How To Start

A message for everyone (PLUS a new podcast episode!)

Image credit: Fab Lentz via Unsplash

Dear Creators,

It seems simple enough — you grab a notebook, a pen, a laptop (or whatever it is you prefer to use), you sit down, and you write.

“Just write!” is the advice I see most often — and have given myself, in the past. What could be simpler than a word on a page?

But somewhere between our desire to create and the act of creating, things get a little more… complicated.

We worry about failure. We realize we have too many ideas to choose from — or worse, none at all. We get stuck, crabby, and frustrated when our tangled ideas don’t translate into written words the way we want them to. We often have no idea where — or how — to start.

And with that, “Just write!” shifts from the obvious to the oblivious, into something almost insulting, like telling a person with anxiety to “Just stop worrying!” or a smoker to “Just stop smoking!”

“Great!” we respond, hopefully keeping our irritation in check. “But how?”

There are a million bajillion books and videos and classes and podcasts out there about how to write, and I’m not going to presume to know best. All I know is what has worked for me, and I want to share it with you, in case it works for you, too.

With that in mind, I began to make some notes about my own writing process, how I started writing each day, and where my stories began. And, in the spirit of horribly overthinking everything, I soon found myself wondering what a “beginning” even was.

Does a story “begin” with the first word on the page? Does it “begin” with an outline? A character sketch? An idea?

I came to the conclusion — with which you may or may not agree — that a story actually begins with its creator, and that is us.

So let’s start there. Who are you, this person who may or may not identify as a writer, who may be a complete beginner, or who may have already published a dozen books?

I promise I’m not trying to over-complicate an already complicated process. But I think it helps to understand and acknowledge who we are and where we are in our writing process to establish and temper our expectations, and to provide clarity that will help us move forward.

And to do that, I’d encourage you to engage with the steps below — to journal through them, or even simply think about them:

1. Acknowledge where you are, without judgment or self-criticism. And if you, like so many writers, feel like you don’t have the “right” background or credentials — a degree, a certain number of creative writing classes, etc. — I want you to remember that Jane Austen did not need an MFA to write. Neither do you.

2. Understand what you want to get out of the writing experience — is your goal to publish a book, to process your thoughts, to share a story that’s burning a hole in your heart, or to simply have fun? What will make this experience fulfilling for you?

3. Don’t expect to be amazing — or even good — right away. Seriously. Your work will not line up with the vision you have of it in your head, and that is perfectly normal. Even “experts” will go through tons of drafts before they get it right — we just don’t get to see all of those crumpled-up papers in Hemingway’s trash can.

4. Start with whatever you’re most excited to write. If you’re excited to put down the first word of your novel, a paragraph about your main character’s backstory, a brief five-bullet-point outline of the plot, or a memory about your grandmother, write that first. If you’re not exactly sure where to begin, try a writing prompt, journaling, fanfiction, or even imitating your favorite writer. Whichever you choose, remember to follow your sense of curiosity and wonder. Your work will be better for it.

5. Don’t worry about the “rules” right now — e.g., three-act structure, seven-act structure, beat sheets, character arcs, prepositions, etc. Processes are highly individualized and not every writer’s advice will work for you. You are an artist, and your job is to experiment. Trial-and-error has been the best teacher I’ve ever had.

6. Be gentle with yourself, especially since obstacles like fear and doubt can crop up like wildfire. If (and when) that happens, remember why you started writing, and what you want to get out of it. If you find yourself growing angry or frustrated, or if your brain has started to melt and you’re not having fun, take a break and get back to it later. Give yourself the grace you need.

If you’d like to hear more about how to start writing, I very coincidentally released a Write Now podcast episode yesterday on this exact topic:

Listen now for free on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | My website

Again, there is no “one size fits all” advice when it comes to writing. There are no silver bullets. But I’d encourage you to start here, gently, and feel out what works for you — and what doesn’t.

If any of this gets you writing, let me know. Or if you have your own rubrick or process for beginning, I would truly love to hear it.

Words & warmth,
Sarah

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Thank you as always for reading, and happy writing. You can do this.

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