Imposter syndrome is a behavioural health phenomenon described as self-doubt of intellect, skills, or accomplishments among high-achieving individuals.

Now, I wouldn’t say that applies to me exactly but last week when the other students in the private Facebook group for the Picture Book Course started posting their illustrations, I did feel something almost bordering panic for a minute. They are GOOD. Really good. And the course is just getting started.

It was very intimidating.

What am I doing? I’m not an illustrator. Or a writer. Who says I can write and illustrate any kind of book? Flasbhback to my Grandma Bateman telling ten year old me that I indeed had no right to believe I could ever publish a book … but that’s part of another story.

On Writing

Every morning during the week, I wake up, stagger down the hall to the kitchen to put on some coffee before settling in the cozy reading chair in my home office (or on the couch in my sunroom during the warmer months) to read something work related to get me revved up and ready for the day.

On Writing by Stephen King was my first selection from the course booklist. I’m a few chapters in, up to the point where Stephen has hammered a nail over his desk in which to attach his rapidly growing stack of rejection letters.

Progress, not Perfection

I guess the bottom line here is that I need to focus on enjoying the process of creating. Instead of worrying that my weekly submissions aren’t good enough yet, I will have fun with it and enjoy the exhilaration of learning something new.

Worst case scenario, even if my first picture book never gets published, I will improve my illustration skills and hopefully end up with some work that will be a solid foundation for future products.

And, best of all, I’ll have lots of pictures of my best friend, Bella 😊