After deciding to become an author, I was frustrated by how hard it was to make things happen. I knew I could learn to do anything if I worked hard enough—how to structure a novel, to write effective sentences, to publish on Amazon, and to market myself. And I did teach myself to do all those things. While I was proud of what I achieved, I still felt like I was not writing to my full potential. More than that, I wasn't doing enough to sell the books I worked so hard to write. So I tried all the courses and the methods. I read all the articles and listened to all the podcasts about writing fiction, self-publishing, and book marketing. I could not get any momentum going, and I felt hopeless about my future as an author. Worst of all, I was the founder of an online writing group, attempting to lead a group of writers to their dreams, and I couldn't walk the talk. I felt like a fraud. The REAL reason writers fail It wasn't just me. The same issues surfaced again and again for the members in the Writer's Mastermind group. They were frustrated with themselves for not being able to quite get it together. They couldn't build momentum with their email lists or social media. Book rankings and sales made them wonder why they bothered to publish books at all. I knew the problem very well because I was living it. All the practical tools in the world did not help me make progress. I watched myself and other writers struggling to fulfill their dreams, I had to face an uncomfortable truth. The problem was not family, not the job, not "I'm too busy," "too tired," "too introverted," or "not talented enough." When I was honest with myself, and audited my habits objectively, I observed that somehow I had time for scrolling Instagram, binging streaming series, folding laundry, and other people's problems. Really … I could make time for writing and promoting if I wanted to. But I didn't. Deep inside, part of me wanted to stay safe and hide, to not give it my all, because if I failed, I would get confirmation that I sucked. There was also another voice, one that would not leave me alone, that said:
If you feel compelled to write, you need to follow that urge or you will die!!!! Ok, not that serious, but a huge part of me would die, and it might be the most important part. This cognitive dissonance made me depressed and frustrated. How could I be doing all the right things, yet going nowhere? It was a disease, one hidden beneath the logical brain, in the unconscious. Arming myself with information patched things temporarily. It only eased the symptoms. It didn't actually help because: - All the classes in the world will not help if you don't act on the information.
- All the marketing strategies cannot sell your books if you shrink from being seen.
- All the accountability measures you put in place won't help you write more or better if you have doubts about why you're writing or if it is any good.
The disease is mindset. Yeah, I know mindset is a buzzword for personal development and entrepreneurs. But creatives, like fiction writers, need to cultivate a mindset as much as anyone, if not more. Being a creative means having to believe in yourself on a deeper level. You have to expose yourself to create art that moves people. You have to be willing to be seen in ways that most people will never be brave enough to share. How to shift your mindset Why are you fawning instead of fighting for what you want? Why are you shrinking instead of shining? Why do you prioritize things that do not bring you closer to your goals? Do a personal audit You have to look at your habits objectively, mercilessly face what you're protecting yourself from, and arm yourself with the practical tools as well as optimize your daily world to give yourself the best chance to write to your full potential. It might be some of the most difficult work you'll ever do. But you'll not only become a better, more prolific writer, you'll also grow as a person. Dive into inner work. Investigate who you are and why you are that way. Be curious. Try everything. Books, affirmations, meditation, visualization, therapy, NLP, EFT, shadow work, journaling, peer support groups—do whatever it takes to dig deep and discover why you're not following through. Reorient to your true direction Once you analyze what you've been doing and why, it's time to articulate what you really need to be doing. Becoming a writer means devoting time and energy to something that doesn't pay off in the ways that a job or business does. You won't see a regular paycheck, a 401K, or medical insurance. People don't take writing seriously unless you're already a huge name. You need a reason that transcends the approval and validation of others and goes beyond material rewards or praise and status. What is the real impetus behind your writing? Embody it. Own it. If you don't take yourself seriously, no one will. Use tools like the Writer Archetype Quiz to gain deep insight into what drives you and how to use your gifts to your advantage. Choose your companions wisely Lastly, ask yourself, who do you spend the most time with? Not just the real people in your life— who are you surrounded by on the internet, TV, and social media? Sure, we all need to indulge in pure entertainment once in a while, but how much of what you are consuming is enriching you in some way? Follow authors who have what you want. Analyze what they are doing and how they are doing it. Join a writing group that includes other writers who can mentor you. Read the kind of stories you want to write. Learn about the people you admire. Reduce the time you spend with the crowd that diminishes your energy. Choose people, places, and things that inspire you. Catalyze Your Writing It's not selfish to invest in yourself and your passion. Playing small and going with the status quo will make you depressed and resentful. Living in your truth as a creative will make you expansive and magnetic. Ultimately, your happiness and self-realization will enrich the lives of those around you. Ready to stop playing small? Join the free Write Catalyst beta.
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