Home - Master Writer Mindset

Self-doubt will stop you.

Time management will trip you up.

Discouragement will deflate you.

Success will seem forever out of reach.

You’ll burn out and quit.

Your writing dreams will fade.

WELCOME!

I’m Colleen M. Story, and I help writers master the mental game of writing.

I’ve published seven award-winning books so far—four novels and three nonfiction books for writers.

But things weren’t always so great.

For over 15 years, I battled self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and fear of failure before landing my first traditional publishing contract. I spent years overthinking, rewriting, and holding myself back, convinced I wasn’t good enough. Even after publishing, I faced the overwhelming challenge of marketing my work and putting myself out there.

I know what it’s like to dream of success but feel stuck, frustrated, and uncertain about the path forward.

That’s why I created Master Writer Mindset—to help writers like you build confidence in your craft and career. Whether you’re struggling to stay consistent, afraid to hit publish, or feeling lost in the marketing maze, you’ll find the mindset shifts and practical strategies you need to move forward.

Subscribe now for weekly motivation, pep talks, and new ideas for mastering your writing world!

How to Turn Your Inner Critic Into Your Creative Ally
Oh, the dreaded inner critic. Every writer knows exactly what theirs sounds like. It’s the soundtrack to your life, impossible to miss. Your inner critic has the power to stop you in your tracks and hold you stuck for days, months, even years, blocking your creative flow and swirling you
How to Recover from a Writing Setback (Without Giving Up)
It’s not easy to recover from a writing setback. An email pops up. You open it, and yes, it’s a form rejection. Or maybe it’s a bad review of your newly launched book. Dang it. You thought this was the one that would succeed. How you handle this moment could
How to Reclaim Joy in Your Writing Life
Are you experiencing joy in your writing life? What if the way you feel about your writing life right now—whether it feels like an uphill battle or a deep source of joy—wasn’t just the result of your schedule, your discipline, or your latest Amazon ranking? What if it all came
The Writing Identity Crisis Most Writers Don’t Talk About
Are you struggling with a writing identity crisis? Sit with a group of writers long enough and you’ll start to hear certain phrases over and over again. “I wish I were more disciplined.” “I keep getting in my own way.” “I want to write—I really do—but I just can’t seem
Why Writing Advice Fails (and What To Do Instead)
Are you ignoring your mindset type? Imagine this: You walk into your neighborhood gym. Bright lights. Rows of machines. And then he appears—your personal trainer. His name is Chad. “All right,” he says. “Here’s your plan: Wake up at 5:00 a.m., work the treadmill for three miles, no excuses. Don’t
Writing and Loneliness: How to Escape the Isolation Trap
Writing is, by nature, a solitary pursuit. Many of us work hard to carve out time to be alone, prioritizing writing above all else in an effort to find our creative voice. I did that for many years, gradually building a professional life that would support me while also allowing
How to Finish Your Draft—One Tiny Sprint at a Time
If you want to finish your draft, writing more in less time isn’t just a dream—it’s a survival strategy. You may think there’s no way you can find an hour in your day to luxuriate in the creation of your story . . . and on many days, you may
Distraction-Free Writing: Secrets Writers Need to Know
In today’s noisy world, distraction-free writing can feel almost impossible. Have you ever sat down, fully intending to write, only to find yourself—two hours later—deep into a rabbit hole of educational videos, insightful blog posts, brilliant podcasts, and brainstorming sessions? It happens to me more often than I’d like to
5 Ways Fear is Quietly Sabotaging Your Book Marketing
As a writer, you probably want to do everything you can to market your book. So you post about it, run a few ads, and announce when it launches. But after that? Well, it can get confusing. You want to continue marketing, but you may also worry about turning your
Quick Tips to Spring Clean Your Writing Nook
It’s time to spring clean your writing nook! Spring is here, and while many of us will be focused on scrubbing floors and organizing closets, as writers, we also have another version of spring cleaning to tackle. You’ve probably heard that a cluttered writing space—either physical or digital—can stifle creativity
The Value of Practice: Why It Takes More Than You Think to Get Good at Writing
What does it take to get good at writing? I’ve always been surprised by how much practice every skill requires to reach a high level. No matter what I’ve set out to do—whether it was music, writing, speaking, or anything, really—the amount of work it took to improve was always
Why Writing Feels Exhausting (And How to Fix It)
Have you gone through periods where writing feels exhausting? Maybe you wrote a deeply personal essay, tackled a brutal scene, or spent an hour second-guessing every word you typed. You were proud of what you accomplished, but walked away feeling wiped out. Writing is more than just putting words on