Those Other Ideas for Writing Projects

Why is it that when you are writing one WIP, you get a great idea for another WIP? Multiple projects are not the answer to completing the first thing you set out to do. I do know this. I really do.

So what to do with the other idea?  Make a note. If ideas keep coming, make a notebook. Save it for later.

Why does the brain work like this? You say, "Pay attention and write about this person and situation." And suddenly your brain says, like a trick dog that's been cooped up too long, Is that all you want? Look at all the other things I can do. And then, while it's showing you how it can count to three with its paws and fish the dog biscuit out from under the sofa, it has distracted you from the fact that neither you nor your brain have a great deal of confidence in your current WIP and are about to abort and go to another planet.

NO, brain, no. Sit, brain, sit.

So it sat for me this morning. And we're still going, my pea-brain and I. I will respect all those fun and distracting ideas, keep them documented, and keep going.

Good brain! Have a brownie.

Comments

[Susan Helene Gottfried]

Mmm. A brownie. I wouldn't mind one of those right now!

I, too, write down all my ideas. I save them for a time when I feel like writing but am on the laptop and the manuscript I've been working on is still open on my desktop, so I can't work on it.

I think that those little diversions (so long as they ARE little) are good for me. A bit of fresh thinking; it rejuvenates me for when I return to the main project.

[Rebecca Laffar-Smith]

I always find ideas are abundant when I'm writing and keep notes of them too. It's so distracting however, especially when the WIP is being stubborn. It gets tempting to toss aside the 45,000 words I have so far and start on something new. I have to keep reminding myself why THIS idea is so important to me; why THIS idea is a brilliant one that truly deserves to be written; and why THIS idea is the one I simply HAVE to write now.

I think the strange thing is, despite keeping ream upon ream of story/novel ideas noted down I rarely ever return to them. When the time comes to begin something new there is usually a new idea ready to go too. But having those notes is like using a safety net. I never reach the point of fear that I won't have anything to write about because if I ever come up blank I have all those ideas to toss about. Then the trouble is choosing which one to begin.