Once, when I was getting back into writing again after a long break, my husband asked what I wanted for Christmas. “Writing books,” I said, and invited him to check my long Amazon wish-list. Christmas Day came, and yes, he’d bought me a writing book, though not one on my list.
Instead, he got me a book on prompts for writers who have no idea what to write about, because it had better reviews than any of the books I wanted! Then he wondered why I thanked him for the kind thought and told him how much I appreciated it, but never opened the book.
I would hate to have no ideas for stories. It must be horrible, to want to write but not know what or where to start. As frustrating as jumping and jumping to try to catch the string of that red balloon before it floats away, but it stays just out of reach.
But I have the opposite problem.
Too many ideas.
Story ideas are everywhere. On my Facebook newsfeed, in the newspapers, in accidentally overheard conversations (those people who talk too loud on the bus or train, or in the doctor’s waiting room!). Often they just appear out of nowhere, gifts from God. But I write too slow to keep up with all my ideas, and already have enough story outlines roughed out to keep me busy till around 2050!
It’s a real problem for me. Every new story idea that comes along seems sooooo much better than the one I’m working on. Shiny New Story Syndrome.
I don’t think only writers have it, I’m sure crafters and just about all creative people have the same thing. Following the lure of the shiny new project leads to a workroom cluttered with UFOs (UnFinished Objects), or a hard drive cluttered with unfinished stories.
And oh my, don’t those unfinished things nag at us?
In the past six months, I have started and abandoned so many stories. Then gone back to the old one when the shiny new idea lost its shine after a few chapters. Then fallen for the lure of another shiny story…
Which is why with novellas for two summer boxed sets and a multi-author project launching in July all due soon, I find myself with three unfinished stories, lots of shiny ideas, and looming deadlines! Eep! And all the unfinished stories are for the first set, and won’t really fit the other projects. First I thought I’d do one, then I switched to another, then back to the original story, then a whole new story came along.
Which one will I finish for the first boxed set?
- A reluctant princess, now a doctor in New York, duty-bound to remain in her home country when a temporary marriage of convenience to her first love is the only way to save it from tumbling into anarchy.
- A Hollywood star hides out as a live-in volunteer in a homeless shelter when a career-wrecking scandal erupts while she’s in London for a friend’s wedding – and then finds herself falling for the shelter manager.
- A widowed garden designer determined to build a garden in memory of her husband at a prestigious flower show has to work with the disgraced celebrity gardener whose business failure almost ended her chance, if she’s to get the garden finished in time.
Right now, I’m working on #1, as the newest and still shiniest story. The others will get written too, eventually. Maybe next spring? LOL, along with the sequel to #1, which popped into my mind too!
So, please help me! What are your tips for maintaining focus when you’re being pulled in too many directions? Or please share what is your biggest UnFinished Object! One commenter before May 7th will be chosen at random to win an ebook copy of whichever book I finish first. bThis couple will be on the cover, if I choose the princess story. :)
To see all my published books (I do manage to finish some!) just click on the image.
USA Today bestselling author Autumn Macarthur writes romances full of faith and hope, celebrating God's love as well as a man and a woman finding their happily ever after. She prays they’ll warm your heart and make you smile. An Australian transplanted to Britain, Autumn lives just north of London with her lovely English husband and three demanding cats, in a very small house with a teensy tiny garden. She loves talking to readers, so please get in touch! And get a free Christian romance novella when you sign up for her reader newsletter at http://bit.ly/Autumnsubscribe
“Shiny New Story Syndrome.” Finally, a diagnosis for my problem! Thank you, Autumn. :) Staying focused is one of my biggest problems, but going off-line is my best cure. All three of your story ideas sound like fun. Good luck!
HI Autumn, do the princess story- it sounds great!!
Haha, unfinished projects! I started my Masters when my youngest started at kinder, then went back to work full time- and then the Master’s thesis got put waaaaay on hold- maybe it will get finished when the boys finish school (considering the youngest is only in grade 1….!) I have to make lists, I have to tackle the most urgent things first or something invariably gets left behind (and I have to keep my Kindle hidden away until my designated reading time:)
Blessings for the writing projects:)
Hi Autumn! As a retired teacher and pastor’s wife, while working full time and caring for my parents I made lists, so I could prioritize. Somehow I am always more motivated under pressure. Best wishes on your writing projects.
Hi Autumn! I enjoyed reading about your many ideas. I cannot wait to see how your first choice turns out!
The Christian walk is always one of working towards balance. God gave you your creativity, but it can become your enemy too, when it stops your forward progress.
His leading always comes with peace! Sounds like you aren’t operating in that as much as you’d like.
I only find God’s peace when I “take the time” to start each day communing with God. He helps me prioritize my responsibilities, wants & desires. He’s never in a hurry, but always on time, helping me focus—specially when I’m overwhelmed.
Hi Autumn! I think #1 sounds like a great story.
Being a crafter, I have many UFOs in my craft room, in part because I have so many interests. Sometimes to get my focus back, I clean my craft room and reorganize. I’m even thinking of changing how I scrap so that getting more caught up doesn’t seem so overwhelming. For me, it really comes down to priorities. My crafting takes a place after my Bible Studies, family and work commitments. Crafting is me time, when I recharge and use a different part of my brain.
For my source of income (I’m an accountant), each day I look at what needs to be done and prioritize. Yes, it does change during the day, but it allows me to focus when I have multiple projects in process.
I’m looking forward to your next release :)
Oh, is THAT why I’ve been poking at an idea for a new series that I can’t realistically start for over a year? I also have three stories started and am dragging my heels on the one I’m furthest into. Maybe I should switch to the second one (now THAT sounds more fun LOL) as they are both due not that far apart. Hmm.
Happy choosing!
Hi Autumn,
This story with the doctor sounds really fun and cute. I’m not a writer so I don’t know how to really help you. The only thing I do is write a list down and try to stay on task. I make myself do what’s on the list before I can sit down and get lost in my reading. But even my reading can be a problem because you all write sooooo many wonderful books and I’m reading then another one comes up and then another one and so on….. My TBR list has JUMPED to HUGH size this year. I don’t have a list or pile I have a BOOK CASE or LIBRARY! Now it’s “What do I read first!” UGH!
Sorry I can’t be more help!
I like Esther’s advice above, plus making lists and sticking to them! The princess/doctor idea does sound enticing!
I love all the story ideas, though anything with a princess is sure to grab my attention first, lol. I’m pretty lazy about anything right now, and can’t really think of anything that I have to do aside from taking kids to and from school and anything they have that I need to take them to…like appts. I am with Marylin, I have hundreds of books on my kindle waiting to be read, though those that get first billing are complete sets I own as I hate to not be able to read a complete series.
I don’t have any tips for keeping focus. I make lists then promptly ignore them! I’m a quilter so my biggest UFO is an intricate quilt top that I painstakingly pieced. Now I have to work up the courage to quilt it!
Thanks Jill! Yes, that does seem to be the only answer. If only we could somehow go offline from all the rest of the world for a few days, too! ;)
I like the princess story too! Something very different for me. :)
I hope you do get that Masters thesis completed some day. Sounds like my degree!
Lists are a huge help! Sometimes there’s so much going on it’s hard to prioritise, but just the process of making a list can be calming and help things feel that bit less chaotic.
I’ve always been a last minute type girl. Worked fine for term papers, not so well for books! ;)
I hope you enjoy reading it! And the others someday too, unless they get elbowed off the list by newer ideas. :)
That is so true, Esther. My daily journalling time is always about time with God, opening my heart and mind to His priorities for me. I’m very grateful He blessed me with the idea for the story I ended up focusing on, which suddenly appeared. I think He was also being kind to me – during the time I was indecisive, jumping from story to story, I wasn’t well enough to write. So he waited til I recovered somewhat to give me the story He really wanted me to write for Him. :)
I hope you enjoy it, Julianne! It would be a rare crafter who doesn’t have at least a few of those UFO’s. :)
It does all come down to prioritising.
LOL, you too, Valerie! Sometimes those stories just nag at us and demand to be written!
I’m getting to see why God made “Flow” my word for the year. I make my plans, then He nudges me to something different!
It’s not just a writer problem, we all have it. And you are so right, prioritising and writing a list are coming up top in how people manage!
Um, and let’s not mention TBR piles. Mine is seriously scary!
I like that advice too! :)
I’m so glad people are saying the princess story, because that’s the one I feel guided to write. At the time I wrote the post (two weeks ago!), I wasn’t clear. God blessed me with a new story idea, but my human logic was telling me I’d be nuts to change story with the deadline date so near! But once I committed to it, I have a lot more peace. :)
Looking after the kiddos is probably more than enough to be doing, for most busy Moms! <3
I hear a few people say that about series, that they prefer not to read any books till they're complete.
I hope you can get that beautiful quilt finished some day, Sherri! Quilting is such a huge task. I’m guessing the quilting can take longer than the piecing? My mother used to quilt, and has given me some wonderful quilts. One, my wedding present, is beautifully hand quilted. But I have never dared put it on the bed, because we have cats who tend to claw at everything. The thought of that lovely quilting being pulled when my cat catches his claw in it… no way!
I started working on a novel based on my Father’s service in the Pacific during WWII based on letters he wrote my grandmother and his writingsEverytime I pick it up it becomes something else.
Sounds like you have three great story options to choose from. I have unfinished projects sitting all around my house. Usually some get finished when I need to clean and tidy up before company comes over or I’m getting ready to leave town.
That’s always a good motivation, Jessica!
I have deadlines that in theory should function the same, but don’t always motivate me soon enough to avoid that last minute rush. :)
LOL, I know that feeling, too. I do think we need to trust God and His leading and let the story find it’s own shape. When I get stuck, usually it’s because I’m trying to force my story to be what it’s not!
Still not quite over the bad habit of clinging to my plans when I need to be embracing God’s!)
For you, it sounds like it might be time away from the project that makes you see it differently each time. I hope you finish it – it sounds a very worthwhile story.
What a terrific post, Autumn! I allow myself to work on the shiny new story at the end of the day when I have devoted the requisite number of hours to my WIP. I like working on several things at once.
And you are soooo right. I never lack for ideas. Only time. :) The cover of your release is absolutemon gorgeous.
Ha! I thought that was a cover. It’s a meme. Still gorgeous and I did click on it. So it did its job.
How exciting to hear there are new stories cooking and new books coming. I’ve re-read some Love in Store books recently as I really like your writing style and those are some of my favorites (and I’m pretty sure book number 2, Hollywood star in London shelter is another must read–wonder which one of the siblings is getting married… probably Nick?!).
No tips for maintaining focus as I do struggle with that too. I had a book chapter that was due in December that I still haven’t started and I have to write today to the editor and ask for another extension… feels lame, but I can’t seem to figure out what to write as they want me to leave my comfort zone and write about something else entirely. I have another book chapter due today that I’m still unsure about the final version, but it’s not like I have enough time to make the changes I want (no extension for this one).
I would get a lot more done if I would prioritize. I seem to work better under pressure and find myself in night owl status many times right before I need to finish something. Making lists with time frames seem to help some. Mostly I’m trying to crochet a gift and get it finished in time for a birthday or Christmas gift.
I do the same! I’ve prayed so many times to work slow and steady on a project instead of pulling all-nighters to get it done right up against the deadline!
Ooh, crochet! I must go see if you have any photos! I admit to being a very bad crafter, and an enthusiastic but unskilled sewist. I love seeing the wonderful things other people make!
I have a Pinterest Board titled Things I Have Made.
I’ll go look! Thanks for the link! :)