...by the end of the novel, Mike (Hammer) has rescued Velda, killed the Mafia's sinister Mr Big, and recovered the stash of drugs..." Hardboiled Hollywood, Max DeCharne. P84.

The first type is of course the dry spell when you can't think of any ideas. The second type is when kids just have a dry spell in writing.

John's daughter was prancing about the sitting room, practising for her school dance.

Now go in, discloak yourself, and come forth