From The Productive Indie Fiction Writer:
Ever feel like a fraud? Like you’re just pretending to be a writer until someone finds out you’re not legit? Or maybe you keep calling yourself lazy, undisciplined, or “just not that good.”
Yeah. You’re not alone.
Here’s a truth bomb pulled straight from a scribbled note in a notebook (and probably from half a dozen self-help books too, because wisdom likes to hang out in packs):
If you want to understand someone, figure out the narrative they tell themselves about themselves.
If you want to change your behavior, change your narrative.
If you want to change someone else’s behavior, offer them a more compelling narrative they can tell themselves.
That second line? That’s the one that changes everything for indie fiction writers.
Because most of us are carrying around a narrative that makes everything harder than it needs to be.
The Story You Tell Yourself Matters
If you tell yourself you’re a slow writer, your brain will deliver evidence to prove it.
If you believe you’ll never be successful because you’re “bad at marketing,” you’ll subconsciously sabotage yourself with half-hearted promo attempts.
And if you think you’re not a real writer until you hit some arbitrary milestone (spoiler: you won’t feel real then, either), your brain will keep moving the goalpost.
Here’s the thing: the brain loves consistency. It wants your behavior to line up with your self-image.
Change the narrative, and the behavior will follow.
Sounds simple, right?
It is.
It’s also not.
But it’s not as hard as you think, either.
How to Rewrite Your Internal Script
You don’t need to reinvent yourself overnight. You’re not trying to gaslight yourself into believing you’re the lovechild of Nora Roberts and Stephen King (though hey, if that gets words on the page, go for it).
Here’s how to start nudging that inner voice in a new direction:
1. Watch Your Self-Talk Like a Hawk
You’d be amazed how often you trash-talk yourself without noticing.
Catch yourself saying things like:
- “I’ll never be able to write that fast.”
- “I suck at plotting.”
- “No one wants to read what I write.”
Then ask: Would I say this to a friend?
If not, cut it out.
Replace it with something more supportive. Doesn’t have to be sunshine and rainbows. Just neutral is a good start:
- “I’m learning to write faster.”
- “Plotting is a skill I’m improving.”
- “There are readers out there who’ll love my stories.”
2. Affirmations That Don’t Make You Roll Your Eyes
Forget the mirror pep talks if they make you cringe. Try writing affirmations in a journal instead.
Keep them grounded and believable:
- “I am a writer. I show up and do the work.”
- “My voice matters. My stories matter.”
- “I’m allowed to get better with practice.”
Stick them on your desk. Use them as passwords. Make them your phone wallpaper.
The more you see them, the more they stick.
Tip: I set up affirmations as daily repeating tasks in ToDoist; I see them every day and have to check them off so they pop up tomorrow.
3. Journal the Narrative You Want
Journal like you’re already the writer you want to be. Write about your day from the perspective of someone who believes in their talent.
It’s sneaky—and effective. Your brain starts to normalize that identity.
Prompt ideas:
- What would my writing day look like if I believed in my abilities?
- How does a professional indie author handle setbacks?
- What do I want my writing legacy to be?
4. Meditation: Yes, You Have Time
Two minutes. That’s all it takes to breathe, get quiet, and notice what kind of stories your brain is spinning today.
There are loads of great guided meditations for creativity and self-worth out there.
Try the Insight Timer app or YouTube. Look for themes like:
- Confidence
- Abundance
- Inner critic
5. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
We tend to ignore the small wins because they don’t feel like enough. But those small wins?
That’s where momentum lives.
Did you write 300 words today? Awesome. That’s 300 more than yesterday.
Write them down. Brag about them in your writing group. Reward yourself with something tiny and joyful.
It Gets Easier. And Better.
Changing your internal narrative isn’t a one-and-done thing. It’s more like strength training.
You keep showing up. You get stronger. The weight doesn’t magically go away—but it does get easier to lift.
The best part? You’ll start to feel a shift fast.
A little less stress.
A little more hope.
A little less imposter.
A little more writer.
So if you’re waiting for permission to stop calling yourself lazy or not good enough, here it is:
Change the story. Change your writing life.
You’ve got this.
.
Tracy Cooper-Posey
SRP Author and owner of The Productive Indie Fiction Writer
