nails while watching who does and who doesn’t) could beat you down a bit. A but like the rejection of querying an agent and being rejected. But if you put out good content, and you do, you deserve to be compensated. (When I get there, I’m def coming to you for a pep talk!) haha!!
I don't think I can really give an opinion on women and writing, and what they face, but "imposter syndrome"? That I can definitely relate to. I've been a "blue collar" worker all my life. I have a high school education and no higher. Every time I write something, I ask myself who's going to want to read this? Why can't I get published? I just got another rejection just today, from an agent. And yet, submitting it, I felt, "Yes, this is going to get her attention." But no. On a good note, she responded three days after me sending my query to her, so that's good, isn't it? But an "Imposter"? Yeah, I'll always feel that way about myself. I think that's why I write to entertain myself. I write with the idea that if I like it, maybe someone else will. I write with the idea that eventually, people will come to my page because the writing is good. As long as I tell myself that, and believe it, I'll keep my sanity. But then again, it's fiction. It's not opinion, or politics, or science...it's the kind of writing that I enjoy reading, and I tell myself that all that matters.
Hi! Thank you for reading, Ben. And you make a great point. I was going to write about getting an agent in a later issue but my advice to you is to keep revising and keep querying. When I first sent out Summer Darlings, I was rejected by 13 agents. I spent another year revising the book and that’s when I landed an agent.
I was thinking along the same way. I was going to work on a story first and look at it after I finished that. I wanted to give myself a little distance first.
You can do it! I read the same NYT article; really made me self reflect, too. I think everyone's got something to say; this is hard to remember. This was a great related post from The Gallery Companion recently --
https://www.thegallerycompanion.com/p/artists-and-imposter-syndrome
Hi! Thank you for reading. So interesting to hear this. It’s almost strange that we always need to remind ourselves that our voices matter and yet it’s kind of like reminding yourself to breathe.
Love this, and sadly identify with it so much. I experienced a major case of 'imposter syndrome' recently when I turned on the paid option for my own Substack. The little voice in my head was back, questioning whether I really have a 'right' to put my work out there. We all have to push through it and surround ourselves with people who support what we are doing, such as the community here! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this : )
Hi Kate! Omg that will be round two for me. I completely understand how asking people to pay for your writing (and buying your nails while watching who does and who doesn’t) could beat you down a bit. A but like the rejection of querying an agent and being rejected. But if you put out good content, and you do, you deserve to be compensated. (When I get there, I’m def coming to you for a pep talk!) haha!!
Love this so much! So, so true.
Yessssssss!!!