As an aspiring author, one of the biggest hurdles you might face is believing in yourself and your ability to write a book. Lack of author confidence can lead to procrastination, writer’s block, and even giving up on your dream altogether.

But here’s the thing: you CAN write that book, and you DO have valuable insights to share with the world. Don’t let self-doubt hold you back!

In a recent interview on Ally Berthiaume‘s Open Book Broadcast, I had the pleasure of discussing the topic of author confidence with fellow book coaches Jessica Anderson and Tanya Brockett. We dove deep into the mindset shifts and practical strategies that can help you overcome your fears and finally put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).

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How to Build Your Author Confidence

I’ve pulled some takeaways from the conversation and here are some ways we shared to build your author confidence.

Embrace Your Identity as an Author

One of the most powerful things you can do for your author confidence is to start thinking of yourself as an author, even before you’ve published your book. Jessica recommends practicing telling yourself, “I am someone who writes.”

Build that muscle and gradually work up to claiming the author identity.

It’s not about arrogance or wishful thinking — it’s about embodying the role and giving yourself permission to create. Tanya added that she loves being her clients’ biggest cheerleader, helping them gain the confidence to know they can make their book happen.

Create a Business Focusing Ritual

As a business owner writing a book, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or stuck in the “I don’t know what to write about” trap. To combat this, I always suggest creating a daily business focusing ritual. This isn’t about writing your book (yet) — it’s about gaining clarity on your core message and unique voice.

Try taking a walk each morning and asking yourself questions like:

• How can I make my offerings more valuable for my audience?
• What do I want to be known for?
• How does my story intersect with the transformation I provide?

Use a voice memo app to capture your insights. Over time, this ritual will help you develop rock-solid confidence in your expert positioning, making the book writing process much smoother.

Understand Your Ideal Reader

“One of the best ways to boost your author confidence is to get crystal clear on who you’re writing for,” said Tanya.

Zero in on your ideal reader and the impact you want your book to have on their lives. What do you want them to think, feel, do or become as a result of reading your book?

Understanding your target audience’s needs and desires will help you write with purpose and conviction. You’ll know that your message matters and that there are people out there who need to hear what you have to say.

Check Out: Heroine’s Journey? It’ll Help You Write a Book that Readers Love

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Build Your Confidence with Baby Steps

Writing a book is a big undertaking, and it’s normal to feel daunted by the scope of the project. The key is to break it down into small, manageable steps. Focus on the next tiny action you can take, rather than getting bogged down in the enormity of the end goal.

“Start small and celebrate each milestone along the way,” said Jessica. “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.”

Remember, every book starts with a single word. As you keep showing up and putting in the work, your confidence will grow. Baby step by baby step, you’ll begin to trust in your ability to see this project through.

Forget About Perfection

Repeat after me: done is better than perfect. So many would-be authors get stuck in the trap of perfectionism, endlessly polishing their first chapter or waiting for the ideal time to start writing. The truth is, there will never be a perfect time, and your first draft will never be flawless – and that’s okay!

“Give yourself permission to write badly,” I always tell my clients. You can always revise and refine your work later. The most important thing is to keep moving forward and trust the process.

Seek Out Support and Accountability

Writing can be a lonely pursuit, but it doesn’t have to be. Surrounding yourself with a community of fellow authors and working with a coach or mentor can do wonders for your confidence and motivation.

When self-doubt rears its ugly head, having a support system to turn to can make all the difference. Your cheerleaders will remind you of your brilliance, help you troubleshoot obstacles, and celebrate your progress along the way.

Take the Leap

At the end of the day, boosting your author confidence comes down to taking courageous action. Feel the fear and write anyway. Trust that your words have power and that your story deserves to be told.

As Tanya puts it, “If you’ve got something on your heart and mind that you want to share with the world, focus on the impact you want to make. Let that purpose fuel your confidence and propel you forward.”

You’ve got this, my friend. Embrace your identity as an author, take baby steps, and dare to put your message out there. The world needs your book!

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Pin this post to share with your fellow writers ⤵️

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My Top 3 Takeaways from this Conversation

Here are my favorite takeaways from this fantastic conversation with Ally, Jessica, and Tanya about bravery and getting started writing your book:

1. Mindset is crucial. You have to believe you can write the book and that you have something valuable to say. Daily rituals and visioning yourself as an author help build that identity and confidence.
2. Break the process into small, manageable chunks to avoid overwhelm. Having a clear roadmap with bite-sized steps makes the journey feel achievable. Find a process that works for you.
3. Do your market research. Talk directly to your audience to understand what they want from your book. Write the book you want to write but make sure it hits the right notes with your ideal readers.