I think Elizabeth Gilbert put it best in her book Big Magic, when she described ideas as having a sort of consciousness. According to her theory, ideas float along tapping people on the shoulder trying to get them excited about an idea enough to incite them into action in order to bring the idea to life.

Obviously this line of thinking means that, as a creator, an idea isn’t so much yours, but something you’re being asked to do by some unseen force.

I’m currently working on book four in the Talk Nerdy to Me series, and I’ve hit a big wall, mainly because as I’ve tried to push forward with what I thought the plot should be, I’ve felt this huge resistance from my characters. They’re gently telling me that the ideas I have about who they are and the way they should act in this story aren’t aligning with who they are.

I know. It sounds bizarre to speak about fictional characters in this way, but if you’ve ever tried to force an idea, a project, or any creative endeavor, then you’ve probably experienced this from time to time. I’m not abandoning the idea, but I am reworking the outline, and tuning into my characters this time. And, that reworking takes time, so right now, I’m not projecting a publishing date, but I’ll be sure and share more when the time is right 🙂