Writers burn out. It happens. Some of us run out of inspiration and just can't keep going. Others just hit the point where they feel dread when they sit down at the keyboard. And then there are those just hit that point where they just hit a wall and don't see the reason in writing anymore. This happens to us all at some point; you just need to find a way to get back into your groove, and sometimes that can be relatively easy.
[Obligatory: Obviously, some writers feel they need to quit. That's fine; the writing life is not for everyone and if it's not a good fit you shouldn't feel forced to stay. Just be aware of the difference between the need to take a break and quitting forever. You can also quit and find that you need to get back into writing; some writers find that they just needed some time off. Either way, don't feel like you should be ashamed of either quitting or returning. You should always do what is best for you, forget what others may think.]
It's A Marathon, Not A Sprint
Writers tend to write maniacally. Once we get inspired we tend to spend every moment we can spend writing. We tend to focus on the writing, ignoring all else. We believe that we need to get it all out before something happens and we lose our mojo. When we're writing we're on the cusp of excitement because we have all these ideas and desperation as we never know when it will end, only that it will.
You need to realize that it's not a sprint but a marathon; you need to stop worrying about the writing today and worry about the writing for a month. I know that's just going to add to the pressure, but you need to recognize that if you write out of desperation borne out of the fear of inspiration dying then you will cause the fruit to dry even faster. Better yet, if you give yourself time to enjoy the high, it will actually last a lot longer as you begin asking yourself questions about
There's a reason that the pros have a scheduled time each day to write; it lets them focus on writing but they also know that they will be returning to the writing. This confidence takes the edge of the desperate need to write; after all, if you know that you will be coming back to it then you don't need to worry about getting it all out at one time.
Take A Break
Sometimes you need to take a break; you should not feel guilty about stepping away every so often. You need a chance to recharge your batteries. There's a certain degree of truth to the maxim "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"; if all you do is work and schedule your day around your work then you will find yourself losing an essential part of yourself over time. You need to schedule some time to play; you need to spend some time just enjoying yourself.
You need that time to recharge or you'll drive yourself crazy, and not in a good way.
If you feel the need to justify it (and you shouldn't), then realize that you need to spend some time where you accrue experiences. The best writers have a lot of experiences to draw from; they don't need to guess what it feels like to see a whale, to go on a roller coaster, to see the smile of a child while he sees fireworks; they've experienced it. If you cloister yourself behind your walls you limit your experiences and so you have less experience to draw from and it will show in your writing.
So definitely get away from the laptop every so often and go enjoy life. It will not only make you a better writer but prevent burnout.
Have a Support System
You can't do this alone. You need some sort of support system, be it people you gossip with every day, a child that gives you hugs, or even people in a group online; you need some sort of human contact. You need someone you can go to with a problem; it doesn't matter if they can solve it so much as it gives you a chance to unload. If the conversation gives you some sort of insight that helps you solve it, great, but that's not the point here; you need some form of human contact to stay sane.
That's something that needs to noted here. Definitely lurk in social media groups; you have questions and you need them answered; as such you need to hang out where you can get those answers. However, don't just lurk; participate. You can discuss topics presented in the group, answer questions others may have, and even ask questions yourself. If something good or bad happens to you then post; you need the congratulations and condolences just like anyone else, and offer up congratulations and condolences to others as it presents itself. This doesn't just keep you in the loop but ensures that you have some sort of human contact.
But don't be afraid of other forms of human contact. You need some sort of family in your life, even if it's adopted. You need people to celebrate things with and vent to, as well as celebrate their events and let them vent to you. Having virtual friends should not be seen as a bad thing, but sometimes you need to just enjoy the company of someone in real life. Writers are infamously introverted, but even the most introverted person needs someone to drink with.
The bottom line is that you need to remember that writing is not a sprint; it's a marathon. You need to be in it for the long haul, and that means you need prepare for it like you would a marathon. As such, make plans and strategize, take some time off occasionally, and make a few friends along the way; life may be short, but that doesn't mean it needs to brutish. Work hard, but play hard as well; enjoying yourself is the best way to avoid dreading the keyboard.
