Meg Dowell Writes

In July of 2025, I was in the middle of a summer hiatus from most of my side projects. A month into this break, I still didn’t feel rested or content — but it was good for me nonetheless. A clearer schedule allowed me to clear my head and rest my mind. Which, of course, left room for a new idea for a novel to drop in out of nowhere and demand a level of attention I did not want to provide.

I had to ask myself a few important questions as the urge to start working on a new book — in the middle of a work break! — overwhelmed me. Was this an excuse to stop working on myself and use writing as a distraction? Or was this new book idea ready to be written, whether I felt ready or not?

Here are some of the questions I asked myself as I made my decision — and what you can consider, too, before starting on a new writing project.

Are You Supposed to Be Working on Something Else?

I’m quite familiar with the deceptive nature of what we’ll call “productive procrastination.” Early on in my journey as a writer, I spent a lot of time hopping from one unfinished project to another, convinced that the new, shiny object was the one that was going to — I don’t know, launch my writing career? There’s nothing wrong with jumping into action when inspiration strikes, so to speak. But you should always ask yourself first: Am I abandoning something else I should be finishing instead?

The urge to set aside something you’re writing when it gets hard is common. It’s real, and we all, at one point or another, give in. But if you want to train yourself to actually be able to finish what you start writing — an essential skill in the professional writing world — you should practice fighting the urge to pivot the second it becomes more challenging to work on something. That new, shiny object will still be there when you’re done if you really want to pick it up and play with it next.

Is This a Project You Can See Yourself Finishing?

A good premise is a good place to start. When you first get an idea for something you want to start writing, it can feel almost magical. Knowing that you have an idea worth pursuing as a writer is a good skill to have as you advance in your career. But before you go off chasing something new, also ask yourself this: Is this a project you actually want to see through to the end?

You’re not always going to know whether or not a writing pursuit is fully possible to execute to completion; in some writing fields, that’s really just the nature of the craft. But you should know going into any new writing endeavor that the magical feeling that comes along with a new idea is likely going to wear off at some point. And when things get hard, are you going to have enough genuine passion for what you’re writing to push through to the end? Or is it just a new idea that sounds fun but isn’t actually worth pursuing right now — or ever?

Why Do You Want to Write Something New Right Now?

This is probably one of the most important things to force yourself to think about before embarking on a new writing adventure. Not just why this — but why right now? It’s a complicated question to answer, and everyone is going to land on a different reality when they answer it. That’s why each and every one of us have to ask it — and really take the time to sit with our answers.

Are you simply seeking novelty in an otherwise mundane schedule? Are you looking for an easy way to escape something else? Or does this new idea truly feel like it’s calling to you in a way that can’t be ignored? Really think about the what and the why, but also about the timing. Some ideas are great, but aren’t for you right now. And some happen to come along at just the right time, whether you feel ready or not.

If you really feel in your gut that it’s time to begin — well then, onward toward your next adventure. If not? The time will come. Usually when you least expect it.