I struggle at the beginning of every chapter. I review my outline and say, “This part is boring. Maybe I should cut it.” However, I had spent a great deal of time designing the story and the scenes in this chapter are important to the story’s progress. I tell myself it’s here for a reason. I must trust my design and write the chapter and its scenes. In revision, I will make adjustments, but not now.
I fight procrastination to force myself to slog through. Sometimes, great ideas emerge and I begin feeling better. Other times, I simply use craft skills to get the writing done.
Once finished, the same thing always happens. I sit back, read the chapter aloud, and say, “That’s good.” After applying a little editing, I feel even better about it. I like what I write regardless of the weight of my doubts when I first begin.
With every chapter and every scene, as I resist beginning, I tell myself, “When I finish, I will like it. The quicker I write it, the quicker that reward will come.”
Few things are harder than writing those first few words.
The first few words are hard.