Welcome to Day 124...
It's no secret all that over indulgence from Thanksgiving can put you in a food coma. You feel listless, unmotivated, unfocused...
For those of us who write, some of those symptoms may sound way too familiar. That's because they could all be the same indicators that you just might be in a writing slump.
But here's the tricky part. Some times those signs can get masked, so you have to been on guard for the warning signals.
Here's what to look out for...
1. You're Becoming Overly Efficient in Your Everyday Life.
So much so, that your putting your writing last or avoiding it altogether. Yes the chores, the grocery shopping and the errands have to get done, but it's really all about priorities and if you're putting any and all of those ahead of getting some quality writing time in EVERY day, you're in danger mode.
2. You're Feeling Guilty About Not Writing.
Guilt comes when you're not doing what you're supposed to be doing...eating better, exercising more, writing etc...or when you are doing something you're not supposed to be doing...eating junk food, laying on the couch, avoiding working on your book. If the guilt is there, it's a tell-tale sign you're not writing as much as you can - or even at all.
3. Gaining Little or No Traction on Your Scenes
For me, it's like I'm stuck in neutral. I keep revisiting the same sentences in the same scenes to re-tweek words and phrases. It's like I'm faux writing, but the bottom line is, I'm making no real progress.
4. You Have Low or No Drive on Any Aspect of Your Writing & Publishing
Even if you're feeling a bit stuck on you're writing, then at least other aspects of the publishing game should still be on you're radar. But if everything, from designing your book cover, to creating new marketing ideas, isn't anywhere on you're to do list, you could be heading into a serious slump.
5. You're Feeling Twinges of Dissatisfaction About Your Life.
Look if you're like most writers, you have big dreams about where your novels will take you...dreams that will transform your life...an early retirement, a vacation home, travel. You get the idea, but if all of that seems completely out of reach and you're daydreams have stalled, it's time to get back to writing and believing in all the places your success can take you.
So there it is, and if by now you've decided you're in a full blown writing slump, take heart...the hardest part of fixing something is first admitting there's a problem.
Stay tuned because tomorrow we'll be looking at solutions to get you back writing...
"Sometimes the Easiest Way to Solve a Problem is to Stop Participating in the Problem" J Mead
Here's to Being All In,
Maggie
Follow me on Twitter @AuthorMaggie #busywriterslife
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