Bonus Tip: Imposter Syndrome

Dear Storyteller,

This week’s Bonus Tip is all about breaking down the lie about Imposter Syndrome. Particularly Imposter Syndrome for the Writer.

I wanted to touch on this topic because…well…because I hear it a LOT in the writer community.

Insert an aside: this Bonus Tip has taken me much longer than anticipated to share with you because I was, mmm, let’s say, a little passionate with my initial writing of this segment of The Writer’s Nook.

I’ve since cleared away a lot of my overly forthright opinions on the subject and have honed this Bonus Tip down to only what’s necessary.

But let’s first start where we need to.

In order to understand why Imposter Syndrome for the Writer is not something to accept, succumb to, or believe in, I think it’s best we define Imposter Syndrome, as it is laid out in the dictionary.

The definition of Imposter Syndrome

Per Merriam-Webster, Imposter Syndrome is defined as “a psychological condition that is characterized by persistent doubt concerning one’s abilities or accomplishments accompanied by the fear of being exposed as a fraud despite evidence of one’s ongoing success” (accessed on January 23, 2026).

This latter portion in particular is strange in and of itself, for, unless you are indeed a fraud, why would you fear being exposed as one?

This brings to mind the verse in Proverbs that says: “the wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” (Prov. 28:1, NIV).

Again, if you are indeed legitimate in your pursuit of writing, or whatever else you may be pursing in life, then you should have no fear of punishment for what you have worked so hard to achieve. And while I understand in some circles that there is an underlying connotation of an author’s success being born purely from luck, the emotions tied to imposter syndrome and its subsequent pyschological response are, as a whole, misconstrued.

Disclaimer:

Before I further explain my perspective on the misinterpreted emotional and psychological responses to imposter syndrome, I must, as always, admonish you to take my opinion on the matter as just that: both a perspective and a stated opinion. I say this because I am quite sure that many an author will deny at every turn the approach I will divulge to you shortly.

That being said, everything I’m sharing with you is again quite my own thoughts, and I do not shy from the truth of it, as I very well believe, you should not either.

So, if Imposter Syndrome isn’t its definition, then what is it?

The short and sweet of it is: a fear of continued success.

How did I come to this conclusion?

From hearing the repetitive nature of authors declaring themselves subject to Imposter Syndrome.

It has become so much of a trend, so to speak, that the term has become more of a catch-phrase than anything else. A growing form of acceptable author self-pity that is becoming more popular by the moment. For if you are an author, then you very well must suffer from Imposter Syndrome. You do, don’t you? Oh, my dear friend, if you do not, then you surely cannot be a real author.

So everyone would have you believe, but, as aforementioned, do not believe it!

What do authors usually say when they claim Imposter Syndrome?

Oftentimes, you will hear phrases, such as, “Oh, I’m so afraid I’m not good enough.” Or, “I still feel like an imposter even after I’ve published X number of books. I’m so afraid someone’s going to find out that I’m not really good enough to be a writer.”

Perhaps you have heard this mentioned yourself or maybe, if you’re honest, you’ve even thought it yourself. If you have, no judgement here. Just make sure you stop telling yourself this, as it is overarchingly not true about you.

It should be noted that these concerns are typically voiced by authors who have an ample backlist* and are in the process of writing, or have already written and are getting ready to publish, still more novels and/or series of novels. (*A backlist, if you are not aware, is a number of books already published).

If this is the case, why then would these successful, prolific authors share with the writing community that they harbor a severe case of Imposter Syndrome?

A possible reason…

I considered this for a good while, and asked myself the question, “why would an author who is quite successful, popular, and making a decent living on their books and associated bookish venues have anything remotely similar to Imposter Syndrome?”

Upon further reflection, I believe that I hit upon the crux of the issue. These authors are actually confusing their concerns over “not being good enough as a writer” with “success.” Therefore, it is a fear of failure upon the publication of their next consecutive novel that is inhibiting their confidence in their work, rather than a true belief in their lack of talent as a writer.

Examined on a much deeper level, one would then have to conclude that these authors fear the readers’ disapproval of or disinterest in the next imaginative world they’ve created, rather than harbor a true-and legitimate-terror that the reader will discover the disappointment of their incredibly wanting prose.

the next question Is: is this fear legitimate?

Absolutely!

For the creative, there is always the “fear,” if you will, of whether the next story you weave will be well loved and ultimately “successful.” No creative escapes this, whether you’re an artist, a sculptor, or a writer.

And I am quite certain that the stress-and distress-of famous artists, such as Van Gogh, was more likely related to his concern that the public would not maintain a vital interest in his art, rather than that it was that he lacked talent as an artist.

So how should you approach Imposter SYndrome as a Writer?

I would highly recommend approaching Imposter Syndrome as a secular term that relates solely to measuring one’s talents by how much success he/she has in the world.

Perhaps I would even go so far as to redefine it for writers as a “tormented fear, purely psychological and secular in nature, that the next book in the queue will not be a success, as opposed to a more valid, rational fear of being discovered as an artist lacking talent.”

So, what should Christian writers do with Imposter Syndrome?

Shift your focus…

We are a sum of who we are meant to be based on the purposes, tasks, and skills God determined to give us before we were even born. Before the world was created. Before we were even a thought in our mother’s mind…or womb.

Mark it well. Our worth is derived from God, not the measure of our success here on earth.

Focus on God and the Scripture

I know I repeat myself over and over again, but I only do so because this that I’m about to share with you is true.

Remember, Ezra, Jeremiah, and Isaiah?

God called these men to His specific task at His appointed time. He equipped them with everything they needed to do the work He called them to.

But these men weren’t successful…

Not by the world’s standards. But they were by God’s. He called them to the place, position, and moment in time when He wanted them to reach His people. No one listened. It’s true. But God used them mightily as examples for the Jewish people then and for us now.

Look at how much these men have impacted our lives. Think of yourself in the same way. You don’t know how God will use your writing talents to change the world or reach a small-or potentially very large-group of people. He may even switch your focus from fiction to non-fiction. Or to writing for little tiny kids in a way they can understand secondary to God giving you the understanding and mindset to do this.

The biggest thing you need to do from here on out is the following:

Know your calling…

If you feel that God has called you to write a story for His glory and to share Christian values and virtues, and ultimately, the Gospel through a story He allowed you to form in your mind, then you shouldn’t ever utilize the term Imposter Syndrome. It shouldn’t even reach your vocabulary list.

He wouldn’t have laid the story on your heart if He never meant for you to tell it.

Will each Christian author’s path look the same?

In short: no.

Always remember, just as God had a different purpose for each of the prophets who witnessed in Jerusalem, God has a different road paved for each Christian author.

He appointed you to the task, but the path to its achievement will be unique only to you. Some may reach their success more quickly than others. Some may attain it slowly and surely. Some may not see it in their lifetime, as so many other authors before us. Jane Austen for example. Or the Brontë sisters.

This isn’t something to lament, just to understand that we each have our own journey ahead of us. God will see it all through, and we needn’t doubt or worry about that.

So, what’s my conclusion?

It’s a big step to take your book to the world of readers and open its contents up to potential criticism, dislike, or disinterest. So, while there’s always that fear-filled question lingering in the back of your mind asking, “will readers enjoy this?,” it doesn’t mean you lack talent.

What does it mean then?

It only means there’s a certain level of uncertainty about how successful you’ll be after publishing your work. And this is a legit concern if you want to make a living off your work. Your story may be really good; it just may not be a story that everyone is looking for right now. And that’s okay. Don’t give up. Let God show you the way.

Bottom line:

Just keep writing and creating and eventually, you’ll write the novel that everyone is looking for. (And then they’ll discover all those other fascinating books you wrote before your popular one). Or you’ll find a quiet niche of readers who love every book you create and publish because they’re…well, yours. Or you may write a bestseller that captures everyone’s interest right out of the gate. We can’t predict. All we can do is entrust our work to the Lord (Psalm 37).

And don’t forget…

Writing is something that you’ll constantly be improving upon and getting better at. So, give yourself grace. Every writer improves with practice and experience. It’s impossible not to. Like any craft, skills develop over time. No one ever starts out a Master Craftsman.

And remember that success is solely dependent on God.

No matter how hard you try, if God’s not in it, your efforts will be in vain.

What if you’re not seeing the success you desire?

Step back and ask yourself, is God trying to tell me something?

Contemplate this, and go to Him in prayer. Because it may just be that He wants you to change something, or that He just wants you to be patient and trust Him. Or it may be that He wants you to focus your attention more on Him, not the worldly pursuit of success in this life.

In summation, What would I say instead of Imposter Syndrome?

Focus on writing to the glory of God. Do all things unto Him, not man. God will bring all to fruition, as He deems fit. Trust Him, not yourself. And let your prose flow.

Don’t fear a potential lack of success. Keep your focus pinned on God and the talent God’s personally given you.

A true writer will never stop writing, no matter how little or how much success they achieve in this life.

DId that help you avoid claiming Imposter Syndrome?

I hope so!

Do you think I’m correct about Imposter Syndrome? Or do you believe that it’s something writers should embrace? Leave your comment below and let me know!

Encouragement

I hope this Bonus Tip helped you value the talent God’s already given you, trust God with your books’ success, and live to write only for Him because that’s where your truest form of success lies.

Until next time…write, dear Storyteller, and don’t worry about the faulty ways of the world that only hold you back. God bless xoxo