What if you have too many writing ideas?
You might not know what to write about. But there’s another problem I think is even more common:
Having too many ideas.
What if you’re excited, inspired, and ready to move forward on several projects? You can’t bear to drop any of your potential masterpieces, so you decide to do them all. At once.
But when it comes time to actually work on something, your body and brain are pulled in a million different directions. You freeze. Somehow, you don’t make progress on anything.
Sound familiar? I know it does for me.
One reason this gums up your momentum is you’re devoting a relatively tiny bit of active writing time to each idea.
Another reason is that you aren’t able to use the space between writing sessions to your advantage. If you work on one project at a time, your brain works on story problems while you go about the rest of your day. It’s much easier to work through writing puzzles if you force yourself to dwell on them.
So writing momentum does NOT come from working harder on all the things.
Low-energy writers take note: If it’s momentum you’re after, you need to prioritize.
If your creative brain is swimming in too many potential masterpieces, maybe it’s time for an experiment. Ask yourself: Out of all my ideas—both new and old—which one feels the most exciting right now?
Choose that one, and work on it until it’s finished.
You might be surprised by how much more you can do when you limit your projects to one at a time.
xo
Alyssa
P.S. Some tips…
Tip #1: For a quick win, choose an idea that requires less time. Maybe not the manuscript that still needs years more work…
Tip #2: Think twice about choosing a project that’s been hanging over your head for years if it no longer inspires you.