Confidence in my writing ability has been hard to come by. The power of my pen served as a primary source of expression. I’ve received positive feedback about my work from family and friends, but none has stuck. No matter how much they praised me, I still couldn’t find the enthusiasm to say, out loud, “I am a writer” and mean it. War broke out in my mind as Impostor Syndrome raged in the deepest parts of me.

I’ve watched my doubt fade to a dull roar this year. 2024 has gifted me the faith in the abilities I’ve always had. My words are my sword to navigate life. As of this moment, I have written nine stories with Coffee House Writers and over twenty stories on my Medium blog.

I’ve polished my work as a non-fiction writer and observed the impact it has created. With growing belief in myself, I have been able to set consistent goals for my Medium blog and publish at least once a month. I was boosted by a publication on Medium where one of my blogs reached over five hundred people on their site.

But the leap into writing fiction has been my biggest win this year. For almost twenty years, I’ve written narratives in a somewhat secretive way in an online community. Up until this point, my stories about her felt taboo and hobby-based. She developed when I was a teenager trying to avoid the ebbs and flows of my life. However, my works are no longer bathed in the escapism of teenage angst. Instead, I’m fashioning space for this character I created over a decade ago and developing a world for her. Even the mere thought has melted my insecurities away. Feasting my eyes on this evolution has been a pleasure.

The combination of personal growth and the guidance of an editor has helped me. I’ve enjoyed having an outside critique from a seasoned writer. At first, I was nervous to open myself up to someone with an education in writing. I felt intimidated by the entire process. As time progressed, so did I. I’ve been fortunate to have positive relationships with my editors.

Thank you 2024, for allowing me to learn about myself and the belief in my highest ability. Hiding in fear of judgment from others is no longer an option because, yes, I am a writer!

Editor: Shannon Hensley