There’s an old saying in storytelling circles: “Don’t tell it—show it.” And if you’re working on a series—be it a book, a podcast, a video, or anything creative—there’s real wisdom in waiting to talk about it until you’re actually doing it.
I Am Going To …
A lot of people tell me about a book they are going to write, but it isn’t as powerful as when I talk to people about a book they are writing. What is your process? How far have you gotten? As long as you aren’t still world building, you know who you are, you’re writing a book!! Now, world building is cool but it is not writing. Worldbuilders are still hanging out with the people who tell me they are going to write a book.
Nancy Allen Says
This is something I’ve had to learn and relearn and one of our keynote speakers at the BTP Writer’s conference this weekend reiterated it. Nancy Allen, a legal thriller writer from the Ozarks, was talking about getting her books optioned for a film. She was so excited she told everyone and then had to retract it when nothing happened. Because less than 90% of books optioned for film ever make it into production, she advised us not to run out and tell everyone your book is going to be made into a movie until the cameras are actually rolling.
It’s Tempting
That is good advice for any project you’re working on. When you’re excited about a new idea, it’s tempting to spill it all. You want to share the concept, the characters, the plot twists, the emotional arcs, the designs, even the marketing plan. You might even want to crowdsource feedback or validation. But talking too much about a project or idea before the proverbial cameras are rolling can sap your momentum before you’ve really begun.
If you remember in February I announced a new project that I was going to share with you in the future, but then in the future, all I could say was, “psyche,” I’ve changed my mind. And just like an optioned film, it’s best to wait until you have some work in progress to show before you tell it. Like they say in creative circles, ideas are a dime a dozen. Until you cross the midpoint of a novel, are you really even writing a book?
Wait!
So why would you want to wait until the trailer comes out to spill the beans? Besides changing your mind and hopping onto the next new and exciting project (whose done that?), there is is something sacred about the early stages of a project. It’s raw, tender, full of potential. It needs your protection. Talking about it too soon often invites outside opinions that can muddy your vision—or worse, make you feel like you’ve already done the work just by describing it. That false sense of completion can dull the drive that fuels actual creation.
The Proverbial Squash
Have you had a great idea and when you share it with friends and family their response feels like they poked a pin in your balloon? Even if they don’t pop the idea entirely, those slow leaks can take the wind out of your sails. You begin to doubt your idea and even worse yourself until they have literally squashed your attempt.
Space to grow
I’ve found that keeping the heart of a project private until it’s breathing on its own is one of the best things you can do. That doesn’t mean being secretive or mysterious just for the sake of it. It means giving your idea the space it needs to grow without interruption. Think of it like a seed—once it sprouts, you can share it with the world. But in the beginning, it needs quiet, warmth, and trust.
Lights, Camera, Action
When you wait to talk about it until the cameras are rolling—whether that means you’re actively filming, drafting, editing, or posting episode one—you shift your focus from talking about the work to doing the work. That’s where the magic happens. You’re in motion. The project has a heartbeat. You’re not asking for permission; you’re already showing what you’ve made.
And when you finally do share, it’s powerful. It’s real. You’re not just offering an idea—you’re offering an experience that people can step into. There’s confidence in that. You’re no longer pitching potential. You’re inviting others into something alive.
Nuture Your Baby Quietly
So if you’re working on a creative project right now, I encourage you: nurture it quietly. Let it develop its roots. And when you’re ready—when the project has shape and momentum—then you can throw open the doors and let people in. You’ll have more to offer, and your audience will sense the intention behind what you’ve built.
Until then, protect the vision. And remember: don’t talk about the film until the cameras are rolling.