Thread: I'm in a Slump

After noticing a few grammar errors, I've started rereading one of my stories and then doing a little editing. I've even considered doing that for another of my stories. But now i have a new problem, I read what i've already written, but i just can't find the right new words. I haven't gotten passed the first page because of this. I think I've lost my stuff.

Sometimes I know something is wrong but simply can't pin it down, I don't find pushing it usually helps. I usually go off and do something else for a bit, then one day I'll look at it and realise I simply didn't need that much description in a part of the story that only introduces, or that by re-ordering the concepts behind what I am saying it looses its stilted feel.

You could try something 'mechanical' for a bit, like checking you have been consistent with capital I for the first person
Seriously, I will go through the ms and make sure I have carriage returned in the right places and entered all my punctuation.

sounds like burn out. it happens. just turn off the computer and go do something fun with friends.

Make your grammar correct first time round, in everything you write. Insist on correct spelling and capitalization, even in texts, facebook and forum posts. Make it something you do without thinking. Then you will have one less edit to do.

Sometimes it helps to do a complete rewrite. Print it out and retype into a blank document. Use your first draft as an outline only. You'll be surprised what you can come up with when writing fresh.

I think its a mistake to try and edit while you are writing. You should just write first, complete a draft and then worry about the grammer etc. By going back and editing you are stifling your creativity.