How to Stay Productive in a Writing Slump
I go through phases where I write consistently and confidently for a couple of months. I’m full of ideas and have that wonderful feeling of achievement. And then, I start to peter out. Nothing flows and writing seems like a chore. To avoid scrapping a project altogether or feeling guilty for not writing and questioning why I bother at all, I find ways to stay involved in my writing and stay productive through a slump.
Here are some ways to cultivate that fallow ground in between writing spurts and lead you to a renewed sense of purpose in your writing.
Read
Age-old advice for writers, but worth saying over and over. During a slump, read out of your comfort zone. Read narrative nonfiction, essays, poetry, a genre you’re not used to, read short stories. “Read a thousand books, and your words will flow like a river.”― Lisa See, author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.
Gather Ideas
As you read, jot down ideas that come to you. Read through your past notebooks and allow your own ideas and notes to percolate. “We never sit anything out. We are cups, quietly and constantly being filled. The trick is knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.” ― Ray Bradbury, author of Zen in the Art of Writing.
Work on Your Website or Other Platform
We’re told authors should have a social media platform, whether it be a web page, Facebook or an active Instagram account. No matter what type of writer you are, there is a place for you on the internet and there are people who are interested in what you have to say. Now, blogs have even become a part of professional development, helping authors land book deals or allowing freelancers to make money for their skills and services. You never know where your blogging journey could lead you, but it can definitely lead you to big things. Use this downtime to create a platform or to enhance and update what you already have during your writing slump.
Arrange Projects
In my haste or overconfidence that I will remember every essay, short story and novel that I start, I often neglect to file my writing under the proper folder in my drive. This makes it difficult to find and sometimes I forget about a piece altogether! During a slump use your writing time to go through your drive and arrange your files into appropriate folders.
Revise
As you go through your folders, open projects and take a fresh look at old pieces of writing to gain a new perspective on them. As you feel inclined, do some revising. Revising gets the creative juices trickling, preparing for the flow that is sure to come.
Submit
Submitting is a part-time job in itself. Use a slump in writing to write short bios and cover letters. Research journals, magazines and sites you think you want to submit to so you understand their aesthetic and their submission guidelines. Create a spreadsheet (or set up a Duotrope account) of places to submit to so you can keep track of your submissions.
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About Autumn Shah
Autumn Shah is a personal essay and fiction writer. She lives in the burbs with her husband and two daughters. She works as a middle school library aide and is an avid reader of middle grade, YA and adult fiction and nonfiction. You can find her essays in various online literary journals and see what she's currently reading on Goodreads or Instagram