Preferred Methods for dealing with Burnout?

Honestly, I don't worry about burn out too much. My only concern is if I'm making progress. It doesn't matter if that progress comes in the form of 2500 words or 25 words. As long as I'm constantly moving forward, I take it as a win or at least a tie.

For me, I have times where I'm very productive, and I have times where it's a bit of a struggle. It all averages out I think. It's all about knowing yourself and being honest with yourself about what the situation is. Sometimes you need to get off your arse and get typing. Other times, you need to throttle back because you're tired for whatever reason. Other times still, it's somewhere in between.

The only time I get worried is if I've stopped completely, meaning no word count progress, no editing progress, no thinking about writing/my story at all. That's when I get worried.

 

A 2k daily word count is incredible production for a part-time writer (I'm assuming you haven't gone pro), in my opinion. My best days are in the 2k range. However, I've learned that when I'm pumping out that many words, quality suffers.

I read Chris Fox's book on how to grow to 5k a day, and although my production tripled, I wasn't doing good work, even for a first draft. I decided to slow it down and give my mind time to chew on the story details that I enjoy as a reader.

I now do a weekly word count. It isn't a crazy high number. I'd call in modest, but I write every day until I hit that weekly goal. If I hit my weekly number & Sunday is the next day, I take the day off. I've found that by allowing my mind time to recharge, I'm able to produce much better first drafts. Mind you, my process is always changing, but a few things have remained constant for some time now.

First, I write first thing in the morning, right after I pour myself that first cup of coffee. I'm disciplined about that because it's far too easy to let the early writing hours slip away. I've also found that those early few minutes, when I'm not fully awake seem to be very creative. I'd like to think it has something to do with the unconscious mind lumbering closer to the surface, but in truth, it's probably more along the lines of training myself to be creative at a certain time, and when my mind isn't fully alert, that instinct fall into creativity is easier. There's less inhibitions getting in the way.

So, if you haven't already, fiddle with your writing time. Start early before the day takes hold of you. Most times when I talk to someone about writing in the early morning, I get reasons why they can't do mornings. They can. They just don't want to. Just a few years ago, I would've said the same. "I'm not a morning person!" I'd scream. I am now because I trained myself to be creative in the morning. It took a couple months, but it was worth it.

Also, consider slowing your pace some. I'm just guessing from the information you've supplied, but maybe you're struggling with what you're writing because the you're hurrying over the pieces that make the storyteller in you feel the wow factor. Think about spending a lot more time (time that you used to pump out half those words in) daydreaming about your story, working through dialogue to make it feel more natural and snappier, turning your metaphors into magic, or infusing emotional conflict into your story. It could simply be that you feel you're writing beneath your storytelling ability because you aren't paying attention to the storytelling itself. You're pumping out words.

Learning to write faster isn't wasted time, but it certainly isn't one of the more important aspect of storytelling. Spend more time in development & love what you write.

 

When this happens to me, I know my creative well is tapped and needs to be refilled. I would take a short break and read or watch what inspires you. For me, an urban fantasy author, that involves K-pop videos, books of all stripes but especially those within my genre, and TV shows and movies. I'll also change up my music until something clicks and the words start flowing again.

Remember, also, that we writers need self-care. Take time for a massage or a walk with the leashable animal of your choosing, or playing a video game. Also, remember to snack while you work. It takes a lot of energy to do what we do. Good luck!