The problem that many writers have is the misconception that words drive writing, that in order to begin you have to have just the right first sentence or first paragraph.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Although as writers we love words and language, words are the vehicles through which writers get their characters and stories down on the page.
If you begin with words - if you are under the misconception that you need the perfect opening sentence or paragraph - the chances are you will end up fiddling and futzing with that first sentence or paragraph until, in desperation, you give up in despair.
There is a reason for this.
Words reside in the left side of the brain, which is the home of the intellect, of judgment, evaluation and the Inner Critic.
Ah, the Inner Critic, that voice inside your head that's full of have to, and don't do, and if you're going to be a writer than you have to write a nice story, not too much sex or violence.
You have to write what you know.
Forget the imagination, you really have no imagination anyway.
What you should write is a page turner.
And if it's not on the best seller's list...
well, you'll never make the best seller list anyway, so you might as well give up now.
And remember, don't write anything that will won't embarrass the family...
"Have to, have to, have to!...
should, should, should!...
write this, don't ever write that!" Whenever you hear these words, take note.
Your Inner Critic is controlling the show.
What you want is for you Inner Writer to step forth.
Then you can really start writing.
Here is an exercise to get you started.
Answer the questions quickly.
Imagine that you are not answering.
Instead, invite your Inner Writer to write.
Don't think you have an Inner Writer? You do! Your Inner Writer doesn't think a lot.
Your Inner Writer feels and see and plays.
She's open to the flow and the unexpected, cosmic realm of the creative unconscious.
So don't think! Thinking will take you into your left brain and the domain of the Inner Critic who might think this is a really dumb exercise and this person, Emily Hanlon, doesn't know what she's talking about and you'd do better by cleaning up the kitchen.
Here is the exercise: Think of someone you really hate or strongly dislike, someone who drives you nuts.
Write down his or her name here: If the person who's name you wrote down were an animal, what kind of animal would he or she be? If the person were a color, what color would he or she be? List as many adjectives as you can think of to describe this person.
Don't worry if you put down nouns too.
Just begin to list: If this person were an object in nature, what would her or she be? ie, a tidal wave, a black rose...
whatever.
List some verbs to describe how the person moves: Give your person a new name.
Imagine that person doing something terrible.
Don't hold back.
The doing is the action or the dramatic tension.
Remember, it's easier to write big than small.
Try to write something you wouldn't normally try.
A fight, for example.
Make it a big fight--maybe even a murder! Nobody has to see it except you and your Inner Writer.
Begin with ideas and images from your answers above.
Write without thinking.
Don't judge.
Just write.
Fast.
In the world of the imagination, there is no right or wrong.
Go for it.
Have fun!