The New Writer: Are You Experiencing The Imposter Syndrome?

Award-winning writer Kathy Widenhouse has helped hundreds of nonprofits and writers produce successful content and has gained 600K+ views for her writing tutorials. She is the author of 9 books. See more of Kathy’s content here.

An online devotional for writers

A Word From The Word

Those who work deserve their pay. (Luke 10:7, NLT)

A Word For Writers

The Imposter Syndrome is typical in the new writer, but it’s a thinking pattern that impacts writers of all kinds.

You may recognize it in yourself. Why would people read your words? You’re a phony. A fraud. A counterfeit or fake.

If you’re a new writer without a stable of clips, you may expect rejection. You may hesitate to sell your services, thinking you need a stamp of approval in order to be paid for your skills. 

Yet in one of life’s ironies, The Imposter Syndrome paralyzes plenty of experienced writers. “I have written eleven books, but each time I think, 'Uh oh, they’re going to find out now,” said acclaimed author and poet Maya Angelou (1928-2014). “I’ve run a game on everybody and they’re going to find me out.'" Maya expected rejection.

No matter what their level of expertise, Imposter Syndrome victims expect rejection.

The seventy-two disciples sent out by Jesus were ripe for The Imposter Syndrome. To our knowledge, these men had no medical degree or pastoral training. Even so, their job was to heal the sick and tell them that the Kingdom of God was near (Luke 10:11). 

Jesus told them to expect rejection AND acceptance. They were to embrace hospitality that was offered because “those who work deserve their pay” (Luke 10:7, NLT).

That’s good advice for facing down the Imposter Syndrome, whether you’re a new writer or one with years of experience. God has commissioned you to write. 

Expect rejection. But expect acceptance, too. 

A Wise Word

Expect both acceptance and rejection.

A Word To Pray

Gracious Father,

You teach me to expect both rejection and acceptance. I cannot know which doors will open. Let me embrace the opportunities You give me and produce quality work for each one.

In Jesus’s name, Amen. 

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