Journaling helped me slay imposter syndrome in disguise

Editor’s Note: See Jane Write now publishes personal essays by writers who identify as women, non-binary folks, and our allies. Learn more here.

By Sherilyn Anderson

I’ve dreamed and often fantasized about being a writer for more than half of my 55 years. Life-threatening uterine cancer pushed me to pursue writing seriously because falling back on my previous profession, a high school English teacher, to support myself is no longer an option. I believe that sometimes God puts us in situations where we don’t have a choice but to make moves in life that we don’t dare to do on our own. 

I started working with a writing coach and I started journaling to help build a writing routine. Because of journaling, I’m writing more and I’m getting faster. Even though I’m developing a groove and routine, it still feels like a piece is missing from my writing puzzle. When I couldn’t determine what it was, I asked my writing coach when will I feel comfortable calling myself a writer.  She told me that I am a writer because I write, but she couldn’t answer that question for me.  I am grateful she didn’t have an answer because it provided an opportunity for me to slay a sneaky dragon.

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Southern Writers: Rep’ The South in Your Bio!

While living Down Under, Katie Matthews learned to love being from Down South.

Editor’s Note: See Jane Write now publishes personal essays by writers who identify as women, non-binary folks, and our allies. Learn more here.

By Katie Matthews

“You’re either from Scotland or America,” she guessed as I passed around the after-school snacks. I was the newest employee of the daycare program, hired primarily because I had a valid driver’s license and a clear background check. Even though my entire driving career had taken place on the opposite side of the road up to that point, I found myself piloting a bus of a dozen young kids through roundabouts and past kangaroo crossing signs to the daycare center each day.

When I moved to Perth, Australia, two things became immediately clear: few Aussies knew where my home state was, and fewer understood me when I used my most beloved pronoun, Y’all. I switched cold turkey to “You guys” and learned to identify Alabama as being “just above Florida.” I figured most people pictured Georgia by this description but decided that was close enough.

My short time in Australia helped me better contextualize my identity as a Southerner. They weren’t very familiar with the state, much less the stigmas associated with it. It was freeing for me not to have to follow up where I’m from with an immediate qualifier. “I’m from Alabama and yes we have shoes and running water.” I roll my eyes at the stereotypes, but still, I have never been particularly proud to be from the South. 

When I began my writing career, it was a skeleton in my closet.

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Target Practice

Editor’s Note: See Jane Write now publishes personal essays by writers who identify as women, non-binary folks, and our allies. Learn more here.

by Tina Bausinger

The gunshot rips through the air, and I feel it in my chest as it explodes in my ears. There’s a ringing noise clouding my thoughts as I smell the smoke. My hands shake as I nearly drop the gun in the untamed grass.

All I can think is No.

No, I don’t want to fire again.

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But Who Cares About Southern Women?

Editor’s Note: See Jane Write now publishes personal essays by writers who identify as women, non-binary folks, and our allies. Learn more here.

By: Tina Bausinger

But who cares about Southern women?

I paused. Was this really a question? It seemed to be.

I’m reading an email sent from the dean of my graduate school, who is also my instructor. I’m working on my topic for my doctorate studies, and it includes southern women’s voices. Is it possible he’s being serious? Is it possible I must explain that yes, people care about Southern women?

This question I continue to answer two years later.

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