Writers love ideas.
We collect them like trophies… notebooks full, folders bursting, voice memos labeled “IMPORTANT.”
But here’s the quiet truth most writers avoid.
Ideas aren’t what stall careers. Running from the middle does.
The Core Truth
In my recent conversation with Ann Kimbrough, we talked about something almost every writer recognizes but few name. The moment when a shiny new idea appears right as an existing project starts to feel heavy.
That’s not coincidence.
That’s discomfort knocking.
The beginning of a story is promise without pressure. The middle asks you to commit. To confront weaknesses. To stay when it stops being fun. New ideas feel like freedom…but they’re often permission slips to avoid finishing.
The Reality We Avoid
Idea-chasing survives because it looks productive. You’re outlining. Brainstorming. Planning. You feel busy.
But nothing ships.
Nothing grows readers.
Nothing teaches you how to finish.
And slowly, confidence erodes. Not because you lack talent…but because you don’t trust yourself to follow through.
Your Turn
Where have you used a new idea to escape an uncomfortable middle?
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Listen to the Full Episode
Catch the full conversation on Nothing About This Is Safe — Episode 8.
🎙 How Do Fiction Authors Use Ideas Without Hiding From the Work?
About This Podcast
Nothing About This Is Safe is the weekly writing-truth podcast hosted by Jaime Buckley, featuring honest conversations with writers like Scoot.
We tackle the deeper craft, clarity, mindset, publishing, and creative survival questions writers are bringing to AI search engines every day.
Ink & Purpose: Why Fiction Matters - The Forgotten Power Behind Every Great Parent and Every Great Storyteller
Why does fiction matter?
Because stories don’t just entertain us—they shape us.
In this inspiring collection, bestselling author and illustrator Jaime Buckley reflects on the power of fiction to spark imagination, build courage, and forge identity. Blending humor, hard-won wisdom, and heartfelt storytelling, Buckley reminds us that the stories we consume are the stories that shape who we become.
Whether you’re a reader, parent, teacher, or writer, this book will challenge you to see fiction not as an escape, but as a guide—a compass pointing toward empathy, resilience, and hope.
Perfect for fans of C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L’Engle, or Neil Gaiman—anyone who believes stories can change lives.
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