A problem that I seem to run into constantly is losing focus on what I want to write. I’ll get an idea that I think is pretty good, I’ll start to write out some notes to get started, then I get another idea which I think is better than the original one and lose focus.

Isn’t it funny how it always seems like the new idea that comes into your mind is so much better than whatever it is you are currently working on? Even though you thought you were working on a masterpiece, it pales in comparison to this new, great idea that just popped into your head. It’s frustrating.

I’ve found the result of all this focus changing is this: nothing gets written. So here I sit with good ideas but I’m not writing any of the stories because I can’t keep myself focused on one story idea long enough to produce anything. Did I mention that it’s frustrating?

So my advice to myself and to anyone reading this post is simply: stay focused. Ok, but how? As soon as you start writing a story stick with it. See it through to the end. Believe in your story, believe that it is just as good as anything you will write in the future. If other ideas come into your mind in the process of writing that story–Great! But don’t start writing that new story. It’s tempting, I know just how tempting, but don’t do it. Write down the idea and file it away for later. Keep going on what you are currently working on.

By forcing yourself to stick to one thing at a time–and one thing only–you will increase your writing productivity.