Four Types of Writing Slump and How to Handle Each

Different problems hidden inside the word "slump"

When someone says "I'm in a slump," they are really pointing at several different conditions at once. Having nothing to write and being physically worn out are completely different problems, and treating both the same way (forcing yourself to sit and write) makes things worse.

Look at the four types below and start with the one closest to your current state. If several overlap, check your physical energy first, because when your body is tired every other problem feels bigger.

Type 1. You're out of ideas

Symptoms: your mind goes blank when you sit down. You can't picture the next scene. Even while writing, you stop to wonder whether it's right.

This is often a shortage of input. Writing is output, and if nothing new is going in, nothing comes out.

• Try an activity where your hands are busy but your mind is free, such as a walk, a shower or washing dishes
• Watch or read something from a completely different genre, a documentary, or visit an exhibition
• Ask your character questions. Answer specific ones in a line each, like "What is this character most afraid of right now?"
• Write an easy scene first, such as the ending or your favorite scene

Type 2. You're physically exhausted

Symptoms: your eyes close when you sit at the desk. Your shoulders and wrists hurt. You don't feel refreshed after sleeping. This is common as deadlines approach.

Here the fix is rest. It is not weak willpower, it is a signal from your body. Rest completely for a day or two and bring your sleep and meals back to normal first. If pain continues or gets worse, see a medical professional.

Type 3. Your motivation has disappeared

Symptoms: you don't know why you're writing this work. Reader response has dropped. Other writers seem to be doing well while you feel stuck in place.

Motivation holds up when goals and rewards are connected. In a long serial the reward is so far away that this connection weakens easily.

1. Reread the notes you made when you first conceived the work, or its first chapter
2. Set one small goal for this week and give yourself a small reward when you reach it
3. Try working in a place where other people are writing too (an online studio, a critique group, etc.)
4. Finish a short piece that isn't part of the serial to regain the experience of finishing something

Type 4. Your confidence has dropped

Symptoms: everything you wrote yesterday looks terrible. You write and delete over and over. You're afraid to show it to anyone.

It is natural to lose confidence when you look at a draft through an editor's eyes. Drafting and revising are done wearing different hats. While drafting, decide that your job is to write work that isn't polished.

It also helps to keep a separate collection of praise and encouraging comments. A record you can pull out and read on a hard day turns out to be a surprisingly big help.

The minimum work to keep going, whatever the type

If you let go completely during a slump, coming back takes a long time. Even setting a timer for just 15 minutes and writing anything, or only rereading yesterday's pages of what you've been writing, is fine. The goal is not volume but not cutting your connection to the work.

Try it yourself: which type is my slump right now?

FAQ: Should I keep publishing during a slump? If you have a buffer, a short hiatus to recover is better in the long run. If you don't, first consider temporarily lowering the length or polish standard for this episode.

1. Think about the past week and mark whichever of the four types (ideas, energy, motivation, confidence) is closest.
2. If energy applies, check your sleep and meals before anything else.
3. From that type's remedies, pick just one you can do today.
4. Three days later, write one line on whether things have changed. If not, try a remedy from another type.