It's funny; you are aware of the fact you absolutely love writing, and you even want to become a writer full time, and it's like your brain instantly feels the need to sabotage you.
"So, you want to be a writer? Cool! You won't be needing these, right?" the brain asks, pointing out a big pile of incredibly detailed ideas you have managed to gather throughout the years.
"Uhm, yeah," you reply as if it were kind of obvious, "I've actually just come up with a great way to turn them into incredible stories".
"Oh, look at that! They are ALL gone. You should have said something before!".
Real transcript of a conversation I had with my brain a couple of days ago.
But seriously, if you started to feel like you got it and then your mind instantly went blank, for what it seemed to be weeks and weeks with no end, I feel you. I understand what you are going through and people even have a fancy name for it.
The writing slump.
The writing slump is not the same as a block, in case you are wondering. A writer’s block means you can’t write and aren’t writing, and let's be honest; you are probably making up lame excuses for not sitting your ass in front of your notebook or computer. But a writing slump means you are struggling to put down the sentences next to another, you want to write but it isn't coming out as natural as it should, or you just don’t enjoy as much as you used to.
And I'm here to say; it's 100% overcomeable. (Is that even a word? Because if it isn't, it definitely should)
I can absolutely tell when I’m in a slump because I’m talking about writing way more than I'm doing the actual writing. A significant flow of ideas invade me, but it instantly turns into frustration the second I sit to write them down.
But yesterday, the unthinkable happened. I got over it!
That's right, I woke up eager to work on my manuscript, and I even got a few short stories out. Hell, I'm also writing a new post for Steemit. Do you see what I'm talking about? Well, I'm not exactly sure how it happened and if any of these tips will work for you, but they definitely worked for me.
AUDIOBOOKS
Seriously. Try them. When I'm short of ideas, or I lack the will to write; reading is one of those things that just sparkles up my mind. But if you are anything like me, and can't even pick up a book without feeling the need to write one yourself, then audiobooks are right for you. You can do a bunch of stuff while listening to them, like painting or cleaning, even working out, and it will get you going. Trust me.
GET BACK INTO AN OLD HOBBY
It had been a while since the last time I embroidered something but a couple of days ago I went back at it, since writing wasn't an option anymore, and it instantly flooded me with ideas.
It can be painting, cooking, playing an instrument, anything that works for you; the fact that you are freeing your mind and doing something relaxing will help your brain flow go more efficiently, and before you know it, you'll be back on your tracks.
WATCH A MOVIE OR A TV SHOW RELATED TO YOUR STORY
You probably could have figured that one on your own but this one, in particular, was a surprise for me. I write mostly fantasy/horror stories and yesterday I watched a movie that instantly gave me a bunch of great ideas to work on and it even triggered me to write a new character. So, the next time you are struggling to get the words out, just Netflix it out.
Being a writer, it can be both a blessing and a curse, especially if you are a perfectionist like me and you hate having no control over your creativity.
Well, if that's the case for you, and you feel like you are stuck, just keep in mind it won't last long, and before you knew it, you'll be back creating your worlds again. Just keep on writing!