Are you always coming up with new ideas, rather than choosing one idea to write?
Are you desperate to pick the perfect idea, but never actually commit to any of them?
Today, I’ll help you figure out how to choose a writing idea, not the perfect idea, but the right one for right now. I’ll share my own story along with a simple framework for choosing ideas.
Let’s dive in.
Something I often hear from writers is this:
“I have so many ideas, but I can’t choose which one to write.“
Sometimes this looks like a long list of unfinished projects, all with promise, none brought to the finish line. Other times, the problem is inside a single project: the story could go in so many directions that you keep changing your mind and never reach the end.
But the thing is: there is no single, perfect idea waiting to launch your career. Perfectionism makes us think there is, but it’s an illusion. The only way to end up with a strong piece of work is to pick something, commit, finish it, refine it, and share it.
If you keep waiting for the perfect idea before you start, you’ll wait forever.
That said, some ideas are stronger than others.
So how do you make a smart choice without falling into endless dithering?
Different stages, different choices
The first thing to consider is where you are on your writing journey.
- If you’re starting out (or returning after a long break): you need something realistic and achievable. A complex fantasy series with six books and a vast world might not be the easiest place to begin. Instead, pick something smaller — a short story, a novella, a short film — that you can finish. Finishing builds confidence, skill, and momentum.
- If you’re more experienced: go ahead and aim for your strongest idea. But remember, you don’t have to throw yourself into a huge commitment blind. You can test and refine as you go.
My story: how I chose an idea to write
Not long ago, I faced this dilemma myself. I’d developed animation projects before, but I wanted to create a new series idea. I had several ideas I loved — and I thought they were all brilliant! But I also knew this: if I tried to do them all at once, I’d finish nothing.
So I forced myself to commit to the process of choosing.
- I wrote each idea into a one-page summary. Just enough to capture the essence.
- I shared them. First with trusted writer friends, then with a few industry colleagues. Sharing half-baked ideas used to terrify me — honestly, it took me months to work up the courage to join my first writing group years ago. Feedback felt excruciating. But over time, I’ve learned it’s survivable, and actually essential. Yes, it still stings when people point out flaws. But it’s the only way to sharpen an idea and see what’s working.
- I listened. From the feedback, one idea clearly stood out. I parked the others safely in a folder. And here’s something I’ve learned: once ideas are “parked,” they don’t vanish. Sometimes I return to them and find I’ve outgrown them. Other times, I rediscover one and it still feels strong. Parking gives you breathing space.
- I took it step by step. I didn’t dive in headfirst and try to write a whole series bible immediately. I built it slowly: one page → four pages → ten pages → a test pitch → a more formal verbal pitch. At each stage, I got feedback and questions and refined the idea.
This gradual process not only gave me clarity, but it also gave me milestones—little moments of progress to celebrate, which kept me motivated to keep going.
Last week, the series was optioned by a production company, who are now in the process of applying for development funding! Woo hoo! But I wouldn’t have got here if I hadn’t committed to one idea, if I’d worked on it in isolation, or waited until the idea felt “perfect.”
How to choose a writing idea with this simple framework
Follow this process right now:
- Summarise. Take your list of ideas and write a one- or two-line summary for each.
- Score. Rate each idea out of 10 on:
- Passion — how excited are you?
- Practicality — is it achievable at your current level?
- Marketability — how likely is it to connect with readers?
- Test. Expand your top three ideas into one-page sketches and share them with trusted writer friends or a writing group, or friendly industry folk, if you have those people in your life. (Friends and family can be supportive, but unless they’re avid readers and good at critiquing work, their feedback may not be as useful.)
- Reflect. Journal about your future as a writer — in two, five, or ten years, what kind of writing life do you want? Which idea best aligns with that vision?
- Choose and commit. Pick one idea, park the others, and start developing the chosen one, step by step.
I hope you found that helpful and that you now know how to choose your next idea to write. Do get in touch and let me know how you get on. Also, please share your biggest writing struggle. I might be able to write a blog post to support you.
Extra Resources!
Need some accountability?
Then why not join my FREE Silent Scribes sessions, they happen one a week, usually on Friday mornings at 10am UK time. We all write together for an hour or so – you’ll be amazed at how productive you are. I hope to see you there!
Are you stuck spinning your wheels?
1:1 Writing Coaching
Many writers come to me full of ideas but stuck in overwhelm — unsure which project to commit to, battling procrastination, or losing confidence halfway through. My job as a coach is to help you find clarity, build momentum, and actually finish. My coaching options include everything from a one-off Launchpad Session to ongoing monthly coaching calls – whatever suits you best.
If you’d like to explore how coaching could support you, the best place to start is with a free 30-minute Discovery Call. It’s a relaxed conversation where we’ll talk about your writing, what’s getting in the way, and whether we’d be a good fit to work together.
Book your free Discovery Call here.