I wish every writer who first comes to me with the words “I’m not a real writer…” could hear all the other writers who first came to me with the words “I’m not a real writer”. 

Or, “I’ll write when I’m less busy.”

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Or, “I’ll write when I feel confident enough.”

Or, “I’ll write when I’m sure the idea is perfect.”

The thing about imposter syndrome – an easy shorthand for the feeling we don’t have a right to show up for what we would, actually, love to do or be – is it’s how our minds overpower curiosity. 

Tuning into our curiosity, or not tuning into it, is the biggest difference between writing authentically and not writing at all. We cannot write the final draft before we’ve dared to write the first one. Inspiration is a great feeling but nine times out of ten it comes through writing, rather than being a necessary precursor to it. It’s habits, not inspiration, we can rely on. We can all break the inspiration addiction. And we all do it easiest by showing up one step at a time.

That’s why there’s a Writers’ Gym.

If you, or someone you know, is currently a member of the “I’m not a real writer” brigade, any of the options below are a great way to realise we all are. The only qualification is showing up to the page, and doing your thinking there. That’s where the curiosity is, it’s also where the fun is.

The Writing Room | 11-1pm Monday 4 November 
FREE for everyone on my mailing list (if you’re reading this, that’s you!). Time and space to think and write with like-minded people. No expectations, no readings, just an open chat box and unmuting for ten minutes’ (totally optional) chat together at the end. Click here.

The Writers’ Gym Podcast | Wednesday 6 November
The current series of The Writers’ Gym, where I’m joined by Emily Inkpen and Chris Gregory, airs a new episode every Wednesday. Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or any other podcast platform.

Writing Room EXTRA | 11am-1pm Friday 8 November 
Members only: please check your Voxer messages for this link.

Coffee & Creativity | 3-4.30pm Friday 8 November 
Quality writing time and quality company! Grab a coffee and have a mid-week chat, a write and then another chat with your fellow creatives. Free for Writers’ Gym members: type your discount code where indicated. Click here.

You don’t have to be a member to join a Writers’ Gym session. But if you’d like to access our weekly programme for free, and receive 30% off all our other creative workouts:

Email thewritersgym@rachelknightley.com or 
download a brochure at writersgym.com

For personal training and creative confidence coaching for life, work and art, 
email info@rachelknightley.com