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Writer's pictureProtector of the Realm

Reading Slumps are the Worst: Overcoming Reader's Block

The first DNF is a warning sign. The second leaves a strange feeling in your gut. The third is an omen... The fourth? Panic mode activated.



Even the most dedicated bookwyrms can be hit by the dreaded reader's block. There are so many different factors that can trigger this pesky reading ailment, and for those who use reading as an escape, things can start looking pretty bleak.


But hope is not lost! Reading blocks are usually temporary, despite how long they feel.


Here are some ways that can help you overcome reader's block and bring back the joy of immersing yourself in the pages of a good book.

Re-read a Favorite Novel


Whether it’s Harry Potter or Mistborn, we all have books that we absolutely adore. There can be a lot of pressure in the reading community to keep up with every new release, but sometimes the easiest way to overcome reader’s block is to slip into a world, a story, and live with characters we’re already familiar with and enjoy. 


If you’ve already read and enjoyed The Continua Chronicles, consider this a formal invitation to jump back in to the world and relive the adventure!



Switch to a New Format


We all have our preferred formats. Whether it be ebook, paperback, hardback, audiobook… VR? Is that a thing yet? But sometimes switching from ebook to physical for a more tangible experience, or maybe physical to audio to to fit in your stories while doing chores or commuting to work can help overcome a reading slump.


Now, hear me out on this one. The new format could mean not reading at all! Try movies or a TV show you've been meaning to watch. If you want to really make the most of this method, watch a movie based on a book and remind yourself how much better reading is.




Focus on Novellas or Short Stories


If you’re a fantasy fan, you know that a lot of SFF stories are on the longer side. But not all fantasy stories are chunkers. Long stories are great when they’re well crafted, but sometimes it’s nice to take a break from the seven-course-meal-behemoth-sized epics, and read something short. Sometimes a novella or two will cleanse your palette just enough to be ready to jump back into the longer stories you love.


If you don’t know where to start, we have a short story available for free!



Read a New or Forgotten Genre


If you’re an avid fantasy reader, sometimes it helps to read another genre like Thriller or Romance to change up what you’re reading. It may feel like you’re betraying your true love, but it can be healthy to try something new. It’s okay to enjoy more than one genre. This isn’t monogamy! Like reading short form stories, switching genres can be a great palette cleanser.


Take a Break from Reading


Sometimes you just have to take a break from reading. If you’re deeply engrossed in the book community, you know how much pressure there is to keep up, to stay hip, to read all the things. But it’s okay to step away from something you enjoy so that you can come back to it with more passion than ever.




Know Thyself


No one can tell you how to pull yourself out of a reading slump. These suggestions are things that may work for you because they’ve worked for me or other readers I’ve talked to. One or a combination of these things may work. But you will have to do the work to experiment and understand what will help you move to the next place in your reading journey.


When you’re ready to jump back into reading, we’ll be here with fantasy stories we think you’ll love.





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Karma
Karma
Jul 06

"The first DNF is a warning sign. The second leaves a strange feeling in your gut. The third is an omen... The fourth? Panic mode activated"


I think this is not a healthy mentality. This thinking creates a fear/compulsion of finishing everything that you started. It should be perfectly normalised to drop a book as you shouldn't force yourself to finish something just for the sake of it. "Sunk Cost Fallacy" is aptly applicable here...

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This isn't meant to be a "mentality" at all. If we were suggesting that you power through your DNFs, it would be. There's also a difference between putting something aside (DNF) and a reoccurring inability to find joy in reading (reading slump/reader's block). And as was suggested, "Sometimes you just have to take a break from reading. If you’re deeply engrossed in the book community, you know how much pressure there is to keep up, to stay hip, to read all the things. But it’s okay to step away from something you enjoy so that you can come back to it with more passion than ever." Seems to be more the opposite of the "Sunk Cost Fallacy."

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