You write day after day. You dream of bestseller’s lists and royalty checks. But despite your best marketing efforts, those dreams remain out of reach.

You start to wonder if you’re wasting your time. Does your writing even matter?

Yes, it’s tough out there, and you have a right to feel the way you do.

Society’s focus on money and fame doesn’t make it any easier. If you’re not producing results in the form of royalties and recognition, others may discount the value of your creations, making it difficult to get the support you need to keep going.

Everything changes once you make “the decision.”

In Your Writing Matters, author Colleen M. Story — a long-time professional writer and writing coach — will help you discover whether you truly have a writer’s DNA. She examines:

• The scientific evidence behind the pressure you feel to make money with your work
• The reasons why fame and notoriety are so attractive and discouraging
• The myth of the most talented writers
• Why book marketing can seem so exhausting
• Why you feel you have to justify the time you spend writing

Step by step, you’ll gain a clear-eyed look at the challenges a writer faces in the outside world. You’ll also learn:

• What hidden benefits writing may have in your life
• Whether writing is part of your life’s purpose
• When it’s best to leave writing behind

Every writer, somewhere along the way, grapples with the question of whether to continue on the writing journey. Don’t waste your precious time in indecision. Let Your Writing Matters guide you to your truth and you’ll never look back again.

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What Readers are Saying

‘Your Writing Matters’ by Colleen M. Story is my companion as I work on a new manuscript. I’m faced with doubt most days, but reading a few pages of ‘Your Writing Matters’ helps me settle in and remember why I write. It’s not for fame and fortune, although both would be lovely, but to know myself, dive deeply into my subject (Monarch Butterfly Conservation), and teach others how to enjoy this endangered species while helping them survive. Colleen Story’s book also reminds me that writing calms me when I’m agitated about the struggles of life and the isolation and challenges of pandemic times. After surviving my husband’s illness and death over a decade ago, I know without a doubt that writing helps with grief.

I encourage you to get a copy of this book if you’re writing or want to write and enjoy a daily conversation with a supportive friend who cheers for your success, shares excellent tips, and helps you find the deepest value in your passion to write. Thank you, Colleen, for encouraging me and never allowing doubt to win.

~ Elaine Mansfield, Tedx speaker and author of ‘Leaning into Love: A Spiritual Journey through Grief’

“In Your Writing Matters: How to Banish Self-Doubt, Trust Yourself, and Go the Distance, author Colleen M. Story discusses the topic of why people choose to be writers. She tackles the issues most new or potential writers face—should I even bother doing this? Do I have what it takes to be a writer? Will I reach my writing goals and dreams? Story recognizes that money and fame are two motivations for writing, but says writers should move beyond those incentives. She also acknowledges that other people may minimize the value of your writing because, in their eyes, you’re not ‘really a writer’ if you’re not what they view as successful. Their lack of understanding and encouragement may make new writers doubt themselves. Finally, Story writes about the lesser-known and lesser-understood benefits of being a writer, whatever your skill and ‘success’ level. Story is both a writing coach and a professional writer herself.

Your Writing Matters is not another ‘Do you have what it takes to be a writer?’ book. It’s more a ‘You do have what it takes to be a writer’ book. Author Colleen Story encourages writers and potential writers every step of the way. I wish I’d been able to read this book when I was a beginning writer 40 years ago. It would have helped me vanquish my self-doubts, ignore naysayers, and encouraged me to develop the craft of writing. A valuable part of the book is a ‘quiz’ that examines how readers feel about writing, e.g., ‘should [I] be doing something else with my time and talents?’ The aptly named Story helps writers crystalize the reasons why they’re writing. (Samuel Johnson, who reportedly said, “No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money” was wrong. If you didn’t know that before reading this book you surely will afterward.) Story writes about the elusiveness of earning money or fame by writing. Rather, influencing others is a more realistic and attainable goal. I don’t know if Story has any psychological training, but she possesses keen insight into people’s minds, especially into writers’ thinking. I recommend this book to all writers, experienced, new, and wannabe.”

~Joe Wisinski for Readers’ Favorite

“I don’t know a single author who hasn’t experienced some form of doubt concerning the craft of writing. Whether a first-time author or you have dozens of books under your belt, worries and concerns creep into your brain from time to time. Your Writing Matters helps to quiet those doubts and encourages and inspires you to overcome any author challenges, or it may give you “permission” so-to-speak to realize the dream of authorship isn’t for you.

I enjoyed perusing the benefits of writing listed in chapter 12. And the strongest impacts on me were the questions in the ‘Dig Deeper Into Your Psyche’ and the ‘Your World Without Writing’ sections.

Overall, I found this book thought-provoking, helpful, and remarkably reassuring. If you’re a writer or have wondered if writing would be an artistic avenue you’d like to journey on, this book might boost your confidence and dispel most doubts that have probably held you back from progressing forward in the writing craft.”

~Cheryl, Hart Fiction (BookBub)

A friendly, encouraging companion for writers

“This inspiring book helps writers confront one of the greatest challenges they will encounter, self-doubt, and offers lots of thoughtful advice on addressing this doubt, thinking through the benefits that writing can offer despite the challenges, and deciding whether or not to keep going. The book’s friendly, supportive voice–and its insights from a range of authors–will help writers feel less alone with their struggles. Also, it includes lots of engaging activities and self-questioning prompts, which encourage the kind of reflection that can help writers figure out next steps and break free of negative thought spirals. ”

~Small Press Picks, Amazon

“Great book! It really felt like Colleen was speaking directly to me as the book addressed all of the concerns I have about becoming a writer. I would highly recommend that anyone looking to start writing as a career read this book 🙂”

~Caitlyn Loggins, Goodreads

“…Where the book was most stellar for me was in helping me get over the fact that fame and fortune are NOT a part of my life as a writer. Colleen helped me see that modern culture plays a part in my need for fame and that the realities of publishing impact my financial fortunes.

….As for me, I love to write and I’m going to keep at. No more twisting and torturing for me. I thank Colleen for teaching me this important lesson.”

~Lorie Kleiner Eckert, Bookbub