I Should Be Writing

I haven’t written a blog post in a while. I have started and stopped about 25 different posts since the end of January, but I didn’t think any were worth publishing.

You see, I have this problem. Maybe you’ve heard of it. It’s called imposter syndrome. It’s a psychological condition in which one believes that despite all their accomplishments, people have an intense fear that others will find out they are a fraud.

Yes, I know. I’m being ridiculous. I know I’m not a fraud, but let’s face it I’m not an author either (yet). But, it’s a process. It’s a long process to go from writer to a blogger to an author. I’ve been doing the writer part since the fourth grade. I wrote for the school paper in high school and in college, I minored in journalism. I was the features editor of The Quad, had a popular weekly column, worked weekends as an obituary writer and then landed a reporter’s beat after graduation.

But then, I decided to put down my reporter’s notebook for a 9-5 job because I didn’t think I could make a living that way and have a family. I didn’t have a mentor or anyone back then to encourage me and tell me otherwise.

Since then, I’ve been dabbling in writing for the last 20 years. I’ve been a blogger, a storyteller, a scriptwriter, an editor, a presenter, a communications manager and, most recently, an email marketing expert.

But I no longer think this dabbling crap is enough for me, and here’s why.

If you came to my house and looked at my bookshelves, you would find writing magazines, books about writing and grammar, prompt decks and a poster on my corkboard with a list of quotes from famous writers about…can you guess…writing!

In the drawers of my desk are countless notebooks and yellow legal pads filled with things I’ve written for the writer’s workshop I’ve attended casually for years.

If you looked in my Yahoo inbox, you’d see emails from websites like Writers Write, Writer’s Digest, Poets and Writers, WOW – Women on Writing and so on.

If you read my mind, you would discover the plethora of personal stories still untold, the lists of people I want to interview, several book chapters and ideas, blog posts and more.

So, I’ll say it right now. I’m not an imposter.

I’m a writer.

And I feel like the universe is trying to tell me something.

Seriously, what the fuck am I waiting for?

 

4 comments on I Should Be Writing

  1. Martha
    March 14, 2020 at 7:19 am (4 years ago)

    Glad to see you back to writing!

  2. Nancy Smith
    March 13, 2020 at 10:34 am (4 years ago)

    I’d love to read the stories you write…I’m my worst critic. I’ve not had writing lessons – other than the ones in school and I’m not a journalist. I’m sure on a daily basis, people cringe when reading my posts/blogs because of inaccuracies and faux pas.

    • Elisa Heisman
      March 13, 2020 at 10:36 am (4 years ago)

      Thanks for commenting. I’m sure they don’t cringe. 🙂 I’m sure they love what you write too. Keep doing what you are doing. Practice makes perfect.

  3. Julie JordanScott
    March 12, 2020 at 9:23 pm (4 years ago)

    You’re absolutely right. you are NOT an imposter. You are a writer. I look forward to more posts from you… keep writing and publishing so more of the world may know what a remarkable writer you are!