Meet Arden Coutts

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Arden Coutts a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Arden, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is more common than you would think. A lot of people think that they are the only ones who experience that sinking feeling of wondering if others can tell that you’re just faking it until you make it. I’ve had anxiety and imposter syndrome for as long as I can remember, and I still have it. I’m just a little better at managing it now than I was when I was younger. I don’t actually think that anyone “overcomes” imposter syndrome, I think we learn to manage and live with it, and that’s okay. I personally have grown more confident the more I lean into the things that scare me. I know that I can do hard things, and I tell myself that consistently. It’s also important to remember that doing hard things and being uncomfortable is how we foster growth. So in a way, imposter syndrome can be good, as it pushes us to explore why we’re feeling uncomfortable and how we can adapt and grow to feel more comfortable.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Words are my paintbrush, and stories are my masterpieces. I craft queer romantic suspense novels that delve deep into the complexities of love and self-discovery. Join me on an emotional rollercoaster as we explore the thrilling world of romance in your thirties. Love knows no boundaries, and neither do my stories!

As a trans-non-binary individual, I use my own experiences and those of my peers to enhance my work. In my varied and diverse writing, my goal is to share the queer experience with readers, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation.

From post-apocalyptic horror stories to sapphic love poems, my work is centered on giving queer characters a space to feel safe and explore their own strengths in the larger world.

Writing has allowed me to explore and express my gender and sexual orientation journey, and I hope to continue to explore and share with readers through my characters and the stories that they tell.

It is my goal to have my writing act as a launching pad to build a community around queer issues and identities. I wish to fill the gap in the publishing industry that exists for people who realize their sexuality and gender later in life. Through this community, it’s my goal to give them hope that they can find love even as they are navigating through their own journeys. It’s my goal to encourage readers to think differently about their own perceptions, perspectives, and assumptions through my work.

I combine complex emotional writing and engaging storytelling to help readers connect with queer characters on journeys of self-discovery. I strive to create heartfelt and engaging stories with a depth of emotion that brings fresh air to the romance genre.

I currently have a book of sapphic poetry available on Amazon and a FREE ebook, “Before We Fall,” available on my website (www.ardencoutts.com). The first book in the Fall Trilogy will be released later this fall and will be available on my website, Amazon, and other major bookstores.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
As you start your own creative journey, I think it’s important to stay true to what feels right and true to you. We all have our own journeys, and if I had just one word of advice to give, it would be to lean into your personal journey and not compare yourself to others.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
What a great question! Okay, so if I only had a decade of life left, I think I would try to spend as much time with the people that matter the most in my life, and I think I would continue to do what I’m doing now, which is writing. I would hope to leave behind several pieces that resonate with people and make them feel represented in the content that they consume.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Amanda Duncan Arden Coutts

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