#slumping

Because sometimes we all need to be inspired before writing.

Exercise.

Dance. Play baseball. Shoot some hoops. Whatever you like. Move your body, and maybe your mind will too.

Write.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is write, even when you’re slumping. If nothing else, start another project. Try to write when you aren’t inspired or motivated. Who knows what might happen.

Read.

If you don’t…

Congrats on getting 13 chapters in. Hang in there.

The below usually help me when I’m slumping.

Exercise.

Dance. Play baseball. Shoot some hoops. Whatever you like to do. Move your body and maybe your mind will take note.

Write.

Sometimes when you’re slumping the best thing you can do is write. Something. Anything. Work on another story or even edit a different novel. It’s tough, but try to write even when you aren’t inspired or motivated. Who knows, it might turn out amazing.

Read.

During writing slumps, I love reading books by authors I know and love. Although you might be tempted to read a book in the same genre as your own novel, perhaps a different kind of story is just what you need. If you don’t feel like reading, watch a movie or TV show. See if other stories can inspire you to tell your own.

Game.

Play. Have fun. Video games are great for all kinds of reasons, even more so when you’re a writer. You have a new world to discover. You get to see a storyline unfold. You can study dialogue between different characters. All that good stuff.

Blog.

Bloggers are some of the most inspiring people you’ll ever meet. Enough said.

Rest.

Sometimes you just need to take a break. That’s okay. Eat. Sleep. Take care of your body. Return to your story when you’re ready.

Explore.

Go outside. Take a walk. Travel somewhere you’ve never been before. That might get the creative juices flowing.

I hope you break out of your slump soon.

Happy writing!

Dave McMenaminDec 27, 2025, 06:28 PM ET Close Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN. Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09. EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The questions came in rapid succession to Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton, following L.A.’s first practice since a disappointing Christmas Day…

Alden GonzalezOct 30, 2025, 07:30 AM ET Shut ESPN baseball reporter. Lined the L.A. Rams for ESPN from 2016 to 2018 and the L.A. Angels for MLB.com from 2012 to 2016. With two on and two out in Recreation 5’s fourth inning, Tommy Edman took his greatest swing on a Trey Yesavage slider that stayed above the zone. Edman bought just below it. The popup fell harmlessly into the glove of Toronto Blue…

If there is anyplace Tesla should be thriving, it’s Norway. Electric vehicles account for more than 90 percent of new car sales in the Scandinavian country, and buyers here are among the most sophisticated in the world when it comes to understanding the nuances of batteries, charging and range. So it hardly bodes well for Tesla that its sales in Norway have declined more than 12 percent so far…