A Writer Overcoming Imposter Syndrome — I’m Not Finished Yet.

Ten years of writing professionally. Longer, if you count ghost-writing articles for literal pennies when I was in high school. Over 3000 published articles and 1000 research reports. Hundreds of social media posts, ad copy scripts, and marketing strategies. And yet, I still have days when I feel like I am simply a novice, waiting to find my voice.

Imposter Syndrome: Does It Ever Leave?

I have always known I have imposter syndrome. It is something I have struggled with from a young age. I grew up as the youngest of seven children, so individuality was hard to come by. There was always someone who had already mastered the things I was interested in. I felt as though I was living in the shadow of my sisters. The carefree realtor. The artist. The valedictorian. The best-selling author. The list goes on.

While they were all taking their time in high school to find themselves, I was struggling to cope with a diagnosis that would impact me for life. At the age of 15, I was diagnosed with severe endometriosis (you can read more about it in The Endo Diet blog). For those who don’t know, it is a chronic condition that causes intense pain, among other symptoms. Back then, I had a hard enough time making it through a school day, much less finding a job. That’s when I started writing for work.

I started out working for writing platforms that gave you a list of articles with nothing more than a keyword and a word count. I think I got paid something like $0.01 per word. Plus, it was tough to get articles. For the next few years, I did work like that on the side while I tried to attend college and work a “normal” job. Time after time, I failed. Professionally, I had great success, but my body doesn't hold up with a nine-to-five lifestyle.

I always wanted to be an artist. It didn’t matter what; I just wanted to create things. Plays, designs, prosthetic makeup, stories, photos. Again, the list goes on.

One day, I came home from another trip to the doctor, where I discovered that I would need another surgery and had to leave another job while I waited months for it. I decided I was done with working traditional jobs, but I wasn’t going to be working for pennies either. It was at this point that I started feeling that even though I didn’t think I was an authority in the writing field, I had enough skill to be worth a living wage. It sounds silly saying it now. Hard work is always worth a living wage, novice or not.

I scoured the web for any and all freelance opportunities and eventually created a career for myself in the market research space. In doing work that was consistently rated, reviewed, and published by both small and enterprise companies, I finally believed I had the skill to call myself a writer.

Find Your Path To Believing In Yourself

R. A. Fletcher Graduation Day SNHU 2023

Referring to myself with that title, “Writer” (and now "Author"), was the first step to overcoming my imposter syndrome for real.

Remember how I mentioned my sisters before? Well, the thing is, I never wanted to be exactly like any of them. Back in high school, I wrote several full-length stories, plays, songs, and articles that have never seen the light of day. One of my sisters at the time was avidly working towards being a writer. Inspired mostly by the works of Meg Cabot, she worked tirelessly from the age of 14 to become a USA Today Best-selling author by the time she was 25. For whatever reason, I didn’t want to feel like I was copying her, though I did ask her for pointers on creating a career in writing. I never really felt like I got an answer.

Which leads me to the real process that helped me get over my imposter syndrome, or at least really start. School. Now I understand this may not be the path for everyone, but the point is: find the path that works for you.

In high school, I said I never wanted to be a doctor, lawyer, or scientist because I didn’t want to go to school for eight or more years. Fast-forward 10 years, and I am one semester away from graduating with my third degree as a Master of Fine Arts. The difference is, I didn’t get my degrees just to get a job. I got them for me.

I could pick up a book and read about how to be a better writer or design book covers. But schooling makes me accountable. Just like working with clients. When I work under contracts with clients, I am required to complete the work as agreed so I can get paid. When I do my best, I see results.

In 2024, I decided I wasn’t going to work for clients who wouldn't publish using my name anymore. If I was going to write, I would have my name attached to the work, and I would be adding value to my portfolio. At the time, I had several project ideas in mind, but no real path forward to finish them. Googling self-publishing is a rabbit hole that can be draining, demoralizing, and confusing. So I skipped that step. I chose one project, enrolled in a graduate program, and tailored my classes to fit my goals.

Now, I have three massive projects nearly completed, and I’m not finished yet. I am ready to finally come out from behind the shadows of content mills and marketing clients and into the light as an author.

Fake It 'Til You Make It May Not Be The Best Advice

When I entered the job market in 2014 with no idea how to make money online, no background in writing, and no support, imposter syndrome weighed heavily on me.

I was told over and over again, “fake it ’til you make it.”

That’s what I felt like I did from the beginning. But that’s not what pulled me out of it. I have never been a “fake” writer. The money I made is not “fake,” nor is the career and network I have built. For years, I thought I was getting through by “faking it.” Not anymore.

Try it. Try everything, try it a different way, and then try it again. The industry is constantly changing, people are constantly changing, and me? I’m learning from everything I try.

No one starts as a master. We all start as novices. But that doesn't make anything you do "fake." Through experience, we grow. Through lessons, we learn. If you are trying, you are not an imposter. Know your strengths, learn from your weaknesses, be honest, and show up.

My name is R. A. Fletcher. I am a writer, designer, and artist. Once upon a time, I thought I was an imposter. Today, I am working toward becoming a Master. I’ve got big things coming, and I’m not finished yet.