Imposter Syndrome, Anyone?

I have been furiously writing away, trying to write the last chapters of my new novel A Curse of Power while still promoting my current release, and I had the strangest thing happen the other day. As you do, I checked Goodreads to see if any further reviews had been submitted and was surprised to find a new review.

The reviewer had given The Last Coven a 5-star review of my book, and I don’t know what it was, but I felt very emotional as I read her comments on my work. I read the review over and over and began to convince myself that this reader had left a review on the wrong book, because how could she be discussing my work? How could the words she used to describe how she felt when she read my book actually be about my book?

I honestly had myself convinced it was an error until I read the review again, and she mentioned me by name. This complete stranger, someone unknown to me and on the other side of the world, had taken the time to leave an outstanding review, with words I am used to seeing often in reviews of other, much more successful authors. Her words were for me… for my work and my book! It was mind-blowing!

However, the point of this post is that I could not read that review and accept that someone thought so highly of my work. My initial reaction was to assume it was a mistake, as how could someone possibly think and write such positive and complementary comments about my book? Imposter syndrome is a horrible thing, and I doubt myself often. But even when the most lovely things happen and people have such positive things to say about my book, why do we frequently go to that place? These comments can’t possibly be about my work because I am an impostor and someone playing at being an author!

So, I will try to put those negative places my mind sometimes takes me, and enjoy the journey. I will treasure the research, the writing and even the editing and marketing. I will take the good with the bad and take pride in what I am creating and accept that there is an audience for everyone, and that this lady was my perfect audience, hence her lovely and kind words about my book.

Happy Sunday!