| When I was writing my first novel there came a | | | | other things and see articles or materials related |
| moment when I found another idea for a book. It | | | | to the idea, I just add them to the box. The |
| was in a story I'd read in The New York Times | | | | boxes are front and center for me. You can use |
| about a Japanese family. That was a big moment | | | | this concept, or another one that would work |
| for me. I could see immediately how I could turn | | | | best for you. Maybe putting your ideas on a |
| the story into a novel. I knew what themes I | | | | bulletin board is better. The point is to find a way |
| wanted to explore, and the message I wanted to | | | | to keep the idea in front of you. If it's in front of |
| express through the telling of the story. I got | | | | you, you'll think about it and it will be alive. |
| really excited because in that moment I knew I | | | | Prioritize and Schedule |
| could work with more ideas, and that I wouldn't | | | | When you put the idea down, also put down |
| write just one book--I would write BOOKS! The | | | | when you'll start it. Either give it a date or say "I'll |
| bad part, though, is that moment start happening | | | | start working on this idea when I have finished X |
| again and again with alarming frequency. And | | | | project." Keep a list or a calendar so you won't |
| those ideas starting talking to me, wanting my | | | | lose track of what you'll be working on next. |
| attention! I know I'm not alone in this. Avalanches | | | | When you do this, your projects will have a |
| of ideas are common for writers, but what to do | | | | sequence--one will come after another--it won't |
| with them so you won't lose them before you | | | | seem like you have to work on everything all at |
| can write them? | | | | once. |
| Here's how I handle my ideas. I hope you can put | | | | Complete One Thing, Then Start On The Next |
| these strategies at work for you! | | | | Of course this also means that you have to finish |
| Write It Down--But Not Just the Idea | | | | one project to get you to the next idea! This |
| You've probably done this before: you write down | | | | sounds simple, but it requires a lot of discipline. |
| the idea when you get it. Then you file it and | | | | When a project isn't going well, it's easy to get |
| forget it. Obviously that's not a great result. But | | | | distracted by a new, seemingly uncluttered idea. |
| you can change the results by changing how you | | | | One coach I know refers to this as "bright, shiny |
| do it. First of all, don't just write down the idea. | | | | object syndrome"! Don't disrespect your current |
| Write down the reasons why you find the idea | | | | project this way. If you're really more inspired by |
| compelling. Who do you think will love or benefit | | | | the new idea, think of it as a reward: you get to |
| from your idea? Where do you see the idea | | | | work on it when you finish what you're writing |
| fitting in with the big picture of your writing | | | | now. |
| career? Is the idea your next book? Or is it two | | | | Work Faster |
| books from now? | | | | As you work and learn your craft the ideas will |
| Think Beyond File Folders | | | | just keep coming. If that list is getting longer, |
| I'm not a big fan of file folders. I put something in | | | | don't get overwhelmed--just work faster! And |
| a folder, I put the folder in a file drawer and then | | | | enjoy! You won't have to contend with a blank |
| it's out of sight, out of mind! I also have a hard | | | | screen and, even better, you won't have a blank |
| time finding folders as a draw fills up. For my big | | | | writing career. You'll see you have many books |
| ideas I like to use cardboard boxes, a technique I | | | | inside you, not just one! Embrace that idea and |
| learned from choreographer Twyla Tharp. I label | | | | run with it! |
| the box, put the idea in it. Then as I'm working on | | | | |