How do you decide what story idea to write? (With Taylor Bennett!)

Taylor: I have so many ideas crammed in my head, sometimes I’m surprised they don’t start spilling out of my ears!! I keep track of my story ideas by (this is a little strange) making a Pinterest aesthetic board for each one. Whenever I get an idea, which I usually fall instantly in love with, I set aside a bit of free time to create a board filled with images that get my creative juices flowing. Usually, this is enough to get me excited about the story, but not so excited that I’m distracted.

If I do end up being so excited that I get distracted, I might give myself a small chunk of “writing time” to write a sloppy synopsis–just enough to get my ideas on the page, but not so much that I take away too much time from whatever I’m working on at that moment. If I’m having a hard time putting the synopsis away, I pray over it. If it’s an idea that’s meant to be explored, I trust that I’ll still be just as excited about it when I actually have time to devote to the idea.

Shan: We’re always learning, yes? I don’t have a bit of magical advice for this topic, though I wish I did. I’m currently moving back and forth between two projects and it’s not ideal for me. At some point you’ll have to commit and once you do, you need to see it through. For me, because I have two books completed and out on sub, I’ve given myself the freedom to move back and forth for a time. But I will need to buckle down soon. Knowing which season you’re in is important and giving yourself the freedom to rebel against your own rules can be healthy for your writing.

Jill: Uhm . . . I’m really bad at this. There is this sort of honeymoon thing that happens when a new story idea grips me. I can’t think of anything but that new idea. And if I’m working on another book, that’s BIG trouble. Because then I don’t want to work on the old book. The old book is boring. It’s hard. And I’d really rather play with that new idea that’s got me all starry-eyed. There’s only one way to survive this. Discipline. If I’ve chosen an idea, and I’ve been writing it and have set a deadline for myself, then I will not allow myself to give up. I might give myself a few days off to play with the new idea, to think it through and write it down. Because if it’s a really good idea, I don’t want to forget any of it. But then I’ll crack my knuckles and get back to work.

Choosing which idea to write is a harder question to answer. I have SO MANY IDEAS AND I LOVE THEM ALL ARGH! I’m constantly making lists of what I’m trying to finish and what I want to write next. At some point, I will choose, or sometimes I’m lucky and and editor will buy something and choose for me. If not, then I have to decide which idea I’m the most excited about. And I also consider which idea will appeal to the widest audience. I’ve written a lot of risky books, and that’s okay some of the time, but for me, that also means that after a risky challenging project, it might be time to write something a little more safe that will appeal to the masses. So I take that into consideration as well.

Stephanie: I’ve learned that good ideas tend to be “sticky” ideas. Not only is it hard for me to stop thinking about it, but it also attracts lots of other ideas or possibilities. Sometimes they arrive at a very convenient time, but often it’s when I need to be focusing on something else.

When that happens, my response is similar to Taylor’s. I write a blurb or synopsis about my idea. I usually give myself an allowance of time, and then I make myself go back to what I’m supposed to be working on. This has worked really well for me over the years.