Lessons in Overcoming Writing Doubt with Author Amy L. Bernstein
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If you’ve ever stared at your blinking cursor and wondered if you’re even cut out for this whole writing thing, this one’s for you.
Recently on the Write It Scared podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of talking with Amy L. Bernstein, author of Wrangling the Doubt Monster: Fighting Fears, Finding Inspiration. And let me tell you, this conversation cracked me open in the best way. It reminded me why I do this work, and why it matters that we talk honestly about self-doubt, creative fear, and the messy, beautiful process of being a writer.
Because here’s the truth: writing and doubt go hand in hand. As Amy puts it, "Every single act of creating is also an act of doubting."
Let that sink in.
The Doubt Monster Is Real (and You're Not Alone)
Amy’s journey is deeply relatable. A lifelong writer who didn’t call herself one until she was past middle-age, she shared how her inner critic kept her small. Despite decades of writing—from journalism to speech writing—she didn’t claim the title of “writer.”
Sound familiar? So many of us struggle to own that identity, especially when we’re battling perfectionism, rejection, or the fear that we’re just not enough.
That’s where Wrangling the Doubt Monster comes in. It’s not a how-to guide. It’s a warm, illustrated book of compassionate truth bombs and encouragement, designed to sit next to your laptop or live on your nightstand. The kind of book you can flip open to any page and feel understood. And seen. And just a little bit braver.
Doubt Isn’t the Enemy
One of my favorite takeaways from our conversation is that doubt doesn’t always mean stop. In fact, sometimes doubt is just your brain’s way of protecting you, inviting you to pause, assess, and make intentional choices.
But it’s also a liar.
It’ll whisper that you’re not ready. That you’re not talented enough. That someone else can say it better. And when we listen too closely, we start shrinking away from the very things we’re meant to create.
Instead of trying to banish doubt completely (which, spoiler alert, isn’t possible), Amy invites us to walk with it. To recognize that it’s just one voice in the chorus. And not the one that gets the final say.
Your Voice Is Still There
If you’ve been feeling the brain fog, the "why bother," or the messy middle blues, I see you. Amy sees you. And the good news is: doubt might show up, but so will you. Your voice is still there. Your story still matters.
Amy’s "yes, and" tool really stuck with me. It’s the idea that you can say, Yes, I’m scared, and I’m writing this book anyway.
You’re allowed to feel afraid.
You’re allowed to feel unqualified.
And you’re allowed to keep going.
A Book You’ll Want Beside You
Whether you’re revising your fifth novel or struggling to finish your first draft, Wrangling the Doubt Monster is one of those books that meets you right where you are. It's honest. It's hopeful. It's the kind of gentle, firm companion we all need when our confidence is in the dumpster.
So go ahead and grab yourself a copy. Tab it up. Scribble in the margins like I did. Let it be a touchstone.
And the next time your inner critic starts acting up? Flip open a page. Take a breath. And remember you’re not alone.
Amy’s work is a gift to all of us who are trying to do this brave thing: telling stories even when we’re scared.
You can find her book and more about her work at amywrites.live.
Keep going, writer. You’ve got this.
