You might need to have some of another type of bedding to help keep the newspaper from sticking together. A few handfuls of compost will keep the paper aerated and seperated, or a few handfuls of chopped up leaves & some small pieces of cardboard also.

yes, vary the materials involved, but also you've probably gotten it too wet, paper will always do that when real wet ... fluff it up a bit

Bill

I might guess your shredder is a cross-cut or confetti-cut shredder. These types of shreds, when they get wet, do mat, which is not good for air flow.
I use the long strip cut shredder. Also when adding new paper, it is added dry.

wow, really good point. a cross cut. it's just the shredder i have in my home office. i think i'll just add hand ripped newspaper/cardboard and half finished compost from the compost tumbler from now on! and fluff the compacted part for now!

thanks everyone!