Do you want to write a novel?
Or start a freelance writing business?
Or start writing for magazines?
If you’d like to take any of these writing paths but you can’t seem to get started, let’s take a look at some of the possible reasons for this.
There are so many reasons writers hold back from going after their dreams, and most of them come down to mindset blocks that can be shifted once you know they’re there.
See if any of these reasons apply to you:
1. Fear of Failure
No one likes failing, but the thought of it keeps a lot of writers from even starting.
When we fear that our work won’t measure up, it feels easier to avoid the risk altogether.
2. Perfectionism
This one’s sneaky.
Writers often think they need the perfect idea, setting, or plan before they start.
But here’s the thing: perfectionism is a trap.
Waiting for the “perfect moment” often means never actually moving forward.
3. Self-Doubt
Ah, imposter syndrome – the feeling that you’re not good enough or “real” enough to succeed.
This inner critic can be brutal, making you second-guess yourself before you’ve even started.
4. Overwhelm from Big Goals
When your dreams feel huge and distant, taking action can feel overwhelming.
But that’s the trick; breaking things down into smaller steps makes those big goals achievable.
Too many writers skip this and end up stuck.
5. Procrastination
There’s always something else to do, right?
Sometimes it’s fear, sometimes it’s distractions, but putting off writing is a big obstacle for writers.
This “I’ll start tomorrow” habit often turns into a cycle of delay.
6. Fear of Criticism
Sharing your work means opening yourself up to feedback—and sometimes criticism.
For writers, this can be terrifying.
It feels safer to keep your work to yourself, even if that means missing out on growth.
7. Unclear Goals
If you don’t know exactly what you want or why you’re writing, taking action becomes difficult.
Goals give you direction, and without them, it’s easy to feel aimless.
8. Waiting for Inspiration
Many writers think they need to feel inspired to write.
Waiting for the right “mood” means they’re often waiting a long time.
Spoiler: taking action often brings the inspiration, not the other way around.
9. Comparison to Others
It’s easy to look at other writers and feel like you don’t measure up.
But here’s the problem: this mindset drains your motivation.
Someone else’s success has no bearing on yours.
10. Misconception That Success Should Be Instant
Writing success rarely happens overnight.
If you think success should come fast and easy, it’s easy to feel disheartened and give up before you’ve truly given it a shot.
11. Unresolved Inner Critic
his is the voice in your head that constantly critiques everything you do.
It’s the part of you that says, “Your writing isn’t good enough,” “You’ll never be as good as [insert successful author here],” or “What you wrote is a waste of time.”
The inner critic focuses on judging your work, your abilities, and even your decisions, often before you’ve even put much on the page.
It keeps you stuck in self-doubt, creating a cycle of hesitation because you’re constantly questioning your worth as a writer.
The inner critic zeroes in on the writing itself and your process, making you second-guess every creative choice.
12. Feeling Undeserving of Success
This feeling is deeper and more about self-worth than skill.
It’s the belief that, even if you were successful, you wouldn’t deserve it or wouldn’t know how to handle it.
This often ties into larger feelings about yourself and your place in the world.
You might think, “I’m not the kind of person who deserves success” or “Who am I to try to make a career out of writing?”
It’s not necessarily about your writing quality—it’s about you as a person.
This mindset holds you back from going after your dreams because, deep down, you’re afraid of receiving good things or feel they’re meant for “other people.”
In short, the inner critic is like a loud, persistent editor that nitpicks your writing, while feeling undeserving of success is a more personal belief that tells you success just isn’t meant for you.
Recognizing which one you’re dealing with can help you address the specific mindset holding you back.
Now, before you go, if you haven’t subscribed to The Morning Nudge, be sure to do that now, so you get our Law of Attraction Checklist for Writers and free access to our Private Resource Library for Writers, as well as a short email every weekday morning to help you manifest your writing dreams!
