The Breaking Point of the Page

I assume there’s a moment every “real” writer hits.

At least, there’s one I seem to hit quite frequently. It’s that point where you stare at the screen, convinced everything you’ve written is garbage. You start debating whether to throw it all out, start a complete rewrite, or walk away for the sake of your own sanity.

It’s not a great place to be, somewhere between creative breakthrough and creative breakdown.

Part of you knows the story still matters. But another part whispers that maybe you’ve lost it. Maybe the spark that started it all burned out somewhere between edits and expectations.

But here’s what I’ve realized: that moment isn’t failure. It’s friction. And friction means you’re still trying.

Sometimes, yes, the rewrite is the answer. Sometimes you need to tear it down to the bones. But other times, you just need space, a few hours, a day, maybe even a week, to step away and see the words for what they are, not what you wanted them to be.

That breaking point doesn’t mean the story’s dying. It means it’s fighting to come alive.

So before you delete, rewrite, or walk away, take a breath. Step back. Because the story that frustrates you most might just be the one worth finishing.

"I swear the story made sense before I started writing it."