Sometimes, writing doesn’t come easy. For example, I realized a while back that I was in a slump, and I just couldn’t muster the energy to write. I thought, “Is there something wrong with my writing?” “Am I doing this wrong?” It took a toll. But then I realized that I could use this slump to my advantage.

I stuck as best I could to my writing routine without overwhelming myself, but I also reexamined the pressure I had placed myself under. And I realized being in a slump isn’t a bad thing.

If you’re stuck with your writing, read on to understand what causes a “slump” and how you can transform it into an opportunity!

 

Stop to Think about Your Slump

Before you let the frustration take over, ask yourself WHY you might be in a slump. Here are some questions to ask:

 

  1. Are you too overwhelmed/focused on other things to continue writing?
  2. Could you be a difficult or tedious part of your story?
  3. Having trouble figuring out the next step in your plot?
  4. Do you need to take a break and decompress?

 

For me, it was number two. You know how you struggle for a week figuring out how a character says something or how they might walk down a hallway? It was like that for me. I just couldn’t think of how to write, and I got stuck.

However, I realized that 1) it didn’t have to be perfect right away. I could write something down and then edit it later, and 2) there are plenty of other things to work on and worry about! No one says I needed to continue wallowing in this slump. I could move on.

So when you get into this rut, stop and take a moment to figure out why. Adjust yourself based on what’s bothering you. For example, if you need to take a break and relax, do it! If you’re at a part of your story that’s tedious to write, outline everything, then come back to it when you feel like it! There’s no set path to writing. Sometimes you need to add a couple of extra, unexpected steps to keep yourself steady.

 

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Write Something Else

If you still have a creative itch, take a break from the project that’s bugging you and work on some other writing. I, for one, like to work on multiple projects at once to keep myself focused on writing without getting frustrated on one writing piece. Sometimes, I work on a longer work, but then I’ll switch to a short story, a poem, or anything else that requires writing.

You don’t have to copy me, though. Every writer feels fulfilled by different things. You might not even write novels or short stories! But no matter what, if you’re stuck, shift your attention to something else you could write. This keeps your brain focused on writing, but you let go of all the frustration. Additionally, writing involves much more than putting words on a page. If you’re stuck, try:

 

  1. Brainstorming new ideas
  2. Outlining your next scene (maybe even skip ahead and start writing that!)
  3. Editing something you wrote earlier
  4. Crafting new and fun worldbuilding details, like a character personality sheet or a world map

 

Focusing on something new pulls you away from the stress and anxiety that comes with a slump. On top of that, these obstacles won’t stand in your way forever. Keep writing in a meaningful way. However, if you don’t feel like writing…

 

Catch Up on A Hobby, Another Task, Etc.

Sometimes writers need breaks from writing. It’s like any other profession. There’s nothing wrong with stopping and taking a break to do something else. Just make sure it’s something you enjoy.

If you have nothing else to do, but you can’t write, do something else creative. Maybe work on a hobby you neglected or get outside for some fresh air. Take your mind off your writing troubles, take a deep breath, and then get back into the game when you’re ready.

Additionally, you might live in a writing slump right now because inspiration seems too far gone. But here’s the thing: writers take inspiration from everywhere. If you need to walk away for a moment, good! Start looking around for inspiration. It could be the way the birds chirp outside, how a school bus just drove past your house, or a cool article you start reading. Any of these seemingly insignificant things can be the starting point for a new story or poem idea. And when your creative juices start flowing on another project, it becomes much easier to get rid of your slump and keep going.

You likely won’t get rid of your writing slump overnight. Just know that this happens to every writer and that it doesn’t last forever. Even the most experienced writers feel blocked, unable to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).

Instead, think of your slump as an opportunity for your mind to decompress. The writing will come, but you don’t need a solution right this second. Take the time to bolster and rejuvenate your creativity by redirecting your thoughts. After clearing your head, you’ll find that the slump isn’t as formidable as you thought.

 

 

E.S. Foster is a fiction writer and graduate student at the University of Cambridge, St. Edmund’s. She is also the creator of the Foster Your Writing blog. Her work has appeared in over twenty literary journals, including Aurora Journal, Sour Cherry Mag, and Paragraph Planet. Her chapbooks have been published by Yavanika Press (2022) and Ghost City Press (2023). You can find more of her articles here.