How to Decide WHAT TO WRITE Next

What's up, my friends? Today's video is something I've been wanting to share with you for a while: my process for deciding what story I should write next! I know how frustrating it can be to have tonnnns of story ideas... yet NO IDEA which one to write first! This method has given me a lot of clarity and I hope it will help you too!

Comment below and tell me about YOUR decision-making process!

________________________________

MORE VIDEOS YOU WOULD LIKE:

→ HOW TO WRITE A PLOT TWIST

→ THE PERFECT CHARACTER PROFILE

→ HOW TO COME UP WITH A STORY IDEA

→ HOW TO WRITE THEME INTO YOUR STORY

Subscribe for weekly episodes of #WritersLifeWednesdays !!

✨R E S O U R C E S✨

✨F O L L O W ✨

✨ A B O U T ✨
My name is Abbie Emmons I teach writers how to make their stories matter by harnessing the power and psychology of storytelling, transforming their ideas into a masterpiece, and creating a lifestyle that makes their author dreams come true.

Story isn’t about “what happens” — it’s about how what happens affects and transforms the characters. I believe that there is an exact science (a recipe, if you will) behind a perfect story. And if you know what ingredients you need, you can create your own perfect story with ease and confidence. That’s what we talk about every week on this channel – and if it’s something you’re into, be sure to subscribe and join this community!

[EdwardLabarcaDev]

Hands down one of the best writer's advice series on YouTube. Thank you for your work!

[HellsMirror]

It's really funny how much different the things are that people find attractive in stories. For me it would look more like:

- great interpersonal relationships (friendship, family etc.)
- dark and heavy stuff and tragedies
- emotional struggles
- morally grey characters
- and semi-happy endings

[ThornAndPetal]

Wow, I was just watching this for fun, since I already thought I knew what order my books would be written in...and then you gave the last point about if I could only write one... I might be rethinking the order now... 🤔🥰

[syberyah]

Oh my goodness I'm so used to it being 2020 that I read the date on this video and I was like "wait, how- it's only January 4th, how did this video come out 11 days from now????" and then I remembered it's not 2020 anymore. 😂 😂

[annabelho]

Abby: I have 30 plot bunnies. I know, that's a lot.
Me:...
Me *internally*: crap then is 55 too much?

[millafargo]

I've been anguishing over what project I want to write next, and this morning your video turns up in my recommended. 🙏

[MacduffProd]

my process is similar whenever my gut can't decide, but way less specific - thank you for coming up with actual words and categories, this will make it so much easier! :D
another thing i like to include, though, is the aesthetic of a story. i like to write down little incoherent descriptions/word clusters that give me a more "visceral" idea of the story that speaks to the senses. this is most effective/useful with fantasy/scifi ideas for me, but it works well with "real world" settings as well.

[sumadey]

Hey Abby..!!! Great video again. You always come up with ideas that we didn't even realize that we need, but helpful nonetheless.
Please, make a series about writing Series. I'm struggling with a story idea right now. Lots of love.

[kaitlin]

You’ve inspired me so much to get off of my writing hiatus. ❤️ Thank you for your great advice and all of your awesome videos. Btw I can’t wait to read your book!!!

[tuxbe]

I needed this right now! thank you so so much ❤️

[shiyuhe]

I don’t know if this is creepy, but I always take my notebook out with me, so if there’s someone interesting, I WILL DOCUMENT IT! If there’s a place that inspires me I WILL DOCUMENT IT! If someone have an appealing physical feature, I WILL DOCUMENT IT!

[amy-suewisniewski]

For those who hate writing stuff down or just want to do it in the moment, I just keep notes on my phone. Most of us carry our phones with us at all times, most have a cloud back-up feature to save it if you lose your phone or it breaks. Just for those pantsers out there that are more go with the flow, or even lazy plotters (like me). Just ten times easier than always waiting to get to your laptop/computer, or if you don't have a note book with you.

[lylyluvda]

This video could not have come at a better time.

Thanks!

[annthie]

First helpful advice I could find on that topic. Thanks a lot!! Love your channel!

[georginakosi]

The 4 biggest writer struggles EVER:
- i don't know what to write
- i have too much stuff i want to write
- what should the title be?
- how the heck do i write the blurb?

[Liette]

Somehow i just rmbered the start of ur channel when u had like 2.5k subs and u honestly deserve the growth u got!! Slay queen!

[waterlily]

I guess i just need to have something that I just really am excited to write. Even though I dont the reason why, or what I like about this story. I guess coming up with a good story idea is just about finding something that us your everything.

[lindacgrace]

I love the idea of a process - BUT what I actually write is the story that itches the worst. You know the one - when you are happily pursuing something else, and it starts itching the back of your head, and a new idea emerges Sigh. Another note. The one that I dream about. (Can't tell you the number of times plot, character development or dialog has emerged in dreams.) Yeah. that one. My subconscious is a lot better at picking than I am!

[stiankallhovd]

Great video. Very timely! I've got three story projects to work with next. Two of them are strongly inspired by video games -- and I then run the risk of simply copying something without having anything (or enough) original to add. Happened when I first started out writing fifteen years ago.

I envy you if you're able to think of a story idea as a red thread or premise, as you called it. I usually get ideas about interesting characters, particularly villains, before I get a "full story idea." Maybe it's different when writing fantasy?

Finally, I want to compliment you on your enthusiasm and energy in this and your other videos. I can certainly understand why at this point your video has 105 likes and not a single dislike! :)

[osnapitzcami]

Love this! I am the plot bunny queen, my idea list surpassing 50 (yikes!) this is the only video that has genuinely helped me! Thank you so much for this!