You start with something pretty and attention-grabbing at the top. Something that makes people stop and look. But you can’t only have flower heads. You have to go down the stem, down to the root. That’s where the nutrients—the learning, the discovery, the shared reality is. That’s what grounds an idea and connects it to other people.

Fortunately, all flowers have roots. Every throwaway comment that feels like awkward small talk. Every half-formed idea. Every observation of the world, no matter how insignificant-seeming.

As John Cage said, “Begin anywhere.” I used to think that meant don’t overthink Step 1. Inspired by that phrase (specifically, by a card from my grandmother that I had tacked to my bedroom wall), I started my first novel halfway through, because a random scene in the middle seemed easier to write than the first. It was a great strategy to overcome the fear of getting started. You really can begin anywhere.

And “Begin anywhere” also applies to developing ideas. You can start with any idea, and then you explore it, and inevitably something interesting and true will emerge.

There’s a post-it taped to my laptop, mostly faded, that says:

When creating:

• Develop a theme
• Be specific
• Take it almost too far
• Let complexity naturally arise

It’s some of the best writing advice I’ve ever gotten, and I don’t even know it came from.

It’s funny how counterintuitive it can be to let complexity arise.

Acknowledging complexity is almost taboo these days. People are so sure about their politics, their ethics, about who’s right and what’s wrong. Yet complexity is a reflection of reality, and a sign of a neutral and curious mind. Where there are shades of gray, nuances, labyrinths–where there is backtracking to say “wait that’s true but not always” or “I’m not really sure what to do with this”—that honors truth. That is where the roots get all tangled up, as they are in reality, underground, communicating to each other in ways we don’t understand. That’s where the new discoveries are, without which there would be no flowers at all.

If you’re thinking of writing a book and could use some guidance, structure, or support…

…let’s chat. I’m a ghostwriter and writing coach and I’d love to help you bring your beautiful book to life.

Photo credit: Robert Coletti