The Creative Penn Podcast for Writers

Episode 829: Overcoming Procrastination with Colleen M. Story
Host: Joanna Penn
Guest: Colleen M. Story, author of “Escape the Writer’s Untangle Your Procrastination Type”
Date: September 22, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Joanna Penn welcomes writer and motivational coach Colleen M. Story to explore the multifaceted challenge of procrastination for writers. Together, they discuss not just what procrastination is, but the various forms it takes, how to identify your personal procrastination style, and actionable strategies for overcoming it—whether in writing craft, creative business, or author marketing. The conversation blends practical insight, empathetic encouragement, and deep understanding of the creative mind.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Getting to Know Colleen M. Story

(Timestamp: 27:01–29:41)

• Colleen shares her untraditional journey into writing, starting as a music graduate before falling into writing “almost accidentally.”
• She began with short stories, transitioned to copywriting, and evolved into a hybrid author of fiction and nonfiction.
• Quote:

  “I wasn’t one of those people who knew from the cradle I wanted to be a writer... Music came first for me, but then I got bit by the writing bug. It just kind of happened.” — Colleen (27:07)

• Colleen’s entrance into nonfiction—particularly books for writers—was driven by recognizing gaps in productivity and mindset that writers were struggling with in her community.

2. Why Focus on Procrastination?

(Timestamp: 31:19–34:03)

• Colleen didn’t consider herself a procrastinator until deep-diving into the diverse forms of procrastination.
• Recurring surveys showed that productivity and procrastination were writers’ most common pain points.
• Procrastination isn’t always obvious avoidance—it often manifests subtly, especially around emotionally uncomfortable tasks (e.g., submitting work, marketing).
• Quote:

  "At its core, procrastination is always an emotional coping technique. It is a way to protect us from uncomfortable emotions." — Colleen (34:12)

3. Surprising Forms of Procrastination

(Timestamp: 34:12–38:08)

• Procrastination isn’t just wasting time on social media—it can be endlessly tweaking cover letters or avoiding submissions out of fear of rejection.
• Joanna reflects on her own early “productive” procrastination (attending courses, taking notes, but not actually writing her book).
• Memorable moment:

  “I was going on courses, taking a lot of notes, but I was never writing my own work as such... I wanted you to tell me more stuff so I could avoid writing!” — Joanna (38:09)

4. Routes Out of Procrastination: Awareness & Small Steps

(Timestamp: 38:20–43:21)

• The first step is honest self-awareness about avoidance behaviors.
• Recognize when “research” or “thinking” is actually avoidance.
• Break big tasks into the smallest possible next action—especially using the “five-minute rule”:
  • “Sit down and do something for five minutes. That can apply to writing, or even dreaded marketing tasks.” — Colleen (41:51)
• Procrastination often protects your current identity (e.g., “aspiring writer” vs. “published author”); progress means becoming someone new.

5. Types of Procrastination and Personalized Approaches

(Timestamp: 43:21–54:50)

• Self-understanding is key: Identify your personal procrastination style to tailor solutions.

a. The Overthinker

• Gets stuck thinking rather than doing.
• “Doing is a far better teacher than thinking.”

b. The Distracted Type

• Has a brain that seeks novelty, is easily pulled toward distractions.
• Solution: Schedule distractions as planned breaks (trade 10 minutes distraction for 20 minutes focus).

c. The Guilty Type

• Carries guilt for both writing and not writing.
• Quote:

  “It’s like we’re guilty when we’re writing and guilty when we’re not writing... You have to always allow yourself to start fresh.” — Colleen (46:53)

• Writers must recognize the importance of their creative dreams and not minimize them out of guilt or people-pleasing.

d. The Perfectionist

• Endlessly tweaks one project fearing failure; believes their first book must be perfect.
• Quote:

  “Perfectionism really at its core is a huge fear of failure.” — Colleen (54:50)

• Encouraged to set time limits, release projects, and embrace new ones.

6. The Emotional & Psychological Journey

(Timestamp: 52:07–54:42)

• The ongoing creative calling is likened to nurturing an inner child; we would never tell a six-year-old to “do accounting instead of writing stories.”
• Regular writing is beneficial for brain development, empathy, and personal resilience.
• Quote:

  “If we squash down that creative self, it can almost feel like that growth is stunted somehow.” — Joanna (53:10)

7. Advice on Author Business & Marketing Procrastination

(Timestamp: 63:21–68:23)

• Many creative writers resist marketing or business tasks, procrastinating just as they might with craft.
• Colleen’s approach: Experiment, be willing to risk “failure,” and learn through doing—not just study.
• Adapt your marketing to your strengths and interests (e.g., podcasts, YouTube, blogging).
• Quote:

  “Marketing is just about trying to introduce our work to more people... so what are my natural strengths and how can I apply those?” — Colleen (65:27)

• Memorable moment:

  “I had a TikTok account for about six hours and just hated it!” — Joanna (67:47)

• Find what suits you; don’t chase every new platform if it's not your medium.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On procrastination as protection:

  “It is usually very subtle and devious... Even very productive writers can end up procrastinating on things that bring up uncomfortable emotions.” — Colleen (34:12)

• On guilt and creativity:

  “If you have a dream to write, there’s usually a deeper reason for it than just wanting to write a book... Don’t allow anyone to take that time away from you.” — Colleen (49:52)

• On moving beyond perfectionism:

  “Doing is so much better than thinking. The important thing is to get [your book] out and give yourself time for the books that will come afterwards.” — Colleen (61:41)

• On creative growth:

  “You just need to clear that first blockage out the way and then that pipe just keeps flowing—the ideas keep flowing—but you need to unblock it with that first book.” — Joanna (59:27)

Key Takeaways & Actionable Strategies

• Procrastination takes many forms: It's not only about being lazy—it's driven by emotion and identity, with types like Overthinker, Guilty, Distracted, and Perfectionist.
• Self-understanding is foundational: Learn your procrastination style to find effective solutions.
• Fight guilt and perfectionism: Recognize the value of your creative dreams and embrace imperfection as part of growth.
• Five-minute rule: Commit to working on a task for at least five minutes—momentum often follows.
• Experiment with business and marketing: Play to your strengths, try new things with low pressure, and don’t force yourself onto platforms that don’t fit.

Additional Resources and Where to Find Colleen

• Procrastination-style quiz and more: masterwritermindset.com
• Author site: colleenmstory.com
• YouTube: Colleen M. Storyteller

“My motivational site is masterwritermindset.com. My author site is just my name. And yes, that is my real name!” — Colleen (70:28)

For Further Discussion & Connection

• Joanna encourages listeners to reflect on their own procrastination habits, share their stories, or ask questions:
  • Email: joannathecreativepenn.com
  • Comments: thecreativepenn.com podcast show notes

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [27:07] Colleen’s origin story
• [31:56] Why a whole book on procrastination?
• [34:03] Less obvious forms of procrastination
• [38:08] Timed writing exercise to break through avoidance
• [46:53] Guilt as a writer’s obstacle
• [54:50] Perfectionism and its root in fear of failure
• [63:49] Business-side procrastination and finding your marketing strengths
• [70:28] Where to find Colleen online

Summary

This episode blends compassion, practical wisdom, and real-world strategy for understanding and tackling procrastination at every stage of the writing journey. No matter your writing age, if you’ve felt stuck, overwhelmed, or guilty, Colleen and Joanna provide the tools and encouragement to step forward—one small, self-aware action at a time.