New Homepage - 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!

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
The Sneaky Ways Writers Self-Sabotage (And How to Stop)
Writers self-sabotage at times…do you? You sit down at your desk, fingers hovering over the keyboard. You intended to write, but something is stopping you. Maybe it’s the nagging feeling that your story isn’t good enough. Or you feel the urge to check social media “just for a minute.” Self-sabotage
5 Sneaky Mistakes Destroying Your Writing Focus (Fix Them Fast!)
Writing focus—why is it so hard to maintain? You sit down to write, determined to finally make progress on your project. The words will flow this time, you tell yourself. But before you know it, you’ve checked your email, responded to a message, scrolled social media, and now you’re standing
No Motivation? Here’s How to Keep Writing Regardless
You want to keep writing, but sometimes, when it’s time to pull out your laptop, you find yourself suddenly reorganizing your bookshelves, deep-cleaning your kitchen, or staring blankly at the ceiling. Anything else seems far more appealing. Maybe you’re tired. Perhaps you’ve convinced yourself that watching just one more episode
Was My BookBub Featured Deal Worth It? See My Results!
I was recently selected for a BookBub Featured Deal, but there was a catch—it wasn’t for the U.S. market. My deal was only for international readers. If you’re familiar with BookBub, you know how coveted these promotions are. They can skyrocket book sales and visibility overnight. But since my deal
How to Overcome the Fear That Your Writing Isn’t Good Enough
Do you fear your writing isn’t good enough? Writing fear is like the monster under the bed—except it lives under your writing desk, emerging to breathe down your neck every time you type a sentence. It growls things like, “Who do you think you are? A real writer? Ha!” and
Writers’ Wellness: How to Embrace Boundaries Without Guilt
Do you struggle to set boundaries without guilt? Dr. Stucki has some great insights into this issue, along with tips to help you better protect your writing time. by Dr. Bradford Stucki Last Tuesday, I stared at my phone, my thumb hovering over the “send” button. The message read: “I’m
5 Mistakes I Made When Starting My Blog
When starting my blog, I made several mistakes. It wasn’t this one. It was another one called “Whooz Voice.” Yeah, I used the weird spelling because I couldn’t get the real spelling as a domain name! Anyway, the blog was similar to this one in that it focused on finding
5 Simple Wellness Hacks to Instantly Boost Your Writing in 2025
Want some writing wellness hacks for the New Year? You know how it is juggling creative demands, writing deadlines, and long hours at the computer. It takes a toll on our physical, mental, and emotional health. Improving your routine doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Below are five practical
How Can Better Sleep Boost Your Creativity as a Writer?
Most writers are looking for better sleep. Try these tips from Dr. Henderson to help rest your body and mind more often! by Dr. William Henderson Ever noticed how your best ideas often come at the least convenient times? Late at night, when the house is quiet, your mind suddenly
9 Writing Quotes to End the Year on a Good Note
Welcome to the Writing and Wellness annual “writing quotes” round-up! Below you’ll find the best quotes from the authors featured on the site this year. It’s hard to believe, but this is the tenth year I’ve put these together. They’ve all been popular posts and I love how they capture
5 Valuable Writing Tools That Helped Me Succeed This Year
As a writer, I’ve learned that having the right writing tools can make a huge difference in your productivity and creativity. In fact, I’d say if you’re not using at least some tools, you’re making it hard on yourself! This year, I’ve used five resources that simplified my process, made