by Mary Boone

Story ideas are exciting packages of potential, and by the end of this month-long brainstorming exercise, you’ll have a pile of them. That’s worth celebrating. In fact, when January comes to a close, I challenge you to write each idea on a small strip of paper and toss them into the air so you can have your own little Storystorm confetti party. Yay you!

But don’t stop there—those flashes of inspiration are worth little unless you act on them.

Think of a story idea like a fallen tree in your yard. It’s rough and unrefined. To make that wood into something remarkable, you’d have to invest a lot of time and effort into measuring, planning, milling, planning, sawing, hammering, and more. Every piece of wood is unique, full of hidden patterns and possibilities. Some pieces might become furniture, others sculptures, and some may simply get tossed into the firepit. Raw story ideas are much the same.

You may have landed on a compelling character or an intriguing “what if.” But at this stage, it’s impossible to know what your idea can truly become. Its beauty, depth, and power only reveal themselves as you work on it.

The first step in woodworking—and writing—is cutting your raw material into workable pieces. Starting a draft is like shaping your story’s foundation—defining your protagonist’s goal, outlining the plot, or deciding on tone and style. It’s messy, but that’s normal.

Once the pieces are cut, it’s time to assemble them into something solid. For writers, this is the first draft. Hammering a story into shape is hard work. Your sentences feel clunky, your dialogue is awkward, and your pacing uneven. But just like nailing those first boards together, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s creating a framework you can later refine.

Sanding is where the real magic happens. Nail holes are filled, rough edges are smoothed, and, over time, the beauty of the woodgrain is revealed. For us, as writers, this happens during revision. During this stage, you focus on refining your story. You write and work with critique partners to deepen your characters, smooth out plot holes, ascertain whether language could be more lyrical, or jokes could be funnier. What once seemed rough and unfinished begins to shine.

During my very first writing job, I had an editor whose frequent advice was to “polish the wood.” As a 22-year-old, especially one working on a daily newspaper’s tight deadlines, I’m not sure I fully grasped what she was saying. But now it’s clear to me there are many parallels between crafting a story and a piece of furniture. And as you write, I hope you’ll remember:

  1. Get your hands dirty. Embrace the mess of a first draft—it’s part of the process.
  2. Not every project is a success. The table with the wonky leg. The cabinet with the doors that don’t close. The picture book with an overly complicated plot. Rebuilding/rewriting may help. Or it may be time to move on to another promising idea.
  3. Over time, you’ll refine your ability to discern which ideas have the most potential. Just like a veteran carpenter knows to avoid warped or knotty lumber, you’ll learn to identify ideas that may not yield the best stories. Does every idea hit for an experienced writer? Absolutely not. But your success ratio will undoubtedly improve.

It’s easy to fall in love with a story idea and imagine its brilliance. But until you put in the effort to craft it—writing, revising, and polishing—it’s just raw material.

So, keep dreaming, imagining, and capturing those raw ideas. Because, when February rolls around, it’s going to be time to start building. Your masterpiece is waiting.

Mary Boone has done just enough woodworking—and writing—to know that “polishing the wood” really does work. Her books include SCHOOL OF FISH (Albert Whitman & Co.), BUGS FOR BREAKFAST (Chicago Review Press) and PEDAL PUSHER (Henry Holt & Co.). FLYING FEMINIST (Andersen Press) and UNFATHOMABLE (Bright Matter) are set to release in 2026. An Iowa native, Mary now lives in Washington state’s Puget Sound region. To learn more about Mary and her books, you can subscribe to her newsletter, follow her on Instagram @boonewrites, Blue Sky, or visit her website BooneWrites.com.

Mary Boone is giving away three signed copies of her new picture book, PEDAL PUSHER, illustrated by Lisa Anchin, to three separate winners.

You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm 2025 participant and you have commented only once below.

Prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of Storystorm.