I experienced periods of extreme sadness and numbness that can last weeks. I also have no formal training outside of a few bleary memories from grade 10 English class, which I hated and did my best to sleep through. I too feel like a fraud.

I won’t say I understand though. I have a dear friend with clinical depression whose symptoms cause him to be unable to even seek treatment let alone pursue anything creative.

All I can do is say that the beast riding you down likely wants to connect all the dots. And that’s bullshit. ALL writers struggle with the self doubts and the periods where we dontknowcantwrite shit all.

I hope you continue to fight for the words.