When Doubt Creeps In: A Songwriter’s Battle with Imposter Syndrome

by Marty Dodson, SongTown Co-Founder

Sometimes, I find myself staring at a blank page, not because I don’t have ideas, but because of the voice in my head that whispers, “You’re not good enough.” Maybe you’ve heard that voice too.

Am I any good as a songwriter?
Do I even belong in this writing room?
Will people think my ideas are stupid?
Do I really have what it takes to make it in this business?

These thoughts aren’t rare.

In fact, they’re more common among successful creatives than most people realize. That nagging feeling—that you’re not truly qualified to be where you are, or that someone is going to “find out” you’re a fraud—is called imposter syndrome. And it’s something nearly every songwriter I know, including hit writers, has battled at some point.

Why? Because songwriting is personal. We’re not just crafting melodies and rhymes—we’re pouring out pieces of ourselves, hoping someone else will understand, connect, and care. And when you put yourself out there in such a vulnerable way, self-doubt can feel like a permanent companion.

But here’s what I’ve learned: Feeling like an imposter doesn’t mean you are one.

In fact, it can mean the opposite. It means you care deeply about your craft. It means you hold yourself to a high standard. It means you’re aware of the incredible talent around you—and that’s a good thing. Humility keeps us learning and growing.

The key is not to let those doubts drive you crazy. Let them ride in the backseat if they must—but you stay behind the wheel.

When I question whether I belong in a co-write or whether my idea is “good enough,” I try to shift the focus from proving myself to expressing myself. I remind myself that my perspective is unique. No one else has lived my life, heard melodies the way I hear them, or felt the exact combination of joy and pain that fuels my songs. That alone means I have something to offer. And so do you.

You belong in the writing room

not because you’ve had hits, not because you have the best voice, but because you showed up. You sat down. You brought your heart and your willingness to create something out of nothing. That’s what songwriters do.

So the next time imposter syndrome shows up—and it will—take a deep breath and keep writing. Speak your truth in that lyric. Hum your idea, even if your voice shakes. Share the line that scares you, because it just might be the line that moves someone else.

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be real. And real always wins in the long run.

Keep showing up. Keep writing. You belong here.

-Marty