Yesterday was a bad day. My intentions of having a productive day fell apart rapidly. After reading my previous attempts at writing the beginning of my current WIP my confidence shattered. I have been struggling with where to start the novel for ages so I have focussed on other scenes but the beginning needed to be tackled. I could not translate the visions in my mind on to the page, the writing did not flow, and I struggled to find the best place to start so the reader is hooked. I closed the tab and reread some blog posts I had written the night before. They also did not work. Self-analysis kicked in, comparing myself with the productivity and talent of others and self-doubt took hold. I began to question
- The wisdom of self-hosting my new blog instead of remaining in the free away from WordPress platform. I miss the interaction with others and the sense of community. My followers plummeted since the move.
- My writing ability
- Productivity – I am so slow compared to others
- My ability to balance writing, ambition and family life
I was ready to click the delete button.
But then I logged on to my favourite facebook writers group and blurted out my feelings. It was not long before I received support, commiserations, and advice. This helped so much. Never underestimate the power of the support in online groups and friends. They get you through bad days. After a good old fashioned cry, door slamming and consuming vast amounts of Jelly Tots and Yorkshire tea I began to feel better.
I also opened a book I had wished for on NetGalley, Old English Medical Remedy by Sinead Spearing. Thank you, Pen and Sword for granting my wish. It was different to what I was expecting but it is a perfect gem of a book which would make the old witches of Ellfaen clap their hands in glee. It is full of information, remedies, and beliefs of 9th Century and it gave me my spark back.
Today I am back on my PC in my writing space that I had to vacate over Christmas for visitors and back to writing.
Thank you very much to Mai Taylor, Viola Bleu, Kiltie Jackson and others I don’t know your blogs – yet!
How do you get over writing slumps?
Happy writing!
Kate Kenzie Writes 
What a fab blog post x
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Thanks Leanne x
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I’m so glad the writing group got you through this blip, now it’s onwards and upwards!
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I’m so sorry your confidence shattered, but I’m happy that you are still going! The world needs your story. ❤ ❤
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Hi. I would love to know more about your blog shift decission? Where have you gone to and why? I hope you don’t mind me asking, I am intruiged. X
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I had my kakenzieblog.wordpress.com but started reading about blogging weighed up the differences between free site and paid. I wanted more freedom with themes and web designso went to siteground hosting but my followers have plummeted and unless I log on to old account don’t see the reader etc. and kind of feel out on a limb with it. I think I ran before I could walk
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It so debilitating when you’re in a slump like that. If it makes you feel any better, I’ve just completed my first draft but I’m still not happy with the opening (I’ve re-written it three times already). The hook at the beginning is hard but there’s no rush. Let the rest of the story fall into place and it will come.
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Thank you. It does make me feel better knowing I am not the only one (sorry). I think I will carry on with original scene and if it needs moving to later in the book it will. I need to move on to the rest of the story where the fun is 😊 (for me not my characters they will be stressed).
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