When New Ideas Strike
Posted by annastan on February 26th, 2010. Filed under: WIP, Writing Rants.For the past week, I’ve been happily working on a revision of my fairy tale retelling, making slow but steady progress. Then, the other night, I was hit with an idea for a new story, a funny, exciting one set in space. The initial idea was immediately followed by other ideas: characters, plot twists, etc. Normally story ideas are little more than vague images for me at the beginning, but this idea was like a movie playing in my head. I ran to my computer and wrote a synopsis of the story before the idea slipped away.
![lightbulb_idea[1]](http://www.annastan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/lightbulb_idea1.jpg "lightbulb_idea[1]")
After I was done with the synopsis, I stared at it for a while, wondering when on earth I’d have time to work on a new project. I wasn’t about to put aside my revision for a shiny new idea (though it was tempting). But could I possibly find the time to work on both at once? Finally, I made a deal with myself. On days when I make significant progress on my revision, I can go ahead and work on the shiny new idea. But I’m not allowed to focus exclusively on the new idea until the revision is done. It was a hard bargain to agree to, but I think it’s a necessary one.
What do you do when new ideas strike? How do you fit them in with your other WIPs?
February 26th, 2010 at 8:22 am
Where can I get me one of those light bulbs?
February 26th, 2010 at 8:27 am
At the Shiny New Idea store, of course!
February 26th, 2010 at 8:32 am
If I’m especially disciplined when a shiny new idea pops up in the middle of the old one, I just write down/type up enough notes to keep the idea from slipping away.
If I’m not having much luck with what I’m working on, it’s a different story. I have been known to look up an hour later and realize I’ve written, and revised, 500 words. Minimum.
And then the new project seems so much more interesting than the old one that nobody’s going to want anyway…
February 26th, 2010 at 8:49 am
I collect ideas! Love them! But I’ve learned the hard way (b/c I’m a renowned procrastinator) that I have to push them away or else I’ll have a drawer full of half-written manuscripts!
February 26th, 2010 at 8:55 am
I let them enter, and get down the new idea as fully as possible. I do like to work on more than one thing–I’m good at compartmentalizing. If one WIP has hit a wall and I just can’t get through, I work on the other. It tricks the little critical part of my brain and keeps him busy, because I find if I’m working on one project, solutions open up for the other. The only exception here is if the revision is due and your editor is waiting for it. Then all of the above goes out the window.
February 26th, 2010 at 9:24 am
I like to draft something and revise something different at the same time, since they are two very different creative processes, so I did that. The problem is that I draft much, much faster than I revise. So, now I have two works in revision. So, I’m back to just working on revising. Because I’m going to end up with an endless queue of works that need revision, if I keep this up. But, I like the idea of awarding yourself for good revision days.
February 26th, 2010 at 9:38 am
Anne, I’ve definitely been there! It’s fun to have two projects to work on, but it can get easy to get caught up in one and abandon the other. That’s why I’ve decided to be strict with myself this time!
Karen, I actually don’t get ideas that often, so when I do I want to jump on them right away. But I also have a few abandoned manuscripts sitting around, a result of shiny new idea syndrome!
Andrea, I like having a couple projects to work on too (as your post today said, it’s good to have a backup sock!) but I’ve found that if I go with the one that’s calling loudest to me, I wind up neglecting the other one. Because I do want to get this revision back to my agent asap, I’m thinking of it as a top priority.
Heather, I like having projects at different stages too. But, like you, I’ve often run into the two-projects-in-revision stage and it’s brutal! I’m trying to avoid that this time around.
February 26th, 2010 at 9:59 am
I’m a firm believer that brains work on things back stage, so I just give my idea a little love once in awhile and let it grow on it’s own. A little benign neglect, I like to call it.
But I have to admit I love revising and drafting stresses me out!
February 26th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Like another commenter said, I’ve learned from experience I need to keep plugging on revisions or they won’t get done. If I switch to something new then I end up with TWO stories that need to be revised! Not worth it. But I’ve never worked on two projects simultaneously. Let us know how it goes.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
I do the same exact thing Anna. If I’ve completed a good amount of work on revisions during the day, I’ll allow time for new ideas at night. Thanks for commenting on my interview at Heather’s. We were out of power all day, so I just got around to answering questions.
February 27th, 2010 at 6:35 am
Tina, I love the idea of “benign neglect”! I’m also much more into revising than am I into drafting. Once I have a draft, then the real fun begins.
MG, I like to have a couple of projects going at once, but I try to make sure they’re in different stages. Two manuscripts in full-on revision can be very draining!
Laura, yay we’re process twins! I’m glad your power is finally back on!
February 27th, 2010 at 8:16 am
This hasn’t been an issue until lately as I’ve been so wrapped up in my ms, no new ideas have squeaked past the ms bubble in my head.
But then I got two new ones this week and I’m terrified! What gives? Why am I scared of starting something new? Of course, this means war. ;D Now I HAVE to write this thing or I’ll be paralyzed and unable to do anything.
February 27th, 2010 at 8:26 am
Victoria, this DOES mean war! You need to show those ideas who’s boss!
Good luck with it.
February 27th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Books are like lovers. I say, sometimes you gotta go with the passion.
New Idea struck like lightning in early February. I was deep into completing a novel begun in NANOWRIMO ’09, sequel to my first indy-published YA fantasy. Fans had begged for the next book in the series, a huge motivation, but no deadline.
Then the voice and hook for another story suddenly jumped in, full force, like Athena from Zeus’ forehead. I’d made several attempts to shape the same story, but it had never felt right. Until now.
This story demanded I pay attention. I’m now at 16k. The old story will get her due, once this passionate affair has been satisfied.
February 28th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
I forgot to come back with a real reply. I get new ideas all the time, they are frustrating, actually. I always record the idea into my phone and then try to forget about it until I am ready to let it out.
February 28th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
I can’t, Anna! My new ideas don’t like to share me with anyone
February 28th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Jon, that’s a good idea to put your ideas into your phone – then you can access them whenever you need some inspiration. I can see how that would be a bit annoying, though. Sometimes we can only handle so many ideas at once!
PJ, I think it’s cute that your ideas are so possessive of you.
Sometimes I wish I could just focus on one thing at a time, but I think having a couple things going at once actually keeps me from getting stuck. Happy writing!
March 1st, 2010 at 12:35 pm
I make notes on the new idea during time that’s not normal “writing time.” Then it goes into my new idea folder. The next project I work on doesn’t necessarily come out of that folder, but that’s okay. It’s assurance that there are more books I can write.