Get Your Writing Mojo Back

Having spent two decades working with talented screenwriters, I knew for sure I wasn’t one. Sure, I could give notes — anyone can do that (my dentist could give notes). It’s easy to spot when something’s wrong, but fixing it? That’s an entirely different thing. So, I never even considered writing for film or TV. But I did want to find a way to express my creativity.

I decided to take a short story writing class at UCLA, and quickly fell in love with the form. Coming up with the first sentence that would launch the story was always exciting, and I was pretty good at finding a snappy beginning. I wrote several short stories — it became my secret joy. 

Then one day, a friend asked, "Do you write an outline before you start? Do you understand the structure of a short story?" I realized I didn’t, so I studied it. I tried outlining my next story, but just got overwhelmed and turned off. I stopped writing for three years. I just didn’t want to. I was afraid I’d never do it again.

But then, one night, when I was driving, I had a great idea for an opening sentence. As soon as I got home I sat down and just started writing. No outline, no worrying about structure (I’d figure that out later, after my first draft). It reignited my creative spark. I just had to find the approach that worked for me. Since then, I’ve written two more stories, and the joy is back.

Whether you’re writing a short story, a screenplay, or just trying to finish that one scene, creative slumps are the worst. But the good news is, you’re not alone. It happens to plenty of writers, and it doesn’t mean the spark is gone for good. It just means you need to find your way back to the fun of it.

Here are a few ideas to help you shake off the slump and get back to loving the process again:

Reconnect with your “why”

When you first started writing, it wasn’t about impressing executives, chasing deals or figuring out, “what the market wants”. I’m willing to bet you became a screenwriter because you love storytelling. So — cheesy as it sounds — take a minute to reconnect with that. What made you fall in love with writing in the first place? Was it making people laugh? Crafting the most unexpected twist? Telling stories that don’t often get told? Can you remember the thrill of diving into a new idea or the rush of finishing a first draft and realizing, Holy sh*t, I just did that? Maybe try journaling on your “why”. Reread an early script that made you proud. Or re-watch the movie or TV show that first made you need to be a screenwriter. Because at the end of the day, you chose this career for a reason — a reason that’s a lot deeper than draft payments and development deals. 

Switch up your routine 

If writing feels like a chore, maybe it’s because you’ve been doing it the same way for too long. So, try shaking things up. If you always outline meticulously before going to script, try jumping straight into a “bad first draft” (even just a “bad first scene”) — to see where it takes you. If you usually break story alone, recruit a writer friend for a day to bounce ideas off of. Or maybe it’s not your process that needs a shake up, maybe it’s your environment. If you always write at home, take your laptop to a coffee shop, a library, a coworking space, or even just a different room. Sometimes even a small shift in routine can break the monotony and make writing feel fresh again.

Write something just for fun 

I know, I know — you’re probably thinking, “Carole, I can’t pay my rent with something just for fun.” And you’re right. I’m not suggesting you sideline your other projects — I’m saying not everything you write has to be “career-building.” Give yourself permission to write something purely because it excites you. It doesn’t have to be a huge commitment — maybe it’s a short film script, a TikTok skit you can shoot on your phone, or maybe it’s not a script at all, maybe it’s a short story or even a haiku. The only rule? Whatever you write has to come with ZERO pressure to “be good”. Sometimes stepping away from the grind is exactly what you need to bring the fun back (and who knows? Maybe you’ll discover a new creative outlet you love).

Try on a new genre 

If you’ve spent years writing in the same genre, your creative brain might be itching for a change. So, if you’ve always written comedy, maybe try a thriller. If you live in dark period dramas, take a stab at sci-fi. Even just brainstorming a few ideas outside your usual wheelhouse can spark your creativity in a new way. Again, no pressure here to be great — just see what comes. Even if your ideas are truly terrible, exploring something new can remind you what it feels like to be challenged and excited by writing again.

Community can be a game changer

Writing can be an isolating profession and spending too much time alone isn’t always great for motivation or enthusiasm. So, make time to put your laptop down and connect with people who “get it”— grab coffee with a writer friend, join a writer’s group, or, if you’re in LA, try attending a screenwriter networking event to expand your community. 

Having fellow writers to talk (and vent) with can remind you that you’re not alone. Plus, your writer friends are likely going through similar frustrations and fears as you are — so you can be there for them as much as they can be there for you. Even for the most introverted screenwriter, creating a sense of community can be a game-changer.

Give yourself a break (seriously) 

Burnout is real, and sometimes the best way to get your writing mojo back is to step away from it for a bit. So, if finances allow, take a vacation (even a short stay-cation can do wonders). Or simply put your laptop away for a day — get outside, binge-watch something just for fun, or try a new hobby that has nothing to do with writing. Maybe you’ve always wanted to try surfing, knitting, or photography? Giving yourself a bit of space to actually miss writing might be exactly what you need to rediscover your excitement for it.

Don’t panic: slumps don’t last forever 

Every writer — even the most successful ones — hit a point where they feel stuck or uninspired. It doesn’t mean that you’ve lost your talent or that you’re done. It just means that, like any long-term relationship, sometimes you need to shake things up to remember why you fell in love with it in the first place. So get out of your routine, experiment, and most importantly, don’t panic. The spark will come back.

How do you find joy in the writing grind? Let me know @CaroleKirsch!

For more industry info and tips check out these additional resources:

For the ultimate guide to pitching a TV show that sells, check out my e-book, The Ultimate Guide to a Killer Pitch

To learn how to create your “personal logline” read my free e-book, Tell Your Story in 60 Seconds.

For my in-depth video course on breaking into the business go to: Carole Kirschner’s Hollywood Boot Camp.

And you can find my book, Hollywood Game Plan on Amazon or at Michael Wiese Productions (MWP).