Over the years, many writers have asked me for advice about what their next project should be. They’ll have a few ideas and want me to weigh in what I think is the most selling or commercial, which might get them a big advance. Even though I’ve been working in publishing for over 30 years, I never quite know what to say. I’ve always believed that the execution was far more important than any given idea. And I basically give the same answer: do what you feel most passionate about. It sounds sort of twee, but I really mean it. For the first time in my own writing life, I don’t know what to do next. It’s an awful feeling. I have too many ideas. If I had a shrink, I imagine she’d say that I need to sit with the feeling. Or at least that’s what she used to say about everything before I quit. It’s probably good advice, but I hated it then and I hate it now.
How do you figure out what to do next?
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Betsy Lerner 
Whatever is the loudest in my head! Whatever you choose, it will, no doubt, be great!
the squeaky wheel, yes. I know that sound.
Betsy, Don’t « sit ». Do things that you enjoy AND once the ideas start coming, take warm showers. Something about running water . . .
At 73, I have lots of projects on the back burner. If I start writing on one project and can’t get going, I try something else. I also bought a membership to publishers marketplace looking for an agent. It’s inspiring (and depressing) reading pitches of books already in the pipeline.
If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there. – George Harrison’s “Any Road”
love
My problem is I’m passionate about everything! Also, I’m a/n (over)thinker. Too many ideas, lots of starts, and not enough finishing. Maybe I “sit with” my ideas too much and for too long. There’s this excellent book you may want to read that really helps me when I’m stuck: The Forest for the Trees😉
(Great book and thanks for writing it!)
LOL and thank you!
It’s trial and error. You kind of know when you start writing if it’s working or not. I’ve written 10K words and understood it wasn’t working. I’ve spent 3 months researching one story idea, only to abandon it because it felt wrong to base a story on someone’s family tragedy. It makes me nervous when days turn into weeks without any real productive progress, as I weed through the idea folder. God forbid I resort to the folder titled “Bad Book Ideas.” (yes, I have one)
delete “bad” in front of book ideas.
Terrible Book Ideas? Haha. (Done)
Bonnie Shimko
I’m 82. The only thing I have left to write is a memoir (think “Sybil” and the green kitchen) and the decades I spent with shrinks who thought I was making the whole thing up. Instead of revisiting the yuck that won’t be buried until I am, I read other people’s work, watch movies, and listen to folk music. It’s a good life. !
you are my hero
2Ns
I got nothin’
After hundreds of newspaper columns I’m out of 750 to 1200 word weekly recollections that inform and amuse and are eventually used to line birdcages. Not having a deadline is like someone opening the door of the ‘ big house’ which sets me free.It’s great but ….WTF is next?
I can so relate and have no original thoughts on the subject. But the sage, Betsy Lerner, says pick one and get on with it. (Paraphrased) 🙂
Touché and ouch.
“How do you figure out what to do next?”
I don’t figure it out. Like most creative people, I’ve always had way more projects and ideas than I could deal with. I never have any problem finding one to work on.
Sometimes it’s just a matter of getting started. Once I’ve done that, the project builds up its own momentum.
Sometimes it’s a matter of realizing that the project is a failure and must be abandoned. But if the thing to do next is to abandon a project, even one I’ve spent years on, then, even though it feels both bad and good to do that, I do it. There’s always something else to do.
The thing about being a writer is, there’s always something to write. Always. It doesn’t have to be a big thing. It doesn’t have to be important. All I ask of myself is that I make it good. Whatever it is, even a comment on a blog post. All I need are the words and the will to use them well.
Thank you. Amen.
“It doesn’t have to be a big thing. It doesn’t have to be important.” Plus, Betsy’s ” I’ve always believed that the execution was far more important than any given idea.”
Seinfeld is proof this is true.
I’ve always found flipping a coin helps get one out of the rut of overthinking and gives you a clear-cut decision. And if it’s not the best decision, you’ll know, and throw the coin away.