We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jeff Berney. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jeff below.
Hi Jeff, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Every time I read a great book, I am simultaneously filled with joy and dread. Joy because I love stories and the accompanying mind movies my own imagination adds to the prose. And I love reading something I know an author poured their soul into, spending hours upon hours battling against their own inner demons as the they pull the story from their sub-conscience onto the page. Then comes the dread. Can my stories ever be as good as the one I just read? Why do I even try?
I don’t think imposter syndrome ever really goes away. But I’ve learned to push it aside. Honestly, it’s a waste of energy to worry about how good a story is going to be until it is written. And if I enjoy it someone else is bound to. It helps, too, that I write to entertain my wife. If she likes what I’ve written, to hell with negative reviews.
Another hard lesson is learning that not all books are meant for every reader. You have an audience out there. Don’t give up until you find it. And above all, keep writing.
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?
I make things up for a living. I tell stories and try to tap into readers’ emotions in order to create an experience that will stick with them long after they’ve closed one of my books and placed it back on a shelf.
The genre I write in the most is the thriller, particularly those with a psychological edge. I love a good thriller, particularly one where the ending hits you like a ton of bricks you never saw coming, even though it was literally swinging above your head the entire time you were reading the book.
My job, as I see it, is to make readers react. Sometimes I want them to laugh. Other times I want them to enjoy a good cry. And, yes, there are those time when I want them to gasp and throw my book across the room. I don’t write happily ever after endings. Or beginnings. Or middles. I dig deep into the psyche of my characters. That means my “good guys” aren’t perfect. It also means my “bad guys” will often do some truly revolting stuff. Does it all work out in the end? Absolutely. It’s just messy. But that’s life, isn’t it?
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I firmly believe that anyone can write a book. Frankly, if I can do it, so can you. But it’s like anything. You have to be passionate about it, and you have to be prepared to work at it. Can I run a marathon? Um, not today. But if I wanted to (I don’t), I would start training. I’d run a little at a time, building on my distance and form each time I trained. I’d make sure I had shoes that fit properly and were made for running. I’d bring water. And I’d manage my expectations. I wouldn’t expect to win my first marathon. Heck, I’d be happy if I just finished.
Same with writing a book. Get the right software (whatever works best for you). Start writing a little each day. Heck, one word or one sentence is progress. Then build on that. Don’t give up. Keep the end in mind. And soon (well, not soon but eventually), you’ll have a finished book. Will that first draft be good? Nope. But you finished the race. The rest is just finesse.
Writing, for me at least, requires patience, space and trust. You have to have the patience to know that a book doesn’t happen in a day (for most of us anyway) or even a year (for me at least). You’re not racing the clock. You’re making art. So give yourself some grace and have fun. And give yourself the space to explore, to be creative, to try new things. And finally, trust in yourself. Your story will come out. Sometimes it feels like you’re bleeding ink, but then there are a few glorious moments where you feel like a mere vessel through which this amazing story is being channeled. Guess what? That’s your mind saying, ooh I like this, let’s keep going.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
I think everyone, book lovers at least, has that one favorite book they revisit over and over. For me, it’s A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. I read it at least once every couple of years. I’m reading it right now, as a matter of fact. I don’t write like Irving. Nor do I write in the literary genre like he does. But he is my inspiration as an author.
From Irving, I learned that even freaks need representation in literature. That the taboo is only taboo if it is kept in the dark. That no topic should be off limits to an author. From Irving, I learned the power of foreshadowing and the shear, jaw dropping amazement a skilled writer can create when they use a light touch on the hints that lead to the biggest plot twists and the ending that you never saw coming but is the perfect resolve to the story any way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jeffberney.com
