Have the Courage to Start Again

Sometimes you start work on a story and plunge your heart and soul into it. You put your tears and sweat into this story, and when things seem to get tough you keep tinkering and re-tinkering with it, trying to figure out a way to make it work. It's a losing battle, but you're afraid to let it go.

Or else you've just successfully finished a story. It took a tremendous amount of effort, but you worked hard and you know that it's some of your best work.

And now the blank page of your next project is staring you in the face.

So what do you do when you have to start again?

Beginnings, in addition to being the most important parts of stories, are also the most difficult to write. We can feel intimidated by the prospect of finding a new idea, finding that energy and drive and will to work again. Each new story is, for me at least, a whole new adventure, and a new time that I've got to get on the horse. It can be extremely daunting.

But the most important thing to remember is that a new project needs the courage and boldness that you put into your previous work. Sometimes stories die; there isn't much you can do about it. Dig into your new work with the same gusto you expressed in that earlier story. Or on the other side of things, congrats for writing a great story. Now get back to work! And you'd better bring the same energy that story was written with to your next piece.

After the jump: ways to write without fear.

This was the rule my writing professor gave us on the first day: "write without fear." Your story will suffer if you begin by sticking a toe in the water. So try a few of these exercises to conquer that blank page:

Try a writing prompt to jump in.
Sometimes a writing exercise that makes you think on your feet can get you going. Try looking at my writing exercise post about thinking fast.

Return to an old project.
Sometimes a good way back onto the horse can be looking at an older project you abandoned. Just make sure you bring purpose and energy to your reworking of it.

Find a new setting.
Not writing in that office of yours? Then change up your locale. Changing the setting can often trick your brain into thinking this new place is a place for creative work. Find a place where you can concentrate and vow not to leave until you get some good work done.

These are just a few ideas so that you can find your courage again. Be brave when you start a project, writers!

Comments

[Gordon]

Beginning is never easy is it? Always there is that zero point from which it is very hard to move on, but once you do, it gets much easier.