I literally got a shiny new idea today. I was so far into my book and it still hit me, and it was like the mirror I was reflecting off of in my head to write the book was shattered. I really needed this video. Thank you, Victoria! *sends shiny new idea to the corner of brooding*
This is the first time I have heard someone openly discuss this topic, I always felt as if it was my fault and that it was because I am not dedicated enough. I do the same thing with my new ideas, I take a few days to figure out enough of the basics of that idea so that my brain stops thinking about it and then I put it to the side. I also loved the analogy with fishing, currently working on draft 1 and it described exactly how I feel! Can't wait to hear more! Ps. Your cat is the Lila Bard of this video, he stole all of my attention!
I know this video is a year old, but I have Shiny New Idea syndrome. Shiny new ideas distract me from other shiny new ideas. I wrote 20,000 words of my current manuscript and I got distracted with a new shiny idea which led to nowhere then the next and the next. Now, I have returned to the story abandoned and jumping ship on this story for over a year. Thank you for this video!!!!
You are so articulate! That may be kinda weird to say, but it's so impressive! Oh the Shiny New Idea! I always have this issue, thank you for all of the advice! And hi Oliver!
I really appreciate the suggestion to think of "shiny idea syndrome" as good because it tells us we're gaining familiarity with our project idea. Favorite moment in this video: 5:18. Pets--gotta love 'em.
This is exactly what I needed to hear. I've been working on my project for years. YEARS. And I keep finding myself getting bored with it every now and then. This explains the feeling perfectly. Thanks for sharing, Victoria!
I don't know about other people, but I found that what helped keep me on track was taking those shiny new ideas and work them into almost spin offs or branches of my main story. It has helped me explore the story world and understand it on a better level. I used to always start to write a high fantasy and want to move on to a new world, but by incorporating those shiny new ideas into the story world I needed to finish, it got a lot easier. It's always nice to hear published authors have the same problems, super encouraging to relate :)
Going through and doing edits on a book before I send it to a friend who edits and boy was this amazing to hear. So often I think in my head that this is tired or dumb, but it's that familiarity rearing its head. Hearing you talk about the shiny new idea was amazing, I've got a folder of story ideas that are blurbs on pages so I don't lose them. Loving this series, so glad you're doing this!
What you said about the first draft being the furthest point away from the idea in your head just blew my mind! it makes so much sense but I've never heard it said like that before and it's totally changed my perspective. thank you! x
I love this! I don't write but I do a lot of handcraft - mostly knitting, sewing, and quilting - and the shiny new idea happens to me all the time in exacting the same way! I also love your cat!
As a reader this is super insightful! I look forward to more videos about the craft and your process! Maybe one day I could interview you for my blog about it all?
I'm so damn grateful for this video because 1) I just finished a first draft and it really is a CHASM away from my idea and 2) I didn't know everyone had this problem! I didn't even realize how much it affects my process until you said it. I get a Shiny New Idea, and then my current project seems not only boring but like it was stupid all along. Thanks so much for doing this!
I had never made the connection between the shiny new idea and becoming familiar with the thing you're currently working on--but it's so true! This is such a useful for framework for dealing with them!
I currently have several Word docs that I keep my shiny new ideas in and that I add to when things come to me. This strategy definitely works and helps keep me focused and organized!
I LOVE what you said about the first draft being the furthest thing away from the way the story is in your head. That is so, so true and is actually a very comforting thought. Thanks for these videos! Looking forward to more :)
As someone who has just come crawling back to the familiar project from the Shiny New Idea (or three...) this is exactly what I needed reminding of right now. Thank you for that :)
Brilliant advice, as expected, thank you! I SO needed this in particular. This happens to me all the time, and I have a collection of abandoned first draft first chapters because of it. "The shiny new idea is a symptom of the book you're working on now" is my new mantra.
God it makes so much SENSE now why I get shiny new ideas. Because starting new projects can seem so easy. Usually to combat this I jump ahead and write scenes I am excited about to keep myself going rather than making myself write in order. Since I'm a big time outliner, I can usually get away with it. Thanks for the video :) I'm a big fan!
Your books inspired me to start writing and the Shiny new ideas are one of my biggest problems right now!! thank you for your advice, you're such a queen 😘
Thank you for this! You've been an inspiration since I first met you (and your books) a year ago and lately I've abandoned everything. This is a good video to remind us that we need to keep writing.
Thank you for this! I’ve struggled to get stories off the ground and this shiny new idea theory sums it up so well. Definitely more motivated and hopeful to see a book through completion. Thank you thank you!
Well this opened my eyes a bit. Honestly I've really been witnessing firsthand how giving into a shiny new idea can affect a writer for at least 6 months now, probably longer. I abandoned my first draft of my first novel at the 110k mark last year and I haven't been able to write anything substantial since. My shiny new idea is a good one but as you said, it hasn't accumulated depth yet and I think I'm just realizing that. Maybe I need to go back and finish that last 20k of my other story. I left it because it was too boring and not making sense and not fleshed out enough and those are probably all of the reasons I should've stayed. I guess I'll try and revisit it tomorrow, then.
This is a great video! I have several notebooks with shiny new ideas that I’ve shelved. I recently picked up one of those ideas and began plotting, (using your method - plot on the left page and write on the right page), but I feel guilty for putting down my other story. So much so that I don’t write because of the guilt. Then I get mad at myself for not writing. Vicious cycle! Sorry for the ramble lol.
I've been waiting on this. The channel is back!. And...I am so waiting for the fan art of you sitting cross-legged with the book shelf and Oliver's butt.
Thank you for giving me terminology for this problem I keep having! It's so annoying that I get all of these ideas and have to file them away for later, but it's what helps me work through what I'm already writing!
Love how you presented this video and it definitely helped me with the string of ideas I have when writing. I'm looking forward to more videos! I absolutely love your work!
I know this comment is a bit late, but thank you so much for this video! I'm nearly done with the novel I've been working on and it can be so difficult to finish when I'm nervous, and not jump to something else. Thanks for keeping me grounded!
This is such a perfect video for me right now because I just had those shiny new ideas in the middle of my other project haha i'm gonna force myself to ignore it though because I've spent way too long on this current project.
Thank you so much for this videos! I really needed to hear this right now. I love how you talk and express yourself on camera too. Keep doing this videos, they're awesome ;)
This is super timely for me so thank you! I'm currently working on the 4th (ish) draft of my first book (which I've now been working on for about 3.5 years) and the desire to move on to my shiny new ideas has never been so strong or compelling. But I know if I give up on this book I'll never forgive myself for it, and this helped me with that painful desire. Also, I'm so happy you're making videos again! Thank you!
You're one of my all-time favorite authors. When I saw you talk at Kepler's books I wished there was more time, so I'm super happy this is a continuing thing! I do the same thing when I get a shiny new idea, and if I can--I go back and forth between two projects. (I can imagine that being harder with deadlines though and it's hard to limit yourself to just two!)
I get this all the time. I'm currently editing a novel and I've had no less than 4 shiny new ideas since I started that edit. I've taken your advice and grouped them in a simmering folder called 'David's Shiny New Ideas (DO NOT TOUCH)'
That was always one of my big problems. I would write on my project and then a new, fresh idea pops in my head and I'm starting the new one.. it's hard but I must resist.
My shiny new idea decided to hit me during the querying process. It's like "why do you want to waste allll of your free time composing infinite query letters? Why continue to get rejected when you could be writing ME? Look at how much fun I ammmm!!". What a tease, I say. A tease!
You speak to my soul. I'm forever starting and not finishing a project. And even if I finish one, the editing process pisses me off so I go and start something else. Ugh. Thank you for this video, a reminder to myself (and others) just how lethal a shiny new idea can be. Lol. Sigh.
Thanks for this - excited to see more of these. Can you switch on community captioning (preview.tinyurl.com/lzhgetc) so we can add CC (that are then submitted for your approval - no chance for us adding weird stuff) for accessibility? The auto-captions are always way off.
Holy poop you're beautiful! I've never seen you speak or interview so this is the first time I've seen anything but your Twitter pic 😂 (also that shit doesn't matter and
Your books inspired me to start writing and the Shiny new ideas are one of my biggest problems right now!! thank you for your advice, you're such a queen 😘
The thought of Victoria having files for many shiny new ideas just sitting in her computer and might be her next book is making drool
I literally got a shiny new idea today. I was so far into my book and it still hit me, and it was like the mirror I was reflecting off of in my head to write the book was shattered. I really needed this video. Thank you, Victoria!
*sends shiny new idea to the corner of brooding*
This is the first time I have heard someone openly discuss this topic, I always felt as if it was my fault and that it was because I am not dedicated enough. I do the same thing with my new ideas, I take a few days to figure out enough of the basics of that idea so that my brain stops thinking about it and then I put it to the side. I also loved the analogy with fishing, currently working on draft 1 and it described exactly how I feel! Can't wait to hear more!
Ps. Your cat is the Lila Bard of this video, he stole all of my attention!
Eliana Sk. Wow yes!! Oliver is 100% Lila
I know this video is a year old, but I have Shiny New Idea syndrome. Shiny new ideas distract me from other shiny new ideas. I wrote 20,000 words of my current manuscript and I got distracted with a new shiny idea which led to nowhere then the next and the next. Now, I have returned to the story abandoned and jumping ship on this story for over a year. Thank you for this video!!!!
You are so articulate! That may be kinda weird to say, but it's so impressive! Oh the Shiny New Idea! I always have this issue, thank you for all of the advice! And hi Oliver!
Oliver's bum is going to get famous!
NOBODY IS SURPRISED.
I really appreciate the suggestion to think of "shiny idea syndrome" as good because it tells us we're gaining familiarity with our project idea. Favorite moment in this video: 5:18. Pets--gotta love 'em.
This is exactly what I needed to hear. I've been working on my project for years. YEARS. And I keep finding myself getting bored with it every now and then. This explains the feeling perfectly. Thanks for sharing, Victoria!
I don't know about other people, but I found that what helped keep me on track was taking those shiny new ideas and work them into almost spin offs or branches of my main story. It has helped me explore the story world and understand it on a better level. I used to always start to write a high fantasy and want to move on to a new world, but by incorporating those shiny new ideas into the story world I needed to finish, it got a lot easier.
It's always nice to hear published authors have the same problems, super encouraging to relate :)
Going through and doing edits on a book before I send it to a friend who edits and boy was this amazing to hear. So often I think in my head that this is tired or dumb, but it's that familiarity rearing its head. Hearing you talk about the shiny new idea was amazing, I've got a folder of story ideas that are blurbs on pages so I don't lose them. Loving this series, so glad you're doing this!
Thank you Victoria for the great advice. Your bit on calendar accountability changed my life, made me more productive. Thank you again!
QUEEN OF STORYTELLING ❤️
This was literally one of the most inspiring videos ever! Thank you Victoria
I love what you said about the first draft being the farthest point from the perfect vision we have in our head -- a great way of looking at it!
Is this why you have three series going at once?
Yes people she's this cool in person #booksofwonder
What you said about the first draft being the furthest point away from the idea in your head just blew my mind! it makes so much sense but I've never heard it said like that before and it's totally changed my perspective. thank you! x
I love this! I don't write but I do a lot of handcraft - mostly knitting, sewing, and quilting - and the shiny new idea happens to me all the time in exacting the same way! I also love your cat!
As a reader this is super insightful! I look forward to more videos about the craft and your process! Maybe one day I could interview you for my blog about it all?
I'm so damn grateful for this video because 1) I just finished a first draft and it really is a CHASM away from my idea and 2) I didn't know everyone had this problem! I didn't even realize how much it affects my process until you said it. I get a Shiny New Idea, and then my current project seems not only boring but like it was stupid all along. Thanks so much for doing this!
I had never made the connection between the shiny new idea and becoming familiar with the thing you're currently working on--but it's so true! This is such a useful for framework for dealing with them!
I currently have several Word docs that I keep my shiny new ideas in and that I add to when things come to me. This strategy definitely works and helps keep me focused and organized!
I LOVE what you said about the first draft being the furthest thing away from the way the story is in your head. That is so, so true and is actually a very comforting thought. Thanks for these videos! Looking forward to more :)
As someone who has just come crawling back to the familiar project from the Shiny New Idea (or three...) this is exactly what I needed reminding of right now. Thank you for that :)
This can also apply to any project you are working on, not only writing. Great advice V, looking forward to see more of you :)
Brilliant advice, as expected, thank you! I SO needed this in particular. This happens to me all the time, and I have a collection of abandoned first draft first chapters because of it. "The shiny new idea is a symptom of the book you're working on now" is my new mantra.
I am going to listen to this on repeat while writing. Thanks for this!!
God it makes so much SENSE now why I get shiny new ideas. Because starting new projects can seem so easy. Usually to combat this I jump ahead and write scenes I am excited about to keep myself going rather than making myself write in order. Since I'm a big time outliner, I can usually get away with it. Thanks for the video :) I'm a big fan!
Your books inspired me to start writing and the Shiny new ideas are one of my biggest problems right now!! thank you for your advice, you're such a queen 😘
Thank you for this!
You've been an inspiration since I first met you (and your books) a year ago and lately I've abandoned everything. This is a good video to remind us that we need to keep writing.
I started to build on my shiny new idea before realizing it was all BS. Thank you for the so true reminder. :-)
Thank you for this! I’ve struggled to get stories off the ground and this shiny new idea theory sums it up so well. Definitely more motivated and hopeful to see a book through completion. Thank you thank you!
This is so helpful. I can't begin to describe how much I needed this video right now. Thank you so much.
Well this opened my eyes a bit. Honestly I've really been witnessing firsthand how giving into a shiny new idea can affect a writer for at least 6 months now, probably longer. I abandoned my first draft of my first novel at the 110k mark last year and I haven't been able to write anything substantial since. My shiny new idea is a good one but as you said, it hasn't accumulated depth yet and I think I'm just realizing that. Maybe I need to go back and finish that last 20k of my other story. I left it because it was too boring and not making sense and not fleshed out enough and those are probably all of the reasons I should've stayed. I guess I'll try and revisit it tomorrow, then.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!! I SOOOO NEEDED THAT!!!!!
Now, back to my Second Draft........
This is a great video! I have several notebooks with shiny new ideas that I’ve shelved. I recently picked up one of those ideas and began plotting, (using your method - plot on the left page and write on the right page), but I feel guilty for putting down my other story. So much so that I don’t write because of the guilt. Then I get mad at myself for not writing. Vicious cycle! Sorry for the ramble lol.
I've been waiting on this. The channel is back!. And...I am so waiting for the fan art of you sitting cross-legged with the book shelf and Oliver's butt.
Thank you for giving me terminology for this problem I keep having! It's so annoying that I get all of these ideas and have to file them away for later, but it's what helps me work through what I'm already writing!
Excellent video! Thank you for sharing your advice.
You're the best! Enjoying these so much!
Love how you presented this video and it definitely helped me with the string of ideas I have when writing. I'm looking forward to more videos! I absolutely love your work!
I know this comment is a bit late, but thank you so much for this video! I'm nearly done with the novel I've been working on and it can be so difficult to finish when I'm nervous, and not jump to something else.
Thanks for keeping me grounded!
So happy to see you back (or when you can)! I was a long time Rebels fan💓😁
This is such a perfect video for me right now because I just had those shiny new ideas in the middle of my other project haha i'm gonna force myself to ignore it though because I've spent way too long on this current project.
Oh man, but my current Shiny New Idea is so good! Ugh, fine. I'll go work on the first story!
Creating a Shiny New Idea folder in my Evernote right now! Thanks for the video!
Thank you so much for this videos! I really needed to hear this right now. I love how you talk and express yourself on camera too. Keep doing this videos, they're awesome ;)
this is so helpful as a new writer! looking forwards to more videos!
This is super timely for me so thank you! I'm currently working on the 4th (ish) draft of my first book (which I've now been working on for about 3.5 years) and the desire to move on to my shiny new ideas has never been so strong or compelling. But I know if I give up on this book I'll never forgive myself for it, and this helped me with that painful desire. Also, I'm so happy you're making videos again! Thank you!
Thank you!! Outstanding advice and insight. Also... this sounds like a metaphor for relationships, temptation, and infidelity...
You put everything I've been thinking into words. Thank you for basically organizing my thoughts lol
You inspired me to start writing, thank you so much!!
You're one of my all-time favorite authors. When I saw you talk at Kepler's books I wished there was more time, so I'm super happy this is a continuing thing!
I do the same thing when I get a shiny new idea, and if I can--I go back and forth between two projects. (I can imagine that being harder with deadlines though and it's hard to limit yourself to just two!)
i was stunned by your articulateness at your event, and i'm stunned again by it here! pls make videos all the time forever
Aw, thank you! I am really rusty on this platform and need to stop saying "right" so much, but I'm trying!
OH GOSH this came at just the right time for me, thank you so so much
I get this all the time. I'm currently editing a novel and I've had no less than 4 shiny new ideas since I started that edit. I've taken your advice and grouped them in a simmering folder called 'David's Shiny New Ideas (DO NOT TOUCH)'
This was honestly amazing! You articulated this idea so well and I'm looking forward to more of your videos :)
The cake is a lie!! :)))
Nice talk, V. Thank you! :)
Could you do a video about the story-boarding/ planning out plot process? I always get stuck there!
I am so glad you made this. I needed to hear it.
How can you read my thoughts and put them into a beautifully worded video? Queen 🙌🏻
That was always one of my big problems. I would write on my project and then a new, fresh idea pops in my head and I'm starting the new one.. it's hard but I must resist.
Lord Tsundoku Same.
Somehow, you looked into my brain and told me what I needed to hear :D
Thank you, Thank you so so much 💛❤
This was exactly what I needed to hear at the right moment!
I fucking love you. You are amazing! Keep the good work, Victoria :D
You're amazing thank you so much this helps.
So well said!
My shiny new idea decided to hit me during the querying process. It's like "why do you want to waste allll of your free time composing infinite query letters? Why continue to get rejected when you could be writing ME? Look at how much fun I ammmm!!".
What a tease, I say. A tease!
You speak to my soul. I'm forever starting and not finishing a project. And even if I finish one, the editing process pisses me off so I go and start something else. Ugh. Thank you for this video, a reminder to myself (and others) just how lethal a shiny new idea can be. Lol. Sigh.
Love the Funkos
Thanks for this - excited to see more of these. Can you switch on community captioning (preview.tinyurl.com/lzhgetc) so we can add CC (that are then submitted for your approval - no chance for us adding weird stuff) for accessibility? The auto-captions are always way off.
Made my day!
Another problem I have besides this one is that I lose faith that I have the talent to actually pull off what was before a shiny new idea.
Just noticing your book collection and I've seen BZRK! Have you read it? Did you like it?
I haven't read it yet!
Such a helpful vid.
Btw, do u sort your books by... color? Lol
when you say 50 or 100 page mark how many words is that? i write w no page structure really so i never know how my word /page count is going!
i feel like this is relationship advice
Holy poop you're beautiful!
I've never seen you speak or interview so this is the first time I've seen anything but your Twitter pic 😂 (also that shit doesn't matter and
Oh wow, that's so incredibly kind (and as someone struggling with self-image, thank you.)
You're right she's beautiful and she seems like an amazing human being. I would love to have a friend like Victoria ❤️
Your books inspired me to start writing and the Shiny new ideas are one of my biggest problems right now!! thank you for your advice, you're such a queen 😘