Some people have an idea that books just somehow materialize…They just somehow happen. They think that a book is the work of many people. That the concept is born and then, after a complex series of steps, the book is written. Of course, there are writers – like Stephen King – who are part of larger machines. Advertising directors, international marketing teams and the like. But the truth of the matter is that even the biggest writers are alone when it comes to the actual idea making. It’s up to them to discover an idea worthy enough and make that reality. Not only that, but they must do this to deadline. The pressure is really on…

So this begs the question: how does a writer, professional or otherwise, know when an idea is good enough to be the backbone of an entire book?

There’s no easy answer, of course. I suppose it’s half good business sense – will this book appeal to enough people? – and half gut feeling. And, most importantly, the book must have a market. In other words, it’s no good just thinking up an idea. Is this idea something that people really care about? Will they spend their hard-earned money from their locum doctor job on my book rather than on a bottle of wine or those groceries they really need?

Writing, like almost anything, is more business than creativity. That may sound obvious but it’s easy to think that only the words matter as you read a best-selling novel. Yes, the creativity is crucial–Without it there could be no book. But without a solid plan a book will inevitably fail. Fail in this context means the author gets his advance on his book and that’s about all. There are no re-prints. Sometimes the books don’t sell and they are burned. That’s it.

But does that stop anyone? No! That’s why hundreds of new books are put in to production all the time. So, if you have an idea burning inside you then unleash it. You might be one of the lucky few.