Everyone assumes there’s a master plan.

A spreadsheet. A calendar. A perfectly mapped-out publishing roadmap where every book releases on schedule.

And yes—I do plan.

But some of my best books were written because something in me said,

“No. This one. Now.”

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, I’m sharing how I actually decide what book to write next—and when I choose to ignore the plan and trust the story instead.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How I balance long-term strategy with creative intuition
• Why having a plan matters (and why it shouldn’t be a prison)
• Recognizing the stories that won’t wait
• How reader demand quietly shapes creative decisions
• When breaking your own rules is the right move
• Choosing the right book at the right time—not just the next one on the list

If you’re a writer, this is a behind-the-scenes look at the invisible decisions that shape a career.

If you’re a reader, it’s a glimpse into how the stories you love are chosen—and why some arrive sooner than expected.

Behind every “next book” is a hundred unseen choices. Strategy matters. Planning matters. But so does listening—to the story, to yourself, and to the people walking these worlds with you.

Sometimes the bravest creative decision isn’t sticking to the plan. It’s trusting yourself enough to know when it’s time to change it.

If this episode resonated, I’d love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who loves stories as much as we do.

Until next time—keep telling the stories that won’t let you go.