by Cherrilynn Bisbano @bisbanowrites

I feel like a fraud, a fake, a “wanna-be” writer who somehow made it into the wrong line and no one noticed. I am amongst elite writers, and not one of them realizes that I don’t belong. Yes, I can talk the talk—I wear my mask well.

I want to share a secret with you. I finally know the meaning of protagonist. Okay, go ahead and laugh. At my first writer’s conference in 2014, where Cecil Murphy was instructing, I raised my hand. “Cecil, what is a protagonist?” In his kind, loving way, Cecil answered me and added, “See, we have writers at all stages of the journey.”

Why don’t we believe we’re writers?

When published in a compilation book, my self-talk discouraged me from accepting the fact that I’m a published writer. I really am! To me, blogs, online magazines, and newsletters didn’t count. After all, I wasn’t paid to write them. Don’t real writers receive a check for everything they write?

I’ve taught on book proposals, prayer for the writer, and the do’s and don’ts of submitting to agents and publishers. Yet, I still feel like an imposter.

My Discovery

You ask, “Why would someone who owns a writing business, writes for several blogs, and is published in Chicken Soup for the Soul  feel out of place?”

I’ve read many Facebook posts and chatted with my brothers and sisters in Christ, and I made a significant discovery, I am like most of you. I listen to the hideous whisper of the Evil One. I believe his lies that tell me, “You will never make it!” “Everyone will know that you are a fake!” “Who are you to think you can write?”

It’s time to stop believing lies.

Choose Truth

Will you join me in taking every thought captive? We must choose to believe God’s voice. Yes, it’s a choice. Do we listen to the whisper of deception and ridicule or do we listen to the truth? I choose truth! What do you choose?

Join me in fighting the lies. We ARE writers! Here are a few verses to combat the lies:

• “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV.
• “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” 1 Thessalonians 5:24, NIV.
• “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” 2 Peter 1:3, ESV.
• “Be strong and courageous and get to work. Don’t be frightened by the size of the task, for the Lord my God is with you, He will not forsake you. He will see to it that everything is finished correctly”  1 Chronicles 28:20, TLB.
• “…choose this day whom you will serve” Joshua 9:27, ESV.

What truth will you believe? Are you truly a writer? In the comments below, claim it. We’d love to encourage you in your writing career.

Cherrilynn Bisbano is the founder of The Write Proposal book proposal services.

As managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest.

Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. You can find her published in Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to Selah-nominated Breaking the Chains, Heart Reno, and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books.

Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.  She lives with her sixteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 20 years.

Cherrilynn loves Christ, chocolate, coffee, and cats.