Whether you’re drafting a novel, revising a memoir, or just trying to keep momentum going in your creative practice, writing slumps happen.
You sit down to write… and nothing comes.
You start avoiding the page, wondering if you’re cut out for this at all.
If that sounds familiar, this episode is here to remind you:
Writing slumps are normal. They don’t mean your story isn’t worthwhile or that you lack talent. They mean you’re human, and that your creative well might need refilling.
In this episode, I’ll show you how to move through a writing slump with curiosity and compassion, not judgment or pressure.
You’ll discover:
✅ The reasons behind writing slumps
✅ How to reboot your creative momentum with tiny, doable commitments
✅ Why changing your environment can ignite fresh ideas and ease stuck thinking
✅ Simple ways to reconnect to your writing and fall back in love with your story
If you’re stuck right now, or afraid you’ll never finish your draft, this episode is for you.
Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
Episode at a glance:
[04:04] Identify The Source
Writing slumps are a natural part of the creative cycle. So replace guilt or shame with curiosity. What’s really going on here? Is it burnout? Fear? Confusion? Overwhelm? Or is it simply exhaustion? You want to identify the source. Not all slumps are the same, so identify what’s driving yours.
[06:18] Do A Gentle Reboot
Even as you struggle to complete your book, you can still manage to work on it consistently. That could mean you write only 10 or 20 minutes at a time, and only on weekends. The idea is to make small, low-stakes commitments. You’re still showing up. That’s a win.
[08:03] Change Location
If you’ve been sitting at the same desk, staring at the same screen while stuck or frustrated, your brain starts to associate that space with pressure, self judgment and stuckness. A new environment breaks that pattern. It signals to your brain this is something different. And different can help you loosen up your creative muscles.
[12:44] Reconnect With Your Work
When you’re in a slump, you lose touch with the original spark you had when you first started writing. What drew you to write this story in the first place? Maybe it was a vivid image or scene you couldn’t shake. Maybe it was a question you were wrestling with about human nature, or about your own life. Maybe it was simply a character who felt alive and interesting to you. To get out of a writing slump, shift the way you’re thinking about your story.
Also Listen To:
Episode 187: 3 Ways To Write With More Confidence
Rate, Review, and Follow on Apple Podcasts.
“I love Writer Unleashed!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show. This helps me support more writers — just like you —to bring the story burning in their imagination onto the page. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. It’s chock full of writing tips and inspiration every Tuesday. Follow now!