Aug 24 2007
The idea is easy. The writing is scary.
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It’s a common question for writers: “Where do you get your ideas?” I don’t get it. I think getting ideas for things to write about is easy. So far I’ve got ideas for a themed collection of short stories, a few short story standalones, a series of novels (yes, a series!), a few magazine articles, and 2 or 3 nonfiction books (one of which I got while doing some prelimenary research for another). And I keep coming up with more.
I came up with a couple yesterday while I was mowing the grass.
And what do I do with these ideas? I dutifully jot them down in my notebook until I can sketch out a rough outline or synopsis, and then…and then…
And then I work on more ideas. Because it’s easy. It’s the writing that’s scary.
Think about it: There’s no risk in coming up with ideas. There’s no real work in coming up with ideas. “Hm, that’d be a good story (jot jot jot)” is pretty much the extent of it.
The real work, and the real risk, comes in trying to turn the idea into a real, written product. It’s in the writing that I, the writer, can fall flat on my face. What if I take my great idea and turn it into a lousy story, or book, or whatever? What if it’s just no good? What if I’m a no good writer?
The finished product can be a real stinker, but a great idea is always a great idea. As long as I’m just dealing in the ideas, I don’t have to face my fear of failing.
That’s what it comes down to, doesn’t it? Fear. Fear of being no good. Being laughed at for my efforts. (”Um, yeah. Don’t give up your day job.”) Sticking with idea generating is safe.
But, this blog isn’t called “The Making of an Ideator,” it’s called “The Making of an Writer.” As long as I’m not writing, I’m failing to become a writer. (Duh.)
So what’s it going to be? Do I let the fear continue to win, keep jotting down ideas and pretending it’s real writing? Or do I suck it up, sit down, and start filling that screen with words?
PS: Yes, “ideate” is a real word.
One response so far
I’m a professional writer and every time I sit down to write (and this is after 5 years) I still feel terrified and want to wriggle out of having to write.
And yes, I often start with great ideas. It doesn’t lessen the terror.
I loved this: “The finished product can be a real stinker, but a great idea is always a great idea. As long as I’m just dealing in the ideas, I don’t have to face my fear of failing.”
Thanks so much for this blog post!