A Stupid Secret About Writing

It's so stupid it's smart.

Here’s a stupid secret about writing I wish I’d learned years ago.

You don't have to start at the beginning.

Sounds simple, right?

The problem is we humans are taught to think in a linear fashion, but our brains don’t always work this way. (At least, mine doesn’t.) So no wonder we struggle when we are trying to force ourselves to start at the beginning.

Which gets us to another problem:

It’s easy to put too much pressure on the first line. So much so, you stay stuck there trying to dream up the “perfect” opening.

So don't start there.

Start with the idea that's clearest in your mind, the part you're practically exploding to let out. Listen to your brain.

Remember: Just because the reader sees it first doesn't mean you have to write it first.

No one ever has to know. That’s why it’s a secret

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NONFICTION

Okay, so how does this look when you’re working on a nonfiction book?

It starts with brainstorming your outline.

Instead of trying to write the book without one, sit down and list out the Top 10 questions you get about your work/life. Don’t worry if you can’t come up with 10 exactly. Maybe you come up with 7 or 20. You can refine and revise.

Take the first one—the most common—and then write a two-sentence summary of how you respond to this question. If you find you have more than two sentences in you, go with it. Let the words flow!

Then list out three examples of how this looks in your work/life. If you don’t have three examples of your own, don’t stress. You can use examples from other places.

For example (see what I did there?), let’s say you’re writing a book about adoption and the top question you get from clients is “What adoption agency should I choose?” Your response might look like this:

“It depends on what type of adoption you’re pursuing. Have you and your partner discussed this yet? Do you have a preference for foster-to-adopt, international, or embryo adoption? If international, have you discussed which countries? Getting on the same page about these important decisions will immediately help you narrow down your agency options.

For instance:

If you decide you favor foster-to-adopt, you’ll need to learn what your state requires of you to become a licensed foster parent first.

If you decide international, you’ll need to look at the Department of State website to see what agencies work with which countries.

If you decide to do embryo adoption, you’ll need to talk to your doctor to see if there are any medical concerns about undergoing IVF. Plus, are you emotionally and mentally prepared for going through a miscarriage—or multiple miscarriages—in the process?”

As you go through your list, you’ll start to see the holes and where you need to add more material. You might realize, “Oh no, I left out private placement adoption!” And then you’ll go back to start adding in that content where it makes sense.

In other words, follow the natural flow of your brain. Later on, you can go back and add in your intro paragraph. It’s not unusual for your intro to be one of the last pieces you write!

FICTION

Alright, now what does this look like for fiction?

This is where I myself get tripped up. But one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in screenwriting is it doesn’t matter what you write first so long as it all ends up in the right order in the end. The first scene of my award-winning script Golden Girl was actually one of the very last I wrote.

Once again, a good outline will help here. You need to know at least a rough idea of where the story is going. I personally don’t usually do a detailed outline, but I at least jot down a couple sentences about what needs to happen in the chapter. Like so:

Chapter 1: Down the Hill

Jack and Jill go up the hill to fetch a pail of water. Jack falls down and breaks his crown, and Jill comes tumbling after.

Chapter 2: Into Rhymeland

Jack and Jill inadvertently go through a portal and find themselves in Rhymeland where they meet Humpty Dumpty. He tells them about how the country is ruled by a ruthless tyrant witch known as Mother Goose and that Jack and Jill are in danger because they are mentioned in a prophecy about how she will be overthrown.

Chapter 3: The Turncoat

When they cross paths with some of Mother Goose’s minions—the Blackbirds—Humpty Dumpty betrays Jack and Jill who then are forced to run for their lives.

Now, I might start out writing Chapter 1, but if I get stuck on a certain point, like maybe I’m struggling to come up with the inciting event that compels Jack and Jill to go fetch a pail of water, I might just go ahead and skip to Chapter 2 and start writing it. It might actually spark my imagination to come up with the inciting event. Then I can go back to Chapter 1 with this creative spark and apply it.

By following the clearest idea first, you can remove the pressure of having to have all of the answers right from the beginning. Let the book show you the way. It’s part of the magic of writing!

Until next time…keep moving ForWord!

If you’re still feeling stuck and need to talk it out, then book a 1-hour book coaching call with me.