The most common issue of writing that I hear from everyone
is starting the first chapter. Whether it's writing an article, novel, report,
or something else. It's a matter of starting that first sentence. We know it
needs something to catch someone's attention, especially if we want to keep
them hooked or interested in reading further. Unfortunately, not every portion
of a book is going to be action-packed and reports never are unless you are
giving a memorable speech.
When starting your first sentence
in the story, before writing anything. I want you to picture the setting,
picture your scene, and what your surroundings look like. This doesn't have to
be where you start your story but getting a physical image in your mind can
help figure out where you want to start. What are your characters doing? Where
do you want your readers to enter the story, after it already started in the middle?
Mix it up a little and have it start not quite at the end, possibly a, “maybe I
should explain how we wound up in this situation” type beginning. Is there
something your reader needs to know before reading the story? Perhaps, skip the
start and delve right into the middle of the story. I’ve had several important
scenes, determined where they needed to happen, and pieced them together and
the beginning became clearer what I needed to write.
If you’re still stumped, I love reading a favorite book or any
book by one of my favorite authors. I like how Stephen King starts each of his
books. Anne Rice is another favorite of mine. Go to your local library and
stand in the fiction section or non-fiction if that is what you happen to be
writing. Pick up random books and read the first three sentences. After reading
each one, ask yourself what it's saying. Ask if it has your attention, if not
how would you reword their beginning to catch your attention. Sometimes reading
someone else’s writing can be easier to change than your own.
If you’re still stumped, it could be you are putting too
much pressure on yourself. Some people need to sit and write for so many hours
a day while others could write something, stop for a year and pick back up
where they left off. If you have the itch to write but not quite the story you’re
working on. Try a writing exercise. Pick an object near you and describe it in
writing. After you write it, see how you started the description.
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