Secrets of an “Author”

It’s been a little over three months since I published my first book, and somehow I’m sitting here as a published author of two books.

I’ve learned a lot.

Yet most days I still don’t feel like an “Author”. When people ask me what I do for work, I still don’t know what to say. I think many people have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their life, but I’ve never had it quite as bad as I do now.

I often wonder why that is? I published two books. I had them edited, I can find them in my local bookstore, and on the most popular shopping websites. I should feel accomplished.

I can’t help but wonder, at what point do you feel like a “real author”? When does the response to ‘what do you do for work?’ become an easy reply.

Is it when your book is sold in every Barnes & Noble across the country? Is it when you sell enough books to consider it a real salary? What is the magic line? Or is there one at all? Is it all in my head?

Sometimes I wonder.

Most days it still feels like the only people reading my books are my friends and family.. but some days I get a sweet message from a stranger, telling me how much they loved my book or loved a specific scene.

Those days I hold on to. Those days I screenshot the nice messages, so that when I sit down to write again, I can look at them and smile.

I can know I’m writing for them. The stranger who said my book meant something to them.

Because at the end of the day, if my book had a positive impact on only ONE person. It’s worth it <3