The Fear of the First Blank Page.
A blank page makes me nervous but the first sentence makes me even more anxious. I have an idea – an idea that won’t go away but getting it down on the page seems to be more of an issue.
I sit down at the computer, I open up a word document and I begin. The motivation and momentum is strong but it’s not long before these run out and the lack of confidence creeps in, at which point I will stop writing, read what I’ve written and then decide it’s not good enough despite it being a first draft.
This has resulted in many false starts. I will tell myself that it’s necessary and that this will be the time where I keep going.
I have been reading author interviews and trying to channel the advice of “keep going,” and of course I know they are right.
The first sentence and the first chapter beyond that is scary but I do need to keep going. It’s just something I’m wishing I could put into practice.
Anyone else having trouble starting? Anyone have any advice for keeping the momentum going?
by 
I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.
2 Responses to The Fear of the First Blank Page.
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Book Club
Hi Laura,
Yes, it is the most intimidating part of writing. The nothing that needs to become something. The first page is important, it needs to draw the reader in straight away. I think the answer is to go with your gut instinct. The beauty of the PC is that when you come back to it you can change it without any trouble if you like. I find that I start the first draft and once I’m a good way in I then go back and look at the very beginning. I may tweak, I may completely rewrite. My current WIP started in one way but after a couple of chapters I went back and wrote two new pages which I tucked in before the original start. Much better! I think there’s a danger that if you type up a couple of pages and then decide it’s not right you could be faced with multiple false starts. Much better to bash a couple of chapters out first and then look at it. Hope that’s helpful.
Some very good advice there. x