Tuesday afternoon in 2013, Greenwich Village. A little French cafe where nothing cost less than $19.

I was meeting my friend and MFA colleague Brian, so we could talk shop about our novels.

“I love my novel’s story,” I said as our Americanos arrived. “I know the idea is solid. But I feel like…I’m not good enough to write it.”

“The idea may be better than the execution,” he said.

“Exactly.”

Brian was very gracious and encouraging, as good friends are. “Of course you’re good enough,” etc.

I left feeling the glow of camaraderie, and the relief of being talked out of a negative belief about myself.

But it turned out, I’d been right.

I wasn’t good enough.

✨

For years, I fought against that.

I let my friends and my agent convince me that I was. I revised endlessly. I gave it everything I had.

And the end result was…underwhelming.

✍

Today’s cultural narrative can be quite encouraging.

“All self-doubt is imposter syndrome!”

“You’re definitely good enough, even if you’re never done it before.”

I don’t want to sound negative, but the truth is, sometimes we’re not. Sometimes the idea outperforms the skill.

Especially when it comes to writing, it can take time to build up a skill.

13 years after I started it, I can see why that first book failed.

I’m a different writer now. I understand structure better.

I revise more strategically.

I can execute the thing that at 23, I could only imagine.

Happily, I’m working on that book again, and now I do feel good enough.

📖

If you’re thinking of writing a book, I hope you do it. It’s one of the most mind-expanding and soul-fulfilling things you can do.

But if the idea surpasses the ability, you might get frustrated.

If your idea is bigger than your current execution, that doesn’t mean you’re untalented, or that you have to wait 13 years.
It might mean you need a collaborator.

I’m Kimberly, writer, ghostwriter, & book coach.

If you’d like a strategic partner in bringing your book to life, let’s talk.

Click here to get started.