Maybe you're on a trajectory. That this little period is what you need to suffer through and work through to get to the next stage of your writing. Two things. I think we grow as writers (or we should TRY to grow and keep changing and reworking it), and I think it's hard to let go of what we know and what we do well. Because, hey, praise whores, yes? So don't beat yourself up over it. Go with it a little and see where it takes you.

Regarding Rene. I actually agree with you and you need to come up wtih another character that you love as much. I get the sense you're in mourning for him. Which I totally get because I didn't write him and I'm in mourning for him too.