The Creative Process: From One Idea to Many
When I first published my children’s book Wigby’s Big Year, I thought the milestone was simply hitting “publish.” It felt like crossing the finish line of a marathon - exhausting, exhilarating, and a little surreal.
What I didn’t realize is that finishing one project often cracks open the door to dozens of others.
After launching Wigby’s Big Year, I immediately started outlining the second book in the series. That process was supposed to be straightforward - continue the story, grow the characters, keep moving. But as I wrote, something unexpected happened.
Instead of focusing only on Wigby’s next adventure, my mind kept wandering. I’d be in the middle of writing a scene, and a new “what if” would jump out at me. Sometimes it was a note scribbled in the margin. Other times, it was a full page of ideas for something completely different. Soon my desk was covered in sticky notes, my phone was full of half-written reminders, and I had folders that weren’t even tied to Wigby’s world anymore.
What began as “Book Two” quickly became a launchpad for new possibilities:
Book Two in Wigby’s adventures — continuing his journey with Anya, building on everything readers loved about the first book.
A practical guide for authors — because when I self-published, I ran into gaps other “how-to” guides never explained. Things like how to handle book metadata, how to decide what goes in your front and back matter, or how to balance print vs. ebook formatting. These aren’t glamorous parts of publishing, but they’re critical, and I wanted to create something that would make the path easier for other writers.
A whole new set of characters — what started as simple sticker doodles began to evolve into something much bigger. I didn’t expect much from them at first, but when I gave myself permission to play, they developed personalities, backstories, and even family ties. They became a little universe of their own, waiting for me to tell their stories.
And then, something else happened: new ideas started bubbling up on top of the ones I was already exploring. I never once thought about building an app, that wasn’t even on my radar when I published my first book. But now? I have one (maybe two!) app ideas on my future projects list. I don’t have details to share yet, but just the possibility is exciting. It’s a reminder that when you stay open, creativity takes you places you never thought you’d go.
That’s what I love about the creative process: it’s unpredictable. Ideas don’t always arrive fully formed. Sometimes they sneak in as doodles, sticky notes, or late-night “what if?” questions. Sometimes they show up while you’re elbows-deep in another project. And sometimes, they linger quietly until you finally notice the spark that’s been glowing all along.
The Messy Middle
One thing I’ve learned: creativity isn’t a straight line. It’s not “idea → outline → finished book.” It’s more like a tangle of scribbles where one line leads to another, loops back, and then breaks off into something new.
That can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re someone who likes order. I’ve had moments where I felt guilty for starting new projects when I hadn’t finished the first one. But I’ve realized that giving space to those sparks doesn’t mean abandoning your main work, it means you’re building a creative garden. Some seeds sprout quickly, others take longer, but they’re all worth planting.
Turning Sparks Into Stories: A Few Tips
If you’ve ever had a random idea pop into your head, a doodle, a phrase, a dream that stuck with you, here are a few ways to catch it before it fades and see if it grows into something more:
Write it down immediately. Don’t wait for the “perfect time.” Keep a notes app, a journal, or even sticky notes nearby. Sparks fade fast if you don’t capture them.
Ask “what if?” Push your idea further. What if this sticker had a friend? What if this phrase became a chapter title? What if this small moment grew into a series?
Let it simmer. Not every spark becomes a project right away. That’s okay. Some of my best ideas needed months (or years) of rest before they felt ready.
Experiment small. Test your idea in a low-stakes way. Doodle it, turn it into a short blog post, or make a mock-up. Small experiments reveal if a spark has staying power.
Notice the patterns. If the same idea keeps circling back - in your journal, in conversations, in random daydreams, that’s a sign it’s worth exploring more deeply.
Why It Matters
For me, Wigby began as a single spark, just a puppy with a story. That spark grew into a series, which opened the door to guides, side projects, and even new worlds I never planned on writing. And now, it’s even expanded into areas I never imagined, like app development.
Following those sparks didn’t just give me more projects, it gave me more joy, more energy, and a creative practice that keeps growing.
✨ If you’re curious, you can check out Wigby’s first adventure here or read more of my creative journey on the blog.
Because the truth is: you never know where your small spark might lead. Sometimes one book can turn into many more ideas than you ever expected.
