You don't have to begin at the beginning
If you’re trying to get started writing something, and you’re stuck on the beginning, skip the beginning. Author Kathleen Krull puts it like this:
What is your destination, or the target of your book? Many writers, especially mystery writers, actually write the endings of their books first. Your ending may prove a useful starting point in fine-tuning your focus.
There’s no rule that says you have to do what the King of Hearts says (in Alice in Wonderland): “Begin and the beginning, and go on until you come to the end: then stop.” Maybe you know the conclusion you want to leave people with, the one thing you want them to take away. Fine. Begin with that, and then work backwards.
Or start in the middle, organizing your arguments and supporting material, and work your way towards the beginning and the end.
The point is: begin with what you know you want to say, and work from there. Don’t let the notion that you have to start with a solid beginning paralyze you.
Roy Jacobsen
4 Comments
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (4)
Well, duh. (Sound of palm smacking forehead.) I've been struggling with the middle section of the great unfinished novel and you made me realize that I have no idea how it will end. I think I'll start working on the last chapter now...
Everyone works on these things differently, especially when it comes to storytelling. Some people have the entire story arc worked out in their heads, or on notecards, or in an outline. Some start with a character and more-or-less let that character tell his or her own story.
Let us know how things work out on your story, Steve!
i take it that this post like the ones befor it will nerver make it up on this site. if you use a email program like [e-mail provider temporarily deleted] you can recall your email.
Craig,
I'm not sure what posts "like the ones befor it" you're referring to. I have comment moderation turned on to thwart comment spammers, and I'm not always on top of things when it comes to getting the real comments approved and the bogus ones deleted. I don't have a quick way to check this right now, so can you help me out and clarify what post you're talking about?
Also, I'm not sure how being able to recall e-mail is relevant to this entry. Can you clarify?