Imposter Syndrome. We all feel it at one point or another. The publishing business is hard, and even veterans and bestsellers doubt themselves. Some, with every book!
We tend to dwell on negative experiences because our brain is wired to protect us. From memories that make us cringe to straight-up PTSD, we’re forced to relive these moments so we can “learn” from them. But as a result, we often forget the positive things.
Chalene Johnson gave me a fix for this. Her Courageous Confidence Club has given me a ton of tools to build my self-esteem and own my uniqueness. One of the techniques that stood out for me was creating a Confidence Evidence File of all the things that remind me—in the words of iconic SNL character Stewart Smalley—that “I am good enough, I am smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!”
I’m of the belief that writers can benefit from this practice as well. I’m confident you can do just about anything you set your mind to! You just need some reminders and encouragement.
What to Collect
Your file should contain proof of obstacles you’ve overcome, goals you’ve achieved, times you’ve tried something new, and milestones you’ve hit—anything that serves as proof that you can do it!
For authors, that list may include:
- The cover or a screenshot of your first published work
- An acceptance letter (or a really encouraging rejection letter)
- A picture of an award you won
- The notes from a successful speech or keynote
- A program from an awards ceremony where you were nominated
- Reviews that tug at your heart
- Praise from editors, readers, and critique partners
- Affirmations that resonate with you
Where to Collect
As my previous posts on this blog suggest, I love binders and paper! Being able to touch and feel your collection of confidence-inducing mementos is something truly special. You could store your treasures in something as simple as a folder with pockets in one of your author brand colors or a bare-bones bullet journal. If that sounds too humdrum for your style, try scrapbooking about your accomplishments or decorating a shoebox to the nines for storage.
But as nice as it is to have physical items, it’s best to be prepared for anything. Start a special folder on your computer—or, better yet, on a flashdrive and on a service like Dropbox or Google Drive—and file away all those keepsakes. Take pictures and scan documents if what you want to hold on to doesn’t have a digital counterpart.
There’s no limit to what you can or should include—and no limit to what you can accomplish when you’re in the right headspace.
Keep this collection handy when you’re doubting yourself—after a painful rejection, a string of bad luck, or a bad case of writer’s block. I personally like to read and reread my reviews when I’m stuck or suffering a confidence setback.
What things would you add to the lists above? Drop a comment and let me know!
Kerry Evelyn is an author and instructor in the Orlando literary community. She mentors students and teaches classes for Writer’s Atelier, libraries, and professional organizations. Kerry’s upcoming workbook, How to Binge Write Your Novel, pulls together decades of experience and empowers writers to make the most of their time. Her sweet romance novels feature small towns, a touch of the supernatural, and charming characters pursuing happily-ever-afters.
You can find her on Goodreads, BookBub, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Visit KerryEvelyn.com to subscribe to her newsletter and learn more!
