 Short Stories: October 14, 2015 Issue [#7267] |
  Short Stories
This week: Good Enough Edited by: Jay's debut novel is out now!  
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This Issue:
Good Enough
"Who am I kidding?" and other self-defeating stuff we ask ourselves.
How do you battle Impostor Syndrome? |
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So, continuing from last month's discussion on "Self Confidence" , I have been thinking a lot about unintended comparisons this week, while reflecting on the past as this week marks fourteen years for me here on Writing.Com, and on the future, where I am now in rapid blue-shift towards the accretion disk of the Viable Paradise workshop, which is the culmination of months of stress and hard work. And crazy doses of Impostor Syndrome.
As a writer, it's probably impossible not to compare yourself to other writers, at least sometimes. We craft our judgment of things around comparisons, and so it's natural for this to happen in our quest for betterment. But this can easily get complicated when it comes down to the unquantifiable things which make us individuals. Lived experience. Opportunity. Motivation.
But man, it is really hard not to compare yourself to other writers. I think a lot of this feeling comes from fear of missing out-- wanting to do all the things and do them well, and to be skilled enough in our own time to enjoy the work (in theory at least!)
So, I've been feeling a crazy amount of completely self-imposed pressure. There's a fearlessness that we all have to put on in order to put ourselves out there as creators, and when that fear comes back -- because all we ever really do is push it down for a while, no? -- we have to find ways to deal with it.
Me, I've been really hurling myself into the editorial process-- you don't want to know how many short stories I've read this month. In addition to work, I've been cramming myself with other stories I love and which inspire me greatly, and absorbing as much story-fueling nonfiction as I can to give some direction to the nervous energy which has been rattling through me since the end of June.
And yet, I still find myself constantly butting up against the dreaded impostor syndrome. How could I possibly be good enough?
I've been thinking about the many, many talented people I've gotten to know here on Writing.Com, and how much they've challenged me and helped me to grow as a writer for very nearly half my life at this point. I couldn't make a list, I'd miss someone and be heartbroken. Every last one of you has had a part in shaping me and making my work what it is-- and what it will become.
I've been getting to know my fellow students for this workshop, and so many of them are so much more accomplished than I am in their own unique ways. Where do I fit into that? I am so accustomed to feeling like I don't have a place at the table... but I know the last time I dived into a group this broad and diverse? It was right here. 
So how do you shake that feeling? I don't know. I wish I knew! What I do know is that the only way to get through it is to keep working, keep striving, and keep aiming higher. You won't beat the impostor by aiming lower, will you?
Until Next Time,
Take care and Write on!
~jay |
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Last Month's Newsletter: "Self Confidence"
Kate - Writing & Reading  writes:
On point advice, thank you ~ I received (timely, less than two weeks) form rejection by email yesterday; turned around and submitted another story to another market yesterday ~ working on a new story and a couple poems this weekend along with several reviews ^_^
Write On 
Keep at it, Kate! Perseverance is so important in this field.
klin cheng  writes:
sometimes, you got self-confidence, yet failed to see your blind spots, only because you didn't wait until you became mature enough. so, if self-confidence is not built on sound judgement of oneself, it's not a good thing for those who want to pursue for perfect works.
I think this is a little reductive, but then, there ARE plenty of people who could stand to erm, donate some of their excess confidence to others. 
Osirantinous  writes:
When my self-confidence hits a wall I tend to hide away a bit, as if all my muses (including my reviewing muse) need to take a moment to regather. A pick-me-up that never fails is receiving kind words - even if they're from the past. I revisit responses to my reviews; some have been amazing and really boost me back into reviewing. By the way, thank you for including my short story - that is, of course, a serious boost to my writing confidence and pushes me to continue.
Great suggestions, Os-- and of course! I'm always glad to include great works here.
Kanish ~ we got this!  writes:
Reviewing somebody's work gets me going...what also gets me going is writing in short bursts of say 15 minutes without thinking anything.I of course have a general idea, maybe even vague, but I try not to overthink and just go with the flow..Hey, that reminds me that I havent writen in days...Gibberish15 I am here..
I know what you mean! Sometimes you just have to write (or review) it out. 
Zeke writes:
Keep writing is excellent advice. I include that in all of my reviews.
Zeke
 Sometimes that's exactly what someone needs to hear.
Steev the Friction Wizurd writes:
Thank you for choosing "Benjamin" as one of the editor's picks this month.
Steve
Of course!
jerics writes:
Thank You! seriously.
You're most welcome!
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