Getting Started

Someone asked me how to start writing.  Here are some tips:

• Make the time.  Every day, if you can.  If you can’t manage some spare time every day, take time whenever you can.
• Use your preferred writing medium:  computer or paper and start writing whatever is in your mind or heart. 
• Write anything.  Write everything.  Don’t stop until you’re ready. 
• Don’t worry about grammar or punctuation; you can take care of that later when you edit.
• When an idea strikes, wherever you are, jot it down so you can use it later.
• A good book to get you started might be Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.  Easy to read with some good suggestions.

Remember, it’s not how well you start; it’s how well you finish.  So start in whatever way works for you and then work at it until you finish.  I tend to write fairly complete first drafts, but my novel may be in it’s 20th rewrite!