Embracing the Writing Journey

How Perfectionism is a Creativity Blocker

Mar 27, 2025

If there is one thing I have found in common with most other writers, it is procrastination. It’s not that you don’t want to write. It’s not that you don’t have the stories in your head (or on slips of paper around the house, notes on your phone, and various half-used notebooks strewn around your bedroom). It’s that starting is hard.

Maybe you’ve been working on your family history for a long time and often thought, “That would make a fantastic book (movie, television show), but then… nothing. Well, not nothing. Then, a whole lot of something gets in the way.

What if you don’t do a good job?

What if you’re the only one who thinks it's a fantastic idea for a book (movie, television show)?

WHAT IF YOU AREN’T DOING IT RIGHT?

After that, after your mind races and all the What Ifs take over, nothing comes into play.

In a word, perfectionism gets in the way, and if there is one that is the opposite of writing – it’s perfectionism.

Taking your research and deciding it is time to use it to become a writer can be both exhilarating and intimidating. Still, with the right mindset and strategies, you can turn your passion for writing into an exciting journey.

Here are some ways to help you move from building a family tree to becoming a writer, author, or novelist:

Step One: Getting Started

Find Your Inspiration: Begin by reading widely across genres. Pay attention to what engages you—the style, plot, or character development. This can help spark ideas for your own writing. It's important to see what is out there (book, film, tv show) when taking the lives of historical people, be they our ancestors or not, and plopping them into a creative narrative. Not to copy it, not because you want to “follow trends,” but because knowing someone else has conquered this writing beast before can help you find your footing.

Set Goals: Define what you want to achieve. Is it writing a short story or a novel, maintaining a blog, or writing a script? Having clear goals helps guide your efforts. Each writing style has different rules, so understanding where you want to end up will allow you to better plan how you draft, plot, and write.

Create a Routine: Establish a regular writing schedule. Consistency is key to developing your craft even if it's just 15 minutes a day. Turn off your phone or write in a notebook – completely block that time for you. Don’t even schedule a dental cleaning or a doctor's appointment during that time – make it sacred.

Experiment with Different Styles: Try your hand at various forms of writing. Write a poem about your ancestors, or have your ancestors write a poem about their lives. Start a short story that embraces creative nonfiction, but then throw caution to the wind and flip it to historical fiction. The only way to discover what feels most natural is to give it a shot.

Step Two: Overcoming Challenges and Staying Motivated

Join a Writing Community: Challenges and blocks are inevitable. There is power in embracing that. Then, when you have writer's block, or you're not sure what to write next – it’s not crippling; it’s part of the process. Connect with fellow writers through online forums or local writing groups. Sharing experiences and receiving feedback can be incredibly motivating and help you through those hard times.

Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge each milestone, no matter how small. Did you write for twenty minutes instead of five? CELEBRATE IT! Don’t only wait for big wins (whatever that looks like to you). Celebrating as you go helps to maintain momentum and reinforces your commitment to your craft.

Learn to Handle Criticism: Not everyone will love your work, and that's okay. Sometimes, people will still love your work but give you notes – that’s okay, too. Learn to use constructive feedback as an opportunity to grow and improve. However, it is also important to learn that not every opinion is a note.

Stay Inspired: Keep a journal of ideas, observations, and insights. This can be a rich source of inspiration when you're feeling stuck. Research the social history around the time period your ancestor lived or read books and newspapers to keep you in the right mindset.

Step Three: Persevering Through Challenges

Be Patient: Writing is a skill that develops over time. Don't be discouraged if your early drafts aren't perfect. Honestly, lean into a not-perfect first draft. When you try to make your first draft “perfect,” you’re really stifling your creativity. Write from a place filled with wonder and awe – fix it in your edits.

Stay Curious: Continuously seek out new knowledge and techniques. Attend workshops, read books on writing, and explore different genres. Check out your local historical or genealogy society to see their classes. Do any of them coincide with your work? Remember to keep asking questions and to learn more.

Make It Fun: Writing when it feels forced is the worst place to write from. Remember why you started writing in the first place. Enjoy the process, don't lose sight of the joy it brings you, and take breaks. Take a day off if you feel like the fun has left the writing.

Set Realistic Expectations: Focus on the journey and celebrate each step forward. Understand that success rarely happens overnight. Concentrate on your goals, and don’t give up. All good things come with time.

Taking your research and deciding it is time to transform it into a story while you become a writer is not just about putting words on paper; it's about embracing a journey of creativity, growth, and self-expression. It is also about understanding the message you want to share with the world and that, when stifled with perfectionism, it will be a hard task to do.

You can turn your dreams into reality with persistence, passion, and support.

Share Your Thoughts!

What inspired you to want to write historical fiction or creative nonfiction? How do you stay motivated? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below! Let's build a supportive community of writers who inspire and uplift each other.

Embracing the Writing Journey

How Perfectionism is a Creativity Blocker

Step One: Getting Started

Step Two: Overcoming Challenges and Staying Motivated

Step Three: Persevering Through Challenges

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