We recently connected with Ruth Anna Evans and have shared our conversation below.
Ruth Anna, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I won’t say that I’ve completely overcome imposter syndrome, but most days I feel that I have a right to be doing what I am doing based on the talent and grit I bring to the table. I’m just really lucky in that I like my own work. When I create something, I can objectively see its flaws so that I can fix it, but in general, I just really am in love with my art. It makes sense to me that this is something other people would have an interest in. I also am a really good learner, so over time I’ve learned things that can help other people. Having that knowledge base makes me feel confident in continuing to take next steps in my career.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I call my business Ruth Anna Evans Horrors because I have my hands in a lot of different sides of horror. I am a writer of short fiction: stories and novellas. I am a cover designer for indie horror authors and small presses. I build anthologies, and I’m currently in the process of acquiring my first work by another author to publish. I also dabble in formatting, but that’s a secret because I have enough on my plate! I started out in horror in 2020 when I needed an outlet for my anxiety, and just became obsessed with dark stories. I love the imagery, the colors, the imagination behind bringing horrors to life. I also love the people I get to work with in creating horror books. They are some truly wonderful friends and colleagues that I feel privileged to know.
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?
First, I think it’s been so important to believe in myself. I have no doubt that if I determine to do something or learn something, that I can do it. The resources are there, I have the support I need from my friends and family, and I have the brain and talent to make it happen. Why would I second-guess myself when my time could be better spent going after what I dream of? Second, the ability to learn has taken me everywhere I’ve been. Research, asking questions, trying things for the first time, learning from mistakes–you have to be a self-teacher when you set out to establish yourself in any market, but particularly a creative one. Finally, a love for what I do. Creating stories and art for horror is just something I love to do, so I never dread my work. If I were to start dreading it, I just wouldn’t do it. That’s the beauty, for me, of not relying on this work as my sole income. I’m not someone who aspires to quit my job and do horror full time. For me, the pressure of that, financially, would be too much. I’m happy with it being a wonderful side gig that I enjoy immensely.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I get to work. I make a list and tackle the things that are most stressing me out. There is nothing like clearing your plate to get past the feeling of being overwhelmed. You also need to know when you are stressing yourself out for no reason. For example, if I have five commissions due, that can feel overwhelming, but the truth is they don’t all have to be done today. Authors typically order their covers with plenty of lead time. So I just schedule everything out on my calendar and breathe. With my personal writing work or publishing work, I set my own timelines on that. So I don’t schedule myself in a way that leads to stress. I give myself plenty of time to get everything done, and I work on it ahead of time so I’m never facing an impossible deadline. Well, almost never ; ).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ruthannaevans.com
- Instagram: @ruthannaevanshorrors
- Facebook: Ruth Anna Evans
- Twitter: @ruthannaevans
