How to get out of a writing slump

When one is depressed you fall into a slump that takes a push of some kind to lift you out: a visit to a therapist or dear friend, a change of routine or holiday, or just a stern conversation in front of the mirror. The latter is my go-to method. I use my first name, second name and surname in this important conversation.

The longer you stay in this temporary collapse the more difficult it becomes to get out. But what if you fall into a writing slump? I’m in such a rut and for the life of me I don’t know how to get out, despite a few projects with urgent deadlines needing my attention.

I have always prided myself on meeting my deadlines and now it’s a struggle. I put off writing until the deadline is staring me in the face and then I hastily attempt to get the work done. Not the ideal way to work, as anyone will tell you.

There is a lot of advice on dealing with writer’s block (Google). I have perused some of them but they are not for me. All of them look a lot like work – at a stage when I’m disinclined to work. What I need is a magic wand to wave with no effort and hey presto a miracle: I’m free of this dark cloud.

If you have any suggestions on how to get rid of writers block without breaking one’s back please let me know.