can't get in the mood to write

As Anthony Burgess wrote, "I only write when I'm inspired- and I'm inspired every day at 9.00am". Except you often aren't, despite perhaps going through your little pre-writing routine of coffee and reading the paper. If the prospect of three hours of blank time ahead is overwhelming chop it up into bits. Decide to only do two hours or one hour, then, once you have momentum, keep on going. If you are on a word deadline I've done the following before: write 100 words as soon as you sit down- then take a break, have a coffee, do some press-ups- whatever signifies 'not writing' to you- then sit down again and write 200 words. Take another break. Then 400 words. Final break, then 800 words. This method works even when writing seems like getting blood out of a stone. And I've often noticed around the 200-400 mark you suddenly get into step again and you don't need the final break.