From Idea to Outline: How to Start Your Book When You’re Overwhelmed

You have a book idea. You’ve had it for a while. Maybe it came to you in a dream, during a conversation, or while journaling something raw and honest. You believe in it. You know it matters. But there it sits—in your head, or maybe in a few scribbled notes—while you stare at a blinking cursor, wondering where to start.

You’re not alone. One of the hardest parts of writing a book is starting it—especially when the idea feels big or meaningful. The good news? You don’t need to start with a perfect first line or a complete plan. You just need a way to move forward. Here’s how to go from idea to outline—even when you feel overwhelmed.