From Slump to Inspiration: Breaking Through Writer's Block & Dealing with Rejection

I’m in a slump…

I’m no longer writing daily.

I missed some monthly writing goals in August.

I got 2 rejections this month – I’m very selective in my agent submissions so these and the other 6 I’ve gotten this year feel very personal!

And I’m having a baby next month – I feel as though the walls are closing in on my writing time (and maybe my sanity)!
 
So I did the unthinkable.
 
I heard a knock…and let her in. And now my inner critic refuses to leave.
 
She’s watching cheesy Hallmark movies, flaunting celebrity children’s books, and hitting the snooze button on my alarm clock.
 
It’s time to kick the critic to the curb. Here’s my plan of attack:

• listen to podcasts (Literaticast, All The Wonders & Picturebooking, SCBWI, The Porchlight, The Yarn)
• research additional agents/agencies for further submission
• download and listen to Emily Arrow’s album for inspiration – I like to imagine how she would depict my manuscripts in song as an exercise in voice and tone
• fill my library reserves with picture books referenced in podcasts, blogs, agency representation, and Emily Arrow songs!
• catch up on webinars
• daily writing –morning flow pages & creative writing prompts
• continue to read – in addition to picture books, knock some middle grade and craft books off my ‘To Read’ list

 
And I’m keeping in mind Josh Funk’s tweet that Kate DiCamillo’s BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE was rejected 494 times!!! And his LADY PANCAKE picture book received 35 rejections from agents before he subbed directly to publishers through the slush pile.
 
What tricks do you employ to get out of a writing rut?