
You’ve heard of writer’s block, but you likely didn’t realize there is an even worse version of it: writer’s burnout.
This is when the very idea of working on your project makes you upset. You feel completely disconnected from your work and can’t think of anything, not even the smallest plot points.
You may avoid opening up your documents so that you don’t have to see how much you still have left to do, or you might spend more time complaining about how you’re not writing than actually doing anything.
The difference between writer’s block and burnout is the frustration and resentment you feel. With writer’s block, you want to write but can’t think of any ideas. With burnout, you don’t want to write anymore at all.
Just like caregivers will start getting aggressive and resentful of the work they have to do, writers with burnout will get frustrated with their projects and resent the fact that they’re not done with it already.
Sadly, writer’s burnout happens to the most productive, creative, and passionate writers. Those who plod along doing one short story a year are not doing enough to ever get to that level. They are also likely not facing the pressure of full-time or part-time writers who have deadlines, expectations, and income riding on their work.
But if you’re facing burnout, you’re not alone. A lot of us have been there. So now that we understand what we’re dealing with, let’s talk about solutions.
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Build in time for burnout.

Your burnout plan begins before it ever hits you, which is by timing your project releases. This is especially important if you’re writing a book series like the Eirenic Verses. I have promised my readers ten books, and I am going to deliver on that.
So, I always give myself ample time to complete my projects so that if burnout strikes, I will have cushion. I was mostly finished with Funeral of Hopes by the time I released Pride Before a Fall, and I completed the final draft three months before the release date. This let me finish the final draft of the fourth book, What Is Cannot Be Unwritten, just days after Funeral of Hopes released.
This seems like a frenetic pace, but I had drafts of the first four books, the sixth book, and the eighth book done before I even released the first book, 9 Years Yearning. By planning ahead, I was able to ensure I would always hit my deadlines.
If you are planning a book series, I really encourage you to get the first two, or even the first three, done before you release anything, especially if you are self-publishing. They don’t need to be complete drafts, but they should be complete enough that you can have three or four months of breathing room between each release.
This also works if you are planning to get traditionally published because publishers love series, and being able to tell them you have more books in the works will make them sit up and take notice.
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Set your projects aside for a while.

The cause of burnout is usually twofold. First, you are doing too much writing and not enough other stuff. Second, you have other things in your life that are demanding your attention more stridently than your writing, and you’re trying to neglect those things in order to work.
I know, at least for me, that I feel guilty when I’m not working on my projects. I feel their hot gaze on me while I’m watching YouTube bodycam footage. “Why aren’t you bringing me to life?” they cry at me. “You’re already sitting at the computer – just open the document!”
But I am not going to be bullied by anyone, least of all fictional characters, so I tell them that I’ll be back eventually and they have to trust I will return.
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Work to resolve other issues in your life.

When you’re stressed about something else, you physically cannot focus on creative pursuits. Writing is a type of Higher Order Thinking that utilizes almost all your cognitive resources because it engages numerous parts of the brain. If your brain is occupied sorting other problems, your writing will feel bland.
Of course, there will be things that you can’t control, such as a health scare or an interpersonal conflict. In this case, you might need some professional support to help you cope. It’s incredibly brave to seek help and be vulnerable, so celebrate if you’re willing to take this huge step.
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If you must continue working, take more breaks and delegate if possible.

I know it’s not always feasible to set aside your work if you rely on it for your income. After all, I’m a freelance SEO writer as my main job, and it’s hard not to get burnt out when you’re doing 20 variations of the same goddamn article in a week, but I must persist. I can’t just say “nah, not feeling it” unless I’m literally on my death bed.
So I accept that it’s going to take longer to get things done when I’m having a hard time. I let the workday stretch out a bit and take more frequent breaks. Sometimes I have to turn down social engagements because I’m behind on work, while other times I’m able to squeak out the door just in time.
Regardless, I don’t berate myself for taking longer on a task. Humans aren’t meant to be working 24/7; we’re meant to rest frequently and work in short bursts of energy.
It’s also so valuable to delegate things when you can (assuming you can afford it). I had a marketing company set up my Amazon ads for 9 Years Yearning, and it was an excellent use of my money. Trying to figure out the market was too stressful and was taking away from my work. They did a great job and I started getting sales right away after an extended drought, so I know that was a good decision.
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Stop talking about your work with other people.

I’ve discussed this before in my post about why you should work on one project at a time, but this time, I mean something a little different. When you’re in writer’s burnout, you need to stop thinking about your project for a while – and talking about it with others is antithetical to that.
The more you discuss and dissect your project, the more frustrated you will become until you don’t want to work on it at all. So, restrain the urge to discuss things with other people. Let it rest.
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Focus on building efficacy in other parts of your life.

Indie authors face many challenges, and this can make us feel like imposters. However, your success at writing has absolutely no bearing on your worth as an individual. The publishing market is extremely crowded, with millions of books for readers to choose from. Every single sale is a triumph.
But you may forget that when you’re in the trenches. As such, don’t fight your burnout; turn attention to other places where you shine. Whether that’s a favorite sport, another hobby, or your day job, give these your all while you let your draft marinate. Each success will help you feel a bit better, and you’ll feel more confident when you return to your work.
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Give back to the writing community through beta reading or advice.

Beta reading can be an incredibly useful exercise for the reviewer too, as you’ll be able to identify things that don’t work. By looking at other peoples’ mistakes, you will have that in mind when you return to your own project and can swiftly resolve similar issues.
Most importantly, it gets you into the critic mindset while assuring you that you’re not the worst writer in the world; other people have the same problems you do.
Approaching with a growth mindset helps you develop efficacy in your writing while keeping you immersed in the process.
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Read more books.

Of course, this is the perennial mantra for writers: just read and write! But when you’re burnt out on your project, reading can be a lifesaver. Great books will inspire you, while terrible books will help you feel better about yourself.
You’ll pick up new turns of phrase, consider plots you may not have thought about, and identify what makes a great character. And it helps you fall in love with writing again because you’ll see the magic of books.
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Everyone deals with burnout differently because we are all different people, with unique stressors and life circumstances. However, what you must take to heart is that you’re not alone in this experience. Many of us have dealt with it before, and we’ve come out the other side.
Burnout doesn’t mean you’re not successful or committed. It means you care so much about your projects that it consumes you, and then you need to take a step back and figure out how to rein it in.
Be gentle with yourself during this time. Allow yourself to struggle, but don’t wallow either; accept that you’re having trouble, then work to resolve it. Healing from writer’s burnout takes willpower, but you can do it: one word, one sentence, one day at a time.
