Ideas for when you have too many ideas (Too many novels, too little time)

By Neil Bailey

Weaving ideas together

So here I am again. Another idea. Another shiny, exciting, completely unplanned story that’s marched into my brain shouting, “Write me next! You know you want to."

Sound familiar?

You try to ignore it. You tell yourself, “No. I’m busy with my current work in progress. I will not be distracted.” You scream to your new shiny idea like Gandalf, "You shall not pass!"

But before you know it, you’ve opened a new document. You've spent hours coming up with a clever name for the novel, and you're 1,200 words deep in a completely new plot outline that you definitely weren’t supposed to be writing.

If you’re a writer, often the real challenge isn’t having ideas. It’s choosing which one to focus on without constantly feeling temptation to write all the others. So let’s talk about how to deal with idea overload.

I'm covering ideas that have come to my mind as I thought about this blog post. Some I do, some I don’t, but may help you. As with any 'guidance' on the internet, use the ones that work for you.

Idea 1: Capture everything

The first rule of idea management (doesn't that sound like a grand label for it) is write everything down. Every single spark, no matter how vague, weird, or half-formed. Don’t rely on memory, "Your thoughts betray you!" - Luke Skywalker.

Create a simple “idea dump”. This could be a notebook, a Google Doc, a notes app, or a stack of index cards in a shoebox. The format doesn’t matter as long as you can add to it quickly.

When a new idea hits, jot it down without judgment. Just a few lines. Enough to remind you what it was later.

For example:

• “Psychic archaeologist accidentally unearths an ancient mind parasite.”

• “Children’s adventure with an invisible postman and time-travelling stamps.”

• “Thriller where all the victims are named after chess pieces.”

  
  

Done. Logged. Out of your head. Now you can go back to what you were meant to be writing without that panicky feeling that you’re losing something brilliant. It’s simply parking your ideas safely until you’re ready to take them for a proper spin.

Idea 2: Let them breathe

New ideas feel exciting. They sparkle. They whisper promises of taking you to new places. But that’s because they haven’t had time to get tough yet.

When an idea feels too tempting to ignore, resist the urge to jump in immediately. Give it time to breathe. Put it on your “cooling shelf” somewhere you can let it sit for a few weeks or months.

Then, when you come back, see if it still excites you. Some ideas fade once the initial adrenaline wears off. Others will grow stronger, whispering, “Hey, remember me?” Those are the ones worth developing.

This little waiting period is a brilliant filter. It separates short-lived infatuation from genuine creative connection.

Idea 3: Ask why do I want to write this?

Sometimes, we chase ideas because they feel “marketable” or because we’ve seen something similar do well. But writing a novel takes months or years. If your only reason for writing it is “it might sell,” you may lose steam.

So ask yourself why each idea matters to you.

Is it fun? Is it scary? Does it explore a theme that won’t leave you alone? Does it make you laugh, or feel something deeply?

If an idea excites you even after you think about the slog of editing, the rewrites, the endless coffee and doubt, that’s a strong sign it’s got legs.

On the other hand, if your only motivation is “people would probably like this,” it might not carry you through the hard times.

Not every idea is meant to become a full novel. Some are meant to stay as scribbles in a notebook, or evolve into short stories, or inspire something completely different later on. This latter point happens a lot for me.

The goal isn’t to write every idea. The goal is to write the right idea, right now.

The fact that your brain keeps producing more just means you’re creative. That’s a good problem to have.

Idea 4: Rank them (gut first, logic second)

Once you’ve got a pile of ideas, start ranking them. Don’t overthink this, go with your gut first.

Which one makes your heart beat faster? Which one feels alive when you picture it?

That’s your emotional ranking.

Then apply a bit of logic. Consider:

• Which one do you actually have the skills, knowledge or research time for right now?

• Which one fits your current energy level? (A massive epic might not be ideal if you’re exhausted. A light-hearted comedy might be perfect.)

  
  

You’re not killing the others by choosing one. You’re just saying, “You’ll have your turn later.” It’s project management for dreamers.

Idea 5: Test drive the top ideas

Still can’t decide? Give your top two or three a short “test drive.”

Write a single scene, a character sketch, or a page of dialogue from each. You’ll know pretty quickly which one feels right in your hands.

I tend to write the first chapter and then see how it feels. Sometimes the story idea is great, in my humble opinion, but I couldn’t make a whole novel out of it. In these cases the idea may be worth merging with another (see idea 11).

One idea might sound great in your head but fall flat on the page. Another might surprise you by flowing naturally. Go where the energy is. Writing should feel like curiosity, not obligation.

Idea 6: Make peace with the ones you’re not writing (Yet)

Here’s the truth: every project teaches you something that makes the next one better. Even if you don’t pick the “perfect” idea first, you’re not wasting time. You’re building skill, stamina, and style. One of my ideas is 40k words in. Will I finish it? I don’t know but it’s taught me a lot.

And when you finally circle back to that other idea, you’ll be able to do it justice.

So give yourself permission not to do everything at once. Creativity isn’t a race. It’s a very long, very weird journey full of detours. And that’s part of the fun.

Idea 7: Manage your creative energy like a resource

Think of your creativity as a battery. Every project you start drains some of it. If you scatter your energy across five unfinished novels, you’ll end up with a lot of half-charged ideas and no completed books.

I still fall foul of this one sometimes. I can be so busy working on several ideas at once I’m not really making headway on any of them.

However this is where my head can bring up differences compared to some. My Autistic head jumps focus quite often with a storyline or scene I get fixated on. Currently I am working on three novels at once so I can focus on the story that fits with where my head is in the moment. But I do accept that there will come a time when I’ll need to choose one to concentrate on to get it completed.

Whatever you are working on, focus is your friend.

That doesn’t mean forcing yourself to grind through when you’re burnt out. It means choosing wisely where to direct your creative power.

Here are a few practical ways to do that:

• Set micro-goals: Instead of “finish the novel,” aim for “write one scene today” or “finish chapter two this week.”

• Protect writing time: Even if it’s just 30 minutes a day, or even 30 mins a week, treat it like an appointment. We all have lives that need managing. Don’t beat yourself up for not always getting words written.

• Say no to distractions disguised as productivity: Endless research, tweaking chapter one for the hundredth time, or planning book covers before you’ve finished the draft, they can be traps if it’s not part of your writing process.

  
  

Your time is limited. Spend it where it counts.

Idea 8: Use the “creative back burner”

Just because you’re not actively writing an idea doesn’t mean it has to vanish. You can keep it gently simmering on the back burner.

Every now and then, when inspiration strikes, you can add a note or a line of dialogue to your idea file. No pressure. No deadlines. Just keeping it alive without letting it take over your main project.

That way, you get the satisfaction of nurturing your ideas without sabotaging your focus.

Idea 9: Revisit your list occasionally

Over time, some ideas will fade. Others will glow brighter. That’s perfectly natural.

Every few weeks or months, go through your ideas and see what still sparks excitement. Some might feel outdated. Some might merge into each other, two smaller ideas combining into one stronger concept.

You’ll probably find that the list becomes more refined over time. The real gems rise to the top, and the rest fade into interesting footnotes of your creative evolution.

And if one of those old ideas suddenly starts screaming at you to be written, maybe that’s your next project waiting patiently for its turn.

Idea 10: Beware of the “new shiny” trap

One of your new ideas is burning a hole in your mind, begging to be written. I can tell. I can hear it from here.

Before you jump ship, ask yourself honestly, am I bored because the current story is genuinely broken, or because I’m hitting the hard middle part and my brain wants something easier?

If it’s the latter, stay put. The middle of a novel is where many a writer wants to run away. Push through, even if you have to drag yourself kicking and screaming. Finishing is a skill in itself.

New Shiny Syndrome never goes away, but you can learn to tame it.

Idea 11: If you really can’t choose...

Sometimes, two or three ideas might actually belong together.

For instance:

• That ghost story and that historical mystery? Combine them into a dual timeline novel.

• The detective plot and that strange weather phenomenon idea? Maybe the weather is the clue.

• The children’s adventure and the time travel idea? Perfect blend.

  
  

When you spot compatible themes, settings, or characters, don’t be afraid to merge them. Some of the best books come from creative mash-ups that sound ridiculous at first but somehow work perfectly.

This has definitely happened to me a few times.

The Takeaway

Having too many ideas isn’t a curse. It’s proof that your imagination is alive and well. The trick is learning to manage it so you don’t end up paralysed by choice.

Capture everything. Let it breathe. Choose one. Commit. And trust that the others will wait patiently for their turn in the spotlight.