It happens to all of us. We’re in the middle of a project, when suddenly a new, more exciting, even better idea for a story hits us. What should we do? Ignore it? Strike while the iron is hot? In a post on Writers Write, Susanne Bennett offers a few suggestions for writers who get too many good ideas.
“Shiny new ideas never appear when all is going well in your writing,” Bennett says. “You’re completely immune to it when you feel the flow of writing.”
Bennett suggests this happens because our writer-brain is trying to solve a problem. In this case, the problem is our boredom or struggle with our current WIP, which our brain wants to solve with the least possible effort, ie: a new idea.
Rather than jump on the new idea, Bennett suggests trying to figure out how the problem arose. Do you need a mental or physical break from writing? Do you need a brief diversion? Instead of starting a new project, take a break, rehydrate, or ask a friend to look at your manuscript.
Take that new idea and give it five minutes of fame. Celebrate, spend some time jotting down ideas, and then put it aside. Never throw it away! You might hate the new idea later or it could become your next project or an important element of a different story.
For most writers, the worst thing you can do is jump from new idea to new idea. Even if writing is only a hobby for you, finishing is important. Finishing a story builds a sense of accomplishment and momentum, and teaches you craft elements you’ll never learn if you constantly start new stories without ever reaching The End. “Finishing also builds up a pattern, which, in turn, builds up writing muscle,” Bennett says. “You will gain strength and stamina when you follow that road. Now, that’s what you need for your next story!”
