tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post5785133279463646230..comments2024-03-29T03:42:04.742-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: What to Do When First-Chapter Fears Paralyze UsJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-35702029327582222352023-09-25T10:18:33.725-04:002023-09-25T10:18:33.725-04:00Appreciate this blog posttAppreciate this blog posttAnswer Printhttps://answerprint.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-9379514385577663372015-07-08T20:27:54.763-04:002015-07-08T20:27:54.763-04:00Hey, Jody! Your point 2 is the best one. First Cha...Hey, Jody! Your point 2 is the best one. First Chapter Fear is just another form or Writer's Block, and the only way to counter it is to put something -- anything! -- down on the page. You can always fix it later, but you can't fix a blank. And sometimes the BLEAH! you put down sparks an idea that takes you somewhere you didn't expect, but that turns out pretty cool!Warjnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13306714545647442173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-26651663347241518582015-05-05T15:31:03.782-04:002015-05-05T15:31:03.782-04:00I'll admit that I am plagued by this pretty ba...I'll admit that I am plagued by this pretty badly. However, I have found something that works for me. I pick a scene from the book that I have already planned out (no matter where in the story it is) and write THAT- then I go from there.V.L. Jenningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16683141472397884342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-31507399296818058432015-05-05T15:11:03.722-04:002015-05-05T15:11:03.722-04:00Jody,
A great post. Thanks for the reminder.
As ...Jody,<br /><br />A great post. Thanks for the reminder.<br /><br />As writers, we all too often fall victim to fear and then let it determine what we do with our writing talents.<br /><br />Fears about inadequacy are a constant companion. They periodically raise their heads throughout the writing process--sometimes even after a first draft is successfully completed. They always say the same thing.<br /><br />"This is trash. Who do you think you are, trying to be a writer?"<br /><br />Fortunately, the tips you shared in this post work at all stages of the writing process.<br /><br />Thanks again and best wishes,<br /><br />CarrieCarrie Lynn Lewishttp://www.carrielynnlewis.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-68100422654804741892015-05-05T09:38:59.035-04:002015-05-05T09:38:59.035-04:00Writing those first few words, first sentences, fi...Writing those first few words, first sentences, first scene is one of the hardest things for me to do as a writer. I never like my first scene. I write and rewrite until I'm somewhat satisfied but still don't love it. The fear that it isn't good enough is always there. And it certainly doesn't help when we hear over and over how important that first scene (and even first sentence) is when trying to hook a reader. Knowing that a reader may potentially put the book down and give up all together if the beginning isn't good enough is a daunting notion. <br /><br />But I do exactly what you said - write no matter how bad it is. I repeat over and over to myself that it doesn't have to be perfect, it can be edited and rewritten later. A bad first draft is better than no first draft. <br /><br />I'm glad to hear even seasoned writers have a hard time with this, that I'm not alone. A general rule that I try to follow is to have the hero and heroine meet as soon as possible, in the first scene preferably. I feel like this gets the story going quickly. Of course this isn't possible for every story, but I remember reading a book where the two main characters didn't meet until halfway through the book and I thought, no, this doesn't work. Shelly Daumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02783105000628699370noreply@blogger.com