Imposter syndrome.

Okay so.

Ive been writing on and off since i was like....14.

Im now 46.

Ive shared my work with family/close friends over the years. All of them tell me how much they wish I would finish a story and publish it.

But....Something always stops me. I thought maybe I was getting bored or overwhelmed and quit.

So the current novel I have made a point to make a clear outline and know exactly where the story is going so I dont have an excuse to just quit.

Ive shared it with my husband and he loves it. Even tho its romance and he always tries to get me to turn it into some epic lord of the rings stuff.

I do not write nor do I want to read lord of the rings. 🤣😂 bless his heart for thinking i actually have the talent to write something like that tho. He's my ride or die. Lol!

That said. I think ive figured out what the issue is. I know i can write. Ive been told i am a good writer to the point of being asked to write the obituary for some close friends over the last 6 months or so.

Granted, my writing here is, questionable. But this is reddit and my phone. Lol.

I think the issue is imposter syndrome. There is a big part of me that thinks I suck and my friends and family dont want to hurt my feelings.

The idea of sharing my inner worlds is absolutely terrifying to me.

What if I fail? What if everyone hates it and rips me apart online?

At the same time, I feel like just letting the work ive done sit on my laptop is a waste.

Thoughts?