You’ve had the idea for months, maybe even years. You think about your book while washing the dishes, walking the dog, or standing in the supermarket queue. But when it comes to actually sitting down to write it…suddenly, the house needs cleaning, your inbox needs sorting, and even that odd sock drawer becomes a priority.
If this sounds like you, you’re not lazy, you’re a writer.
“Procrastination is an emotion regulation problem, not a time management problem.”
— Dr. Tim Pychyl, procrastination researcher and professor
Why Do We Do This?
At TAUK Publishing, we work with talented writers every day who feel paralysed by procrastination. Some are established authors. Others are brand new and haven’t written a single word. The thing they all have in common?
Fear.
“Fear of failure. Fear of success. Fear of judgement. All of these can look like procrastination.”
— Steven Pressfield, The War of Art
When you sit down to write, you’re not just putting words on a page, you’re confronting your dreams, your doubts and your deepest stories. That’s not small work. It’s vulnerable. It’s real and it often triggers the brain to say: Let’s not bother.
But here’s the good news: procrastination is not a sign that you’re not meant to be a writer. It’s actually a sign that writing matters deeply to you.
You’re Not Alone
The writers we work with often say, “I’ve had this idea for ten years and not done a thing because…” or “I’ve written the first three chapters, then I panicked, turned the computer off and went to watch Corrie instead.” You’re not broken. You’re in the beginning stages and every writer feels this way.
“The biggest thing separating people from their artistic ambitions is simply the belief that they are allowed to do it.”
— Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic
You might be a writer we haven’t helped publish yet, but that doesn’t mean you’re not one of us. If you’re feeling scared, stuck, or unsure, then welcome. You’re exactly where most authors begin.
What’s Actually Happening in Your Brain?
Dr. Tim Pychyl, a leading expert in procrastination psychology. He explains that we procrastinate to avoid negative feelings, not the task itself. Writing a book can stir up self-doubt, anxiety, or even perfectionism. Our brain is simply trying to protect us and finds relief in avoiding those uncomfortable emotions.
So, we scroll, we make tea, we tell ourselves we’ll start next Pancake Tuesday.
Three Ways to Break the Cycle (That Actually Work)
At TAUK Publishing, we’ve guided hundreds of first-time authors from procrastination to publication. Here are the tactics that work because they’ve worked for them:
1. Start Ugly – Stop waiting for the perfect sentence. Just get anything down.
Pro tip: Set a 10-minute timer and write the ugliest first paragraph you can. Once you start, momentum builds.
2. Talk It Out – Don’t stew in isolation. Book a Book Clinic. Join a writing group. Share your idea with someone who will say, “Yes! Write that!”
Remember: Publishing is not a solo journey and we’re here to walk it with you and hold your hand along the way.
3. Make a One-Hour Book Plan
We created a free 1-hour worksheet that helps you shape your book idea, outline your message, and finally get clear on your next steps.
[Download the “Plan Your Book in One Hour” worksheet here]
For the Writers We Haven’t Published (Yet)
If you are a writer still on the fence, then this blog is for you. Are you the one with a story that wakes you up at night? Or maybe you are the one who wants to hold their book in their hands but hasn’t yet taken that first terrifying step. You’re not behind, you’re just in hiding and hiding is allowed, but only for a while. Not forever.
“If you wait for everything to be perfect before you start, you’ll never start.”
— Joyce Meyer
We want you to know that you are exactly the kind of writer we work with. The hesitant one. The dreamer. The scribbler. The voice that’s still unsure if anyone wants to listen.
We do.
Final Word
Procrastination is common, normal, human and most definitely real, but you can move past it. Whether you write a paragraph today or simply tell someone your idea, it’s all progress.
So when you’re ready to take that next step? We’ll be right here, cheering you on.
Want help breaking the cycle?
Email us at hello@taukpublishing.co.uk or book a Book Clinic with TAUK Publishing.
We’re not just here to publish books; we’re here to start them with you.
