Maybe this has happened to you. There’s a glimmer of a new idea so attractive to you that it keeps you awake. It’s a winner. It’s a best seller. You don’t know all the details or even how it ends, but it’s the best idea you ever had.
A week later, it seems ridiculous and you’re embarrassed that you entertained letting it develop.
What went wrong? My guess is you did one of these things:
- You told someone your idea while it was incomplete. I understand the impulse. The ultimate goal of writing is to share it (most of the time). The problem with sharing it too early is that it becomes contaminated with reactions and suggestions before you have any confidence in it. Even if the reactions and suggestions are positive and full of the best intentions, it will derail the original vision. My rule for myself is not to share anything until I have half of a first draft written. At least.
- You applied tough self-discipline too soon. Maybe you were afraid you would lose your enthusiasm or forget the details that were magically appearing. Whatever the reason, you forced yourself to write it, and it didn’t live up to your expectations. Ideas have to incubate. Then crawl, Then walk. Then run. It can’t be rushed.
- You tried to shape it in the most marketable way. If you’ve been critiqued by professionals, it is difficult to ignore what you’ve learned. Certain genres have certain rules. You want your new idea to be successful. However, trying to force it into a mold will end in disappointment. Trust the original thought. Editing is so far away when you’re dealing with a delicate drop of inspiration.
- You attempted perfection in the first draft. I am not a fan of editing as you go, and this is why–it makes your exciting, new idea a burden. After years of ideas losing their momentum, I’ve learned to accept that my first draft will be bad. But the idea will still be good when I return to rewrite and edit it.
Inspiration is a precious phenomenon. Do whatever you must to guard your good ideas.
