| Many people want to write. They want to write | | | | After the story is finished, put it aside. Try not to |
| short stories or novels or both. The only problem | | | | think about it and do not - no matter what - pick |
| is they don't know how. And that fear stops | | | | it up and read it. This is called "allowing the story |
| them from even trying. | | | | to bake." |
| There is no easy way to begin writing a story. | | | | If it's a book you need to let it bake for 6-8 |
| There also isn't an easy way to begin writing each | | | | weeks. If it's a short story then you need to let it |
| day. In fact, beginning to write is more than half | | | | bake for 2-3 weeks. |
| the battle. And because it's so difficult to start, | | | | This will allow you to distance yourself from the |
| many people never get past that first big | | | | story. You'll be able to come back to it with a |
| obstacle. | | | | new perspective. You won't feel so personally |
| The best way to overcome the beginners block is | | | | involved with it. |
| simple: just start writing. It sounds simple and it is. | | | | After you let the story bake, you're going to be |
| Just start writing. | | | | writing "with the door open." Now, you want to |
| Don't worry about the quality of what you write - | | | | read it with other people in mind. |
| you can always change it later. Just write! | | | | How does it sound? Does it make sense? Does it |
| Now, once you give yourself permission to write | | | | flow well? |
| whether it's good, bad, or somewhere in | | | | Make any and all changes. Re-write and re-write |
| between, just keep writing until you finish. | | | | some more until you have the best product |
| Undoubtedly you'll have times when the words | | | | possible. |
| flow like a beautiful river and then you'll have | | | | When you think it's done, let a few trusted people |
| times when it feels like your words are nails that | | | | read it. Listen to what they think and any |
| you're pulling out of a board. | | | | suggestions they may have. Then re-write the |
| Just keep writing. | | | | story again. |
| What you're doing is writing "with the door | | | | After this final re-write, you should have a |
| closed." No one is going to be reading this version | | | | completed story. It may not be perfect in your |
| of the story, so don't worry about it. You're only | | | | eyes but as long as it's as close as you think it |
| writing for yourself and to get the story down on | | | | can get then it's done. |
| paper. | | | | Congratulations! You've written your story. |