A HOPEFUL HEART â—½ YOU
Dear First Author, Just Start Writing
by Christina Oberon
When I published my first book, it felt like one of my greatest accomplishments. It was truly a starting point for all the growth and refining that would take place. Now, four books later, I can look back at the lessons and "what I wish I'd known then" since that first draft.
Writing can seem like an insurmountable task for aspiring authors. The blank page stares back, a challenge that taunts you with its emptiness. I remember having ideas swirling in my mind, characters begging for life, and worlds waiting to be explored. Yet, the act of putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, often felt like a Herculean effort. One thing I've learned is that the solution is surprisingly simple: just start writing.
The first hurdle for many is the fear of imperfection. This was an ongoing battle for me. I would envision my masterpiece, and anything less felt like a failure. But here’s a secret, the first draft is supposed to be messy. It's not about perfection; it's about getting your ideas down. Think of your first draft as a lump of clay. It's not the finished sculpture, but it’s the raw material you need to create something beautiful. As someone who tends to be a perfectionist, I've learned to embrace the chaos and let go of the need to be perfect.
Another common obstacle is the myth of inspiration. Many aspiring authors wait for the perfect moment, the lightning bolt of creativity to strike. I have often been guilty of this. But inspiration is fickle and unreliable. If you wait for it, you might find yourself waiting forever. Instead, it is helpful to establish a writing routine. Set aside a specific time each day, even if it’s just 15 minutes, to write. Treat it like any other appointment, and stick to it. Over time, you’ll find that the act of writing itself can summon inspiration.
In the common case of writer’s block, the key is to break free from the pressure of starting at the beginning. Sometimes the opening scene is the hardest to write. If that’s the case, start in the middle. Write the scenes that excite you, the dialogues that buzz in your head, the climactic moments that make your heart race. You can always go back and fill in the gaps later. This is a skill I developed over time, as writer's block would cause me to freeze in my tracks. The important thing is to keep writing, to keep the momentum going.
Don’t be afraid to write badly. This might sound counterintuitive, but it’s a liberating concept. Give yourself permission to write terrible sentences, nonsensical dialogues, and cliched descriptions. The goal is to get words on the page. You can refine, polish, and perfect them later. Every writer, including myself, has written cringe-worthy passages; it’s part of the process. What matters is that you’re writing, you’re creating, and you’re moving forward.
Remember, writing is a journey. It’s filled with ups and downs, moments of doubt, and bursts of brilliance. Every word you write is a step forward, a piece of the puzzle that makes up your story. Celebrate the small victories, whether it’s completing a chapter, solving a plot hole, or simply writing consistently for a week.
So, aspiring authors, the best advice is simple: just start writing. Embrace the imperfections, establish a routine, and give yourself the freedom to write badly. Let go of the fear and dive into the adventure of storytelling. Creating your story is a process, built one word at a time. Happy writing!