Keeping Ideas Alive By Sophfronia Scott At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

When I was writing my first novel there came a moment when I found another idea for a book. It was in a story I'd read in The New York Times about a Japanese family. That was a big moment for me. I could see immediately how I could turn the story into a novel. I knew what themes I wanted to explore, and the message I wanted to express through the telling of the story. I got really excited because in that moment I knew I could work with more ideas, and that I wouldn't write just one book--I would write BOOKS! The bad part, though, is that moment start happening again and again with alarming frequency. And those ideas starting talking to me, wanting my attention! I know I'm not alone in this. Avalanches of ideas are common for writers, but what to do with them so you won't lose them before you can write them?

Here's how I handle my ideas. I hope you can put these strategies at work for you!

Write It Down--But Not Just the Idea
You've probably done this before: you write down the idea when you get it. Then you file it and forget it. Obviously that's not a great result. But you can change the results by changing how you do it. First of all, don't just write down the idea. Write down the reasons why you find the idea compelling. Who do you think will love or benefit from your idea? Where do you see the idea fitting in with the big picture of your writing career? Is the idea your next book? Or is it two books from now?

Think Beyond File Folders
I'm not a big fan of file folders. I put something in a folder, I put the folder in a file drawer and then it's out of sight, out of mind! I also have a hard time finding folders as a draw fills up. For my big ideas I like to use cardboard boxes, a technique I learned from choreographer Twyla Tharp. I label the box, put the idea in it. Then as I'm working on other things and see articles or materials related to the idea, I just add them to the box. The boxes are front and center for me. You can use this concept, or another one that would work best for you. Maybe putting your ideas on a bulletin board is better. The point is to find a way to keep the idea in front of you. If it's in front of you, you'll think about it and it will be alive.

Prioritize and Schedule
When you put the idea down, also put down when you'll start it. Either give it a date or say "I'll start working on this idea when I have finished X project." Keep a list or a calendar so you won't lose track of what you'll be working on next. When you do this, your projects will have a sequence--one will come after another--it won't seem like you have to work on everything all at once.

Complete One Thing, Then Start On The Next
Of course this also means that you have to finish one project to get you to the next idea! This sounds simple, but it requires a lot of discipline. When a project isn't going well, it's easy to get distracted by a new, seemingly uncluttered idea. One coach I know refers to this as "bright, shiny object syndrome"! Don't disrespect your current project this way. If you're really more inspired by the new idea, think of it as a reward: you get to work on it when you finish what you're writing now.

Work Faster
As you work and learn your craft the ideas will just keep coming. If that list is getting longer, don't get overwhelmed--just work faster! And enjoy! You won't have to contend with a blank screen and, even better, you won't have a blank writing career. You'll see you have many books inside you, not just one! Embrace that idea and run with it!

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