Burning Insight

[Brittany]

Have you tried taking one facet of your ideas and translating it into a short story? I think stories can be fantastic vehicles to get ideas across that aren't so easy to explain in language. I think here is where the archetypes' complexity becomes an ally instead of a barrier.

The short story is also excellent for training tight structure and efficient character development, if fiction turns out to work for you. Also, I've heard some great modern writers suggest the easiest way to become a published novelist is to submit short science fiction stories since there is still an active magazine readership, editors will always read them if you submit.

The other benefit is you don't get mired in a huge project that takes a decade. If it doesn't work you can just see it as practice and toss it back.
The key is what Marc said, focus on what you can do.

Fiction is pretty much the only thing I write, as I find the easiest way to convey lessons is through stories and allegories. I tried non-fiction, and though I can do it, it bores me to tears. I have succeeded in writing only a few short stories, though, because usually condensing everything down into a few pages seems impossible. In fact, finding a concrete beginning and end at all is difficult. I've got dozens of stories that I ended up dropping because they just got too big, and the actual plot was lost as the world became a living creation with a free will all its own. Don't even get me started on how difficult it is to work with characters who've become self aware and could care less about whether your plot makes sense or not. I've entertained the idea of just writing a never-ending story, but it doesn't bring the same level of satisfaction.