Have I got writer's block? Or just too many ideas?

Is writer’s block real?

If so, what causes it?

And why have I still not started writing my book?

At the start of each semester, I reflect on the following questions with a new cohort of doctoral students at?Swansea University:

What stops me writing?

What keeps me writing?

Along with the usual ideas about distractions that stop us writing (mobile phones, social media, lack of time, kids, cleaning the fridge, and not writing until all the other jobs are done), something that often comes up is that there are just?too many?ideas. Writers don’t know which idea to write about. Or which idea to write about first.

One reason I enjoy editing is that the starting point isn't a blank screen. I feel more like a sculptor than a tortured writer when I’m editing.

But when you start your writing your book, there are no words. There’s nothing but an idea.

And having too many?ideas can be even worse than none at all.

Which book should I write? What if I write the wrong book?

Knowing you want to write a book is one thing. But not knowing?which?book to write or how to focus your ideas can stop you from even getting started.

If you think?too many ideas?might be the cause of your writer’s block, grab a copy of my?free author workbook?to help you decide?which?book to write (or which book to write?first).

Answering the questions in the workbook will help you focus your ideas and you’ll be sure you’re planning to publish the?right book!

You’ll get a week of email guidance from me to help.

Give yourself the space of ten minutes a day for a week and?get clear on your winning non-fiction book idea.

The full text of this article along with what to do when you have too many ideas is on my blog.