I am wrestling with the beginning of a new story right now. For me, this is the hardest part of writing. There are so many different possibilities. And I often need to try out several of them, before I can find one that will sustain the story I want to tell. And even then, I will likely come back later and have to change it all, because the story I think I want to tell isn't always the story I need to tell.

When I think about it too much, I freeze. I stare at the blank screen, thinking-thinking-thinking, convincing myself that I need to get it right, that there must be some way to find that perfect beginning that will make it all fall into place.

I need to remember that sometimes (a lot of times) I need to explore. I need those false starts to be able to recognize the true one. And I am not going to find it if I sit here, frozen.

So off I go.


That photo is Ice Rider by Matthieu Paley.

~

While I am off getting un-frozen, here are a few other things:

If you are plugged into the online writing community you have probably already seen author Jo Knowles marvelous and inspiring post on living life. But just in case you haven't I will point you to it again. Do try to watch the video she includes, which is an interview with Maurice Sendak. It is sad, but I found it uplifting as well.

Here's a thought-provoking article from the NY Times on the nature of story-telling and how it is changing with the rise of visual media.

And lastly, if you need soothing or cheering, there is a brand new litter of puppies on the Explore Service Puppy Cam. They are just starting to walk! Once they are older, they will be trained as service dogs to help disabled veterans.