thinking and writing about writing
on why it all counts
I’ve been a writer my whole life, but for a lot of that time, I’ve felt imposter syndrome in calling myself that. I’ve been on and off with journaling forever, and finally found my groove this year with morning pages (I’ve only missed maybe two days!). I’ve written full-length manuscripts. I served as editor-in-chief of both my college newspaper and magazine. I won an essay contest all the way back in fifth grade (and that was when I first felt like I might be good at something—a powerful feeling). I got my MFA.
But for a long time, I thought I needed to be a published author to be a writer.
Of course, being a published author is the ultimate goal, but a lot goes into getting there. I graduated with my MFA right as the pandemic began, sucking all the creativity out of me and actually altering my reading (and writing) habits forever. I had a full manuscript in hand, but lost motivation in the revision process. Since then, I’ve started many things and set them aside ( my writing group can attest to this). I’m actively working on making writing a habit again. This Substack was a big start this year. I just wanted to get the brain working. Make writing habitual.
But one thing that has never changed, even as the writing habit has ebbed and flowed, is that I’m always thinking about writing. And talking about writing. Tabitha Stone and I are talking about structure and the writing process on a daily basis in our voice notes. My friend Erin and I have been plotting out a romance novel to co-write. My writing group, consisting of the friends I made during my MFA residency, have planned a DIY writing retreat for this summer as a nod to our residencies all those years ago. My husband NoteToStudio and I trade writing often. Writing is ingrained in every bit of my life. Even in my career as a book publicity manager at New Harbinger Publications, I’m writing pitches on a daily basis.
It all counts. So finally I feel like I can call myself a writer without any second thought because that’s what I’ve always been—a writer.
What I’m Reading: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
What I’m Hearing: Punisher by Phoebe Bridgers
What I’m Watching: Love Island USA on Peacock
What I’m Smelling: Lys 41 by Le Labo
YES! The talking about writing is half the thing itself!!! So glad you’re fighting your imposter syndrome demons