How to Identify the Book Idea That's Worth Writing

At any one time, most writers have three or four book ideas rolling around in their head like loose change under the seat cushions. 

How does a writer choose which one of their thought children to bring into the world? Which new sparkly idea deserved their time and attention to bring it to life and creation to be read and consumed by the masses?

Well… that's enough of my waxing poetic about consuming children - 

There are four major factors when deciding which of your ideas to turn into novels that you should consider when deciding.

Passion 

When you think of all the book ideas that you may run through your brain at any point in time, are there any that stand out as ones that you know without a doubt you want to write? 

Not just ones that you think would be cool if you did write, but ones that truly light an imaginary fire under your fingers that causes them to itch to get to the nearest keyboard?

Sure this may seem like a no-brainer but you'll find of all your ideas there's going to be one that sticks out among the rest.

Uniqueness and Originality 

If asked to describe your book and the only point you can come up with to say is something that could be describing any number of hundreds of books that are already on the local market shelves - it might be a good idea to bring it back to drawing board or choose from an idea that has something that sets it apart. 

This could be a unique angle or perspective to a popular trope that sets it apart from others of its kind.

Emotional Resonance 

Which novel idea do you have that is going to move not only you but your readers? Do you have an idea that will make them cry tears of joy or want to hurl the book at the closest wall before picking it back up and cradling it to their chest while they cry from heartbreak? 

Books need to evoke some type of emotion that will make it an authentic reading experience. 

The idea that most moves you will most likely be the one that most moves your readers.

Long-Term Interest 

Writing a book is something that takes longer than you might think. 

There are a few months to write it, a few months to edit it, a few more months for someone else to edit it, and then you have to go through and edit it again - honestly, you're going to be reading your book more times that you might think it possible to read any one book, so the idea you pick should be one that you don't mind repeating in your head over and over and over again.

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There is no true answer on which book idea of your many you should be choosing, but chances are you already know which one it is. It's the one that has stayed with you the longest and has bided its time waiting in the corner of your mind waiting to be written. 

It's a story you know you're going to be able to connect with emotionally on some level and it's going to be one set in a world you don't mind spending a few months hanging around in. 

Now go get to writing it. 

With love, 

B.K. xo xo

Want to write with me live? I'm now on Twitch! Come join me in some writing sprints every Wed-Thurs-Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm EST

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