Oohs and Aahs for 2.2.24

Imposter syndrome, Buffalo Fluffalo, and foam rolling

Have you ever said to yourself, “I just want to feel like a real writer?”

I know you have, because pretty much every writer I’ve ever talked to has had this thought. It doesn’t matter what stage you’re at in your career, this voice pops up.

We think that we will feel like real writers when…

• We get an agent

• Publish our book

• See our book in a store

• Get a starred review

• Win an award

• Score a flattering blurb

• Sign a book

So many milestones!

These moments do feel really good, and they’re definitely encouraging signs. But when they happen, we tend to keep hearing that voice. Sometimes the voice even gets louder, saying “You aren’t a real writer. You never will be. Everyone is going to notice. You should give up before they find out.”

I’ve worked with hundreds of writers on hundreds of books, and over the years, I’ve learned feeling like you’re a real writer is more about seeing yourself as an artist and believing creativity is an important part of your life than meeting milestones. When you invest time, energy, and money in your writing, it feels more real, partly because you’re giving it the attention it deserves, and partly because you start making progress SO much more quickly. It looks like:

• Becoming friends with other writers

• Taking classes

• Protecting your time and writing regularly

• Sharing your work

• Taking your ideas seriously

• Experimenting with your process

• Finishing a project

• Reviewing your body of work

• Booking a manuscript critique or a coaching session

The sooner you make writing a part of your daily life, the sooner you’ll feel like a writer. This doesn’t mean you have to write every day! It just means it becomes a part of who you are and what you do.

Feeling stuck? Hit reply! I’m here to help.

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This Week I’m…

• Very much enjoying Bess Kalb’s “weird and niche” approach to marketing Buffalo Fluffalo

• Trying this vibrating foam roller for the first time after buying it for my husband years ago and EXHALING in the best way

• Giving these funny pieces of chalk all the heart eyes

• Leaning hard on this silly show as snow and sickness descend on our house

• Soaking in all this amazingness!

• Nodding along to this warning against the “bulletization” of books

• Reading this realistic take on creativity in motherhood

• Wondering what your spiritual age is? (Mine might be 29. Or maybe 1000!)

When I started this Substack, I had no idea if I would even turn on paid subscriptions, and it’s been so encouraging to receive your support. Even $5 a month tells me you value the work I do, and you want to support this beautiful community that we’re building together.

I’m planning to keep all the Mothers Who Make interviews and Oohs and Aahs free. They’re a source of joy and connection for so many people. I’ll also share some personal essays around creativity and motherhood that I want to have a wider audience.

Now paid subscribers will receive access to a JUICY library of practical resources and guides. These are designed to help you grow as a creative and turn your idea into a book.

You’ll find topics like:

How to Return to Your Creative Practice After a Long Break

How to Write a Book Proposal

What Genre Is This?

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PS—The fastest way to grow as a writer is to book a manuscript critique or a creative coaching session with an expert.

My clients get agents, sell books, and win awards. They also learn how to find ease and joy in the creative process, so they can keep going when life gets hard.