New writers sometimes find it challenging to start their first novel. Each individual is different. I prefer to start with a good opening sentence and write from there. Then the story pours out. Some writers use flashcards, Trello, Scrivener, or other methods to map and organize their stories. I tried different ways before I settled on starting with a sentence.
My favorite opening sentence is Franz Kafka’s: “As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.” It was my answering machine message long ago when it was cool to have a creative answering machine message.
Before I write, I make a commitment not to look things up, stop to eat, and get up from my seat for thirty minutes, an hour, or whatever I commit to. I aim to do everything in my power to sit still and write.
I littered my first draft with notes. What was the name of that mountainous road we drove down near Delphi? What’s a common Greek last name? What year is it?
This method stopped me from repeatedly interrupting my writing flow or getting on the internet and falling down a rabbit hole. Writing this way made editing harder, but finishing the story was easier for me, which was the goal all along.
Finding a method that works is the tricky part. I tried different ways until I found the one that inspired me. I recommend joining a writing group–the support, critiques, and pressure to write improved my writing and motivated me to write more.
Finally, a quote from Maya Angelo, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.”