Shiny New Idea Syndrome

Recently, I've had a lot of new ideas buzzing around in my head. And I don't want that right now. I'm trying to concentrate on finishing up the rewrites I'm doing on LIGHTS OUT. (Which I'm thinking about renaming. Maybe HUMANITY SHATTERED. What do you guys think?) But it's hard when you've got a million different ideas slapping you in the face, begging to be written.

I never ignore these ideas. I just can't. I know if I let them go now--if I don't write them down--they'll be gone forever. While I'm sure most of you have better memories than I do, you should still take the time out to write your SNI (Shiny New Idea) down.

But right now, I've got so many new ideas popping up, I don't know what to do. I'm almost worried this is a precursor to getting bored with LIGHTS OUT. I don't feel like I'm bored with the story yet, but who knows? Maybe it'll jump outta nowhere and surprise me.

Anyway, about this condition I've dubbed SHINY NEW IDEA SYNDROME. (SNIS for short.)

The symptoms of SNIS include, but are not limited to:

--Racing thoughts that don't pertain to your WIP.

--At least one amazing new idea.

--A strong urge to work on that new idea.

--An even stronger urge to give in to procrastination in regards to your WIP.

--Persistent daydreams about things other than your WIP.

SNIS is not a new condition, but there is still quite a bit we don't know about it. I've got my top scientists working night and day in the best labs money can buy to find out more about this condition.

As it stands now, there is NO cure for SNIS. But, luckily, there is a treatment.

According to my researchers' findings, for temporary relief from SNIS, write down all the important details you've got floating around about your new idea. If the SNIS persists, delve a little deeper into this new idea. Do some character development, or possibly write a page or two.

But whatever you do:

DON'T GET DISTRACTED FROM YOUR WIP!

This is why Shiny New Ideas are evil. They try to entice you away from the story you're working on with promises of something twice as fun. Don't listen to them! Those ideas are just trying to distract you. And if you get distracted, you might not ever go back to that original story.

So, for those of you who skipped to the end, basically my advice is:

Don't ignore your Shiny New Ideas, but don't let them get in the way of your WIP.

HAPPY WRITING, LOVELIES!

So, you tell me:

Have you ever come down with SNIS?

If so, how did you deal with it?