Friend and fellow writer mama Wendy Burt passed this quote on to me today, and I felt compelled to share it here.
I have written eleven books, but each time I think, “Uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.”
~ Maya Angelou
I’ve heard this called “Imposter Syndrome” by Valerie Young. When she became aware of the feelings of not being good enough no matter how much she accomplished, she decided to become an expert on the topic and help others.
And so she has. She is also editor and publisher of the newsletter Changing Course, which I’ve been reading for years. Valerie is a great example of a person who has identified, clarified and grown her expertise into a solid platform. She has been a great role model for me.
Does anyone else relate to the Angelou quote or the idea of Imposter Syndrome?
Today, as promised in the first issue of The Writer Mama, we are going to choose words that describe us. Perhaps, like Valerie Young, those words will lead us in the direction of an authentic, organic, and sustainable platform.
Here are my words:
Intense
Positive
Creative
Motivating
Spiritual
Independent
Sensitive
Synthesizing
Encouraging
Shy
Discriminating
Expansive
Wholeness-oriented
Critical
Verbal/Blunt
Down-to-Earth
Inspirational
Notice that some of my words seems to contradict each other. Well, that’s just human nature. People are complex and contradictory. Let’s each celebrate that about ourselves and each other.
I found this exercise to be eye-opening. Feel free to post your words in the comments and see what you notice about yourself over the course of the week, as a result.
Thanks for sharing! I’ll have more at the end of the week.
Thank you for your book, it’s very well-organized, informative and motivating! I’ve had lots of stops and starts in my writing career and since having 3 children become the “writer who doesn’t write”. I feel like a poser all the time. It’s reassuring somehow that even published writers experience self doubt. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, I totally relate to Maya Angelou’s qoute! I am always wondering when people are going to “find me out,” or realize I have had the wool pulled over their eyes this whole time. I keep writing though - good or bad.
I will be giving some thought to the words that describe me - perhaps I might convince myself I’m not a fake after all!
Thanks for a great post!
Lisa
I love Valerie Young! I used her work when I was a career counselor at a university — boy did it hit home! I still remember when my much-admired drama teacher in high school (who I thought was the MOST talented person I’d ever known) admitted to feeling like an imposter. It made a big impact on me to hear him, of all people, say that. It still helps me to this day to know how common that feeling is, if the amazing Mr. Gould felt it!