Welcome back, writers! We’re officially three weeks into NaNoWriMo, and if you’re still going strong—props to you! But if you’re finding yourself in a bit of a slump, you’re not alone. It’s totally normal for that initial NaNo enthusiasm to wear off as we hit the middle of the month (also known as the dreaded murky middle). So if your word count is looking more like a sad emoji than a success story, let’s dig into the top 5 reasons you might be stuck.
Here’s 5 reasons you’re in a slump during NaNoWriMo:
1. Perfectionism
We’ve all been there—hovering over the backspace key, convinced that every word we type needs to be Pulitzer-worthy. But here’s the secret: Your first draft is allowed to be a hot mess. NaNoWriMo is about quantity, not quality. If you’re obsessed with perfect prose, you’re sabotaging yourself before you even get started. The cure? Set realistic word count goals and let it go. Just write—anything. The editing can wait until December.
2. Writer’s Block
Ah, writer’s block—the dreaded feeling of staring at a blank screen like it’s mocking you. It feels real, and it’s nasty. But here’s the thing: it could all be in your head. Maybe you’re overthinking, worrying about what’s going to happen next, or fearing how awful your writing is (spoiler alert: it’s probably not). The antidote? Break it down. Set mini-goals. Commit to just 10 minutes of freewriting to get the juices flowing. And remember, if you’re stuck, you’re not alone—NaNoWriMo is a community, so reach out to fellow writers for support!
3. Burnout
Writing every day is exhausting. Especially when you’re balancing your novel with real life—ya know, work, family, Netflix. It’s easy to get burnt out when you’re trying to hit those daily word counts. But here’s the deal: You can’t pour from an empty cup. So take a break! Go for a walk, read a book that isn’t your manuscript, or catch up on some much-needed sleep. Trust: you’ll come back to your NaNoWriMo project feeling recharged and ready to crush that word count.
4. Self-doubt
When NaNoWriMo hits the 3-week mark, it’s easy to look around and wonder, Is everyone else doing better than me? Spoiler: They’re probably not. Every writer struggles with self-doubt, but it’s especially prevalent when you’re neck-deep in NaNoWriMo. If you’re feeling demotivated, stop comparing yourself to others and start focusing on what YOU can do. Try some positive affirmations. And if that doesn’t work, grab a writing buddy (or several) to cheer you on. You’ll be surprised how far a little encouragement can go.
5. Loss of Interest
It happens to the best of us: You’ve lost that loving feeling for your story. Maybe the plot has stalled, or you’re just not as into your characters anymore. Here’s the fix: Reignite your passion by revisiting your story’s original inspiration. Brainstorm new twists or add a subplot that excites you. When you feel reinvigorated, your writing will follow suit. Don’t forget to make a note of any changes in your revision tracker for later!
Conclusion
We’re nearing the peak of the NaNoWriMo mountain (don’t look down!) and even though the middle is often messy, it doesn’t mean you should quit. Think of all the words you’ve written so far—that’s progress! If you’re still feeling the slump, check out our next post for 5 more NaNoWriMo motivation tips to keep you on track. No worries. You’ve got this!