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How recently did you finish your novel? Was it also high fantasy or dystopian or another similarly complex plot style?

Sometimes a rest between projects is needed. And the more complex the project you just finished, or the more stressful the pressure you worked under, the more likely your brain just needs some time to recuperate. Maybe take a few days off from writing. Get outside, walk and stretch and be active; pray; learn something new. Do some chores you have been putting off for a while. Limit your break to a few days or a week or so, just make sure you have a definite time to return to writing. But try to avoid writing, thinking about writing and even reading, if doing so will get you thinking about writing.

Not only does this give you time to recover from the mental work of writing, but it allows you to refill your inkpot of ideas and inspiration. Experiences lead to ideas, so any time you find yourself short of ideas – go refill the pot. Or the well, but those are a bit awkward to carry around and rather bulky for storing on or near a desk.

At the end of your writing vacation, it may help to start with lighter plots and with exercises. Ease back in, maybe read a new book in your genre or re-read one that inspired your own writing the most. Read/ re-read a book about plotting and do the exercises. Allow yourself time to brainstorm. Then, just write. Even if you can’t plot a novel, write a short story. Spend the time doing any writing (not just waiting to write or thinking about writing, but actual writing), and your brain will eventually get the idea and click back into gear.

I hope that helps! I’ve also struggled with that, and still am, actually. But all the above has helped me, when I actually do it. Not writing, unfortunately, can be much easier than cleaning off the dust and cobwebs and actually writing. But that desire to write doesn’t lessen any, and I just get more frustrated with myself for not doing the hard work needed to fully return to pursuing my writing dreams. Currently I am (procrastinating about) reading Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell, which was recommended on the Writing Rank improvement guide. Have you read that yet? I also liked the book Where Do You Get Your Ideas? by Fred White.