It's inevitable. It will happen. When writing your screenplay you will get in a rut. You could also get in a rut when searching for a new idea. Whatever the rut is, as screenwriters we have peaks and valleys. The key is not to get swallowed up in the valley of a creativity rut. Many people have different ways of breaking this rut and getting the creative juices flowing when writing a screenplay, but here are 7 that I've used and recommend to fellow writers frequently. Some of them seem very simple, some require more work then others. Nonetheless all of these ideas will help get your screenplay going.



1. Have someone else read your screenplay. Seems simple, right? But I don't mean another screenwriter! This is usually what writers do. Do the unusual. This is the key to anything you do to break out of the rut when writing your screenplay. Have someone, not a writer, read your screenplay. But here's the key: don't tell them you are in a rut. Just say you want their thoughts. They will surely have thoughts, opinions or ideas that might spur some creativity in you.

2. Watch unusual TV. Not the networks, not the main cable channels. A channel you have never watched, and would probably never think of watching. I personally have watched several half hour infomercials that have helped spur my creativity and help many of my screenplays. The interplay and dialogue in these infomercials have been really, well, unique. You will find this true generally of any TV show you don't normally watch. Browse the listings and find something you would never think of watching, then sit down on the couch with a positive attitude, and enjoy.

3. Read the classifieds. Have you ever really sat down and gone through the whole classifieds section. The classifieds are a little window into the needs, wants and desires of our society.

4. Travel through Wikipedia. Many people still haven't found the usefulness or joy in Wikipedia. Pick a term, any term, and spend an hour following the links from that term and see where you've end up. Maybe pick something you've always wondered about and thought about looking up, but never have taken the time to do so. Well, now is the time and as always, a writer can never have enough information on different and interesting topics. See where you end up after the hour and compare it to where you started. You might find that you've been on a pretty interesting journey through random nuggets of information.

5. Plan your dream vacation. Just like the journey through Wikipedia, this is another way of going on a little journey. Is there someplace you've always wanted to go? Why not plan out that dream vacation. Research your destination, where you want to stay, the sights you want to see and how you'll get there. This can act like a little escape, and maybe, as a little motivation to work harder on your screenplay because if you sell it, maybe you can take that dream vacation!

6. Make something new for dinner. This has always been one of my favorite escapes that helps spur my creativity. I find a recipe, usually I have a stack of recipes that I have wanted to try, and go shopping for the ingredients and then set out on trying not to ruin it. Along the way, I will probably learn about some new ingredients or new techniques. Also, and very importantly, I will have taken a break from writing to make myself a very good meal. Lot so times when we are in a screenwriting rut, we don't take the time to eat well or sleep enough. Well, here's an opportunity to not only take the time to eat well, but to do something different. As I've mentioned doing something different is the key to spurring creativity.

7. Volunteer - If you don't usually volunteer, this is a great way to meet new people and have positive experiences. Many motivational consultants recommend volunteering, not just as a way of doing social good, but as a way to help re-focus our lives and inspire us. When you volunteer you will surely meet some incredible people who face different challenges and have met these challenges head on.

Hopefully, some of these ideas for getting back on the creative track with your screenplay are helpful or have at least spurred other ideas in your mind as to how to get out of your writing rut. Whatever it is you do to break out of your rut, do something! I've known many writers who struggle through ruts for endless amounts of time and don't do the key to energizing a creative mind - doing something out of the ordinary. It doesn't necessarily have to be something very weird or unusual, but it should be something you don't usually do and be enjoyable. If it is out of your normal routine and you find some pleasure in doing it, you will finish that screenplay as a better screenwriter!