Writing Slumps

Since spring is near and dear, it’s reminded how much baseball is like writing. In this case, I’m talking specifically about how most batters go into batting slumps from time to time. Well, us writers do too. The worst MLB player to go into a slump was Chris Davis in 2018. From April to September that year, Davis went 0-54. In other words, he couldn’t buy a hit. And yet despite it he persevered and never gave up.

“He continued to show us how to be a professional,” 24-year-old Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins said. “Going through the struggles that he has, he kept his chin up no matter what. To witness that in person, it’ll help me maintain my composure when I go through the same thing.”

“This guy is tough. This guy is mentally tough,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “To see him be the same guy every day and put in so much extra time … to see the results work out for him, it’s a great feeling.”

When Davis finally got a hit, it was like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

I write this because I’m in a bit of slump right now. When that happens, a writer also needs to be mentally tough. First big one of my career where staring at the empty screen has become the norm. Is it because I’m getting older? Are my creative powers waning? I’m not sure. To be honest, I’ve always experience a sense of dread when I finish a novel, believing it might be the last one I ever write. That’s because writing is hard. Real hard. When I look back and see that I’ve written thirteen books, it astounds me. How in the world had I accomplished something that hard? Thirteen times?

Will I come out of this one? I think I will, I’m still not sure. I just had a book come out at the end of December, CRUEL & BITTER THINGS. It’s the first in the series, and thankfully, I have the second and third books mostly done. It’s the new stuff that’s causing me to worry. The creating-something-from-nothing part of writing.

Which brings me to another thing. I’ve been writing stuff and playing around with some ideas and POVs and tone. Can writing be like the home player who simply plays for his or her own benefit? Obviously, writing is a quiet, contemplative art form. It’s not usually enjoyed in front of cheering crowds, like rock bands and pop stars. I often feel that I’m writing material just to tickle my fancy, not to reach any larger audience. Not much of it has gone anywhere. It’ll be pages sitting in my desk forever. Like a guitarist sitting at home and strumming a tune.

I’m hoping to find my mojo again like Chris Davis found his. I’m sure I will, even if doesn’t feel that way now. I’ve done it before. I know the process and the routine. I know not to look at the big picture, knowing how intimidating and scary it is, but to revel in the organic act of writing small details. Write word after word in order to lay the foundation for a greater story. And it always helps to realize that first drafts are often terrible. Ask any writer. But at least with a first draft a writer has something concrete to work from.

So I’ll keep at it. Searching for my muse. Typing away. Hopefully, it’ll come back. Keep your fingers crossed for me. One of these days I’ll swing the bat and that ball will drop in for a basehit.

Best,

Joe