From "I'm Spitballing Here" to a Clear Plan: How Writers Find Their Next Big Project
Where you are now:
Sitting across from the writer I was coaching, I listened to her go through the list of ideas that she had for her book. She had a huge body of knowledge and decades of experience, and she was having trouble narrowing it down to one cohesive idea. "I'm spitballing here," she admitted.
I love meeting with a client who has lots of ideas. It shows me that they have been doing the work, and often for a very long time. They know what they want to write about, they just don't know if it is the "right" topic, which leaves them questioning the direction they should take their book.
And then one idea becomes ten ideas. What starts off as a pamphlet becomes a novel, or what starts off as a children's book becomes a series. There is this big vision, but it's held back from ever getting started by doubt. By the fear of this book becoming "just another project" instead of the expert guide it has the potential to be.
Why Every Good Idea Turns Into Ten Bigger Ideas
First of all I want to give you permission to explore. Start an ideas journal. Wander through one idea to the next. Start a project, put it down to work on another, and pick it up again. Time and exploration will give your ideas depth. Creativity is not something to control, it is something to unleash!
Creative minds often think in big pictures, and that is a good thing. The key is not to let that big picture scare you. Any big thing can be accomplished in small steps. Instead of letting your big vision hold you back, ask yourself "Where do I start?" Maybe the first logical step is to create a pamphlet. That pamphlet can test out the validity of your idea and create connections for you while you write your book. Instead of trying to make your ideas smaller, break them into small steps.
And if you're not sure what the first step is for you, a writing coach can be the perfect thinking partner for you. Your first call with me is free and can give you a lot of insight into whether your ideas are valid, and what the right starting point is.
The Real Problem Isn't Creativity—It's Clarity
When you feel stuck, or if you're not sure what idea is "right," spend some time sitting with it. It's uncomfortable, especially if you identify as a "doer," but when you sit with that discomfort and you allow yourself to explore the hard questions it leads to growth. And often that problem or question that you were so afraid of isn't that hard to solve afterall.
Because when we try and solve a problem instead of sitting with it can look like:
Coming up with new ideas to avoid examining if your ideas are valid
Overwhelm and self doubt
Profectionism that holds you back from starting
Filling your calendar with other tasks to avoid writing
That means avoidance is causing you real pain and stress. You're not just avoiding writing your book, you're hiding by being busy with other things.
You don't need a better idea, you just need to stop looking at all of your ideas at the same time.
Which Idea is "Right"
Choosing a project does not mean that you are abandoning your other ideas, it just means that you are finding your starting point. A book is not an ending, it is a beginning.
One of my favourite exercises to do when I am having trouble figuring out which idea to run with, is to look to the future.
Imagine it is 10 years from now. Your book has been published and out in the world making an impact for the past 9 years or so. Imagine holding your book in your hands, flipping through the pages. What does it feel like? Is it glossy or matte, thick or thin, hard cover or soft?
How many books have you sold? What are you doing in your author life? Are you speaking? Doing author readings? Teaching the next generation? (feel free to dream as big as you want, this is your dream future! Don't hold back!)
Now imagine you're checking your author email. You have a flood of messages from fans telling you how much your book has changed them. Open one of the emails and imagine what it says.
You can visualize this exercise with your eyes closed, or you can take some time to journal about it, but often it will reveal what book you have the strongest desire to write.
Because it is not about what idea is "right," it's about what ideas is right for you, in this season of your life.
If you're still having trouble figuring it out after doing the above exercise, ask yourself these questions:
Is there an idea that won't leave me alone?
How does each project fit into my current life or business?
What do I want to be known for?
Don't Wait to Feel Ready
Pick an idea. It doesn't have to be the book that changes the world, but you need a starting point. Make a commitment to see the idea through. As you write you will gain clarity, conviction, and faith in your ideas. Most writers I talk to only regret one thing: not starting sooner.
Find a mentor. You don't need to have it all figured out. You can always find someone walking ahead of you that can answer the questions you face as they come up.
Publishing doesn't happen in isolation. A writing coach will be your thinking partner, safe place to share your work, and honest feedback partner. Even before there were writing coaches, publishers offered mentorship through a team of editors and reviewers who often worked with an author to refine their book over the period of a couple of years. Even many of the authors we imagine to be "self-made" like John Grishman and JK Rowling, have a team of agents, editors, publishers, and readers. The view of the secluded writer hiding away at some glorious resort and drumming away at a best seller, is a myth.
You Don't Need More Ideas—You Need a Roadmap
Most people don't struggle because they are incapable, they struggle because they don't know the process.
Writing a book can feel so big. One thing that a lot of writers worry about is where they will find the time to write a book, when in fact most of my writers only spend about 2 dedicated hours per week on their project. It's only a big project when you try and approach it all at once. Break it down into manageable steps and you have a roadmap that you can follow seamlessly.
To create your roadmap
Choose one project.
Clarify the core message.
Break it into milestones.
Create accountability. (a coach is great for this)
Finish before expanding. (the sequel can wait until book 1 is released)
From "I'm Spitballing Here" to "Here's the Plan"
Remember that uncertainty is completely normal, and that indecision that is keeping you stuck is actually a survival mechanism meant to keep you safe. Just remember that your survival brain shouldn't be the "you" that is making long term decisions.
Take some time to regroup, recalibrate, and get back to your core idea. Sit with your ideas for a little bit to just think and focus. Do some visualization about your future, and your books place in it.
And then trust yourself to make the leap. See your idea through to the end knowing you have done the work to gain clarity. Don't feel like you need to have it all figured out, you only need to know the next step to take. And remember, the writers who finish aren't always the ones with the best ideas, they're the ones who stop spitballing long enough to make a plan.
Note: Some outlining and key points from this article were created with the help of AI. The article content, advice, and ideas was created by Human Intelligence.