Now that you’ve found your starting point, those first words can give a writer the wickedest of headaches. Sometimes the best rush. There are times I want to start with: Once upon a time, or, It was a dark and stormy night. Are these really bad openings?
Given one is thought of as fairy tale usage and the other has become a contest for worse openings – yes, not a good start.
Is…the night raged under the clouds…any better?
Okay, I like – raged – but, it can be difficult to see clouds at night. A moonless night? Where are the stars, house lights, streetlights? Shadowy?
I know. Write anything and worry the details later. What then of – if the writer doesn’t feel it neither will the reader – ?
A writer can easily block themselves with this thinking. Lately, I’ve been starting and then changing after a few…warm-up?…lines and writing more, feeling more.
Last night, in the dark with only the television light, I started writing something new. Started with a setting and building and moved from there. I haven’t yet captured what my mind saw, but I’m going to leave it for free-thought, random writing. See where it takes me. I have enough stories on the go as it is.
Too many? Is that my problem?
No. For me, I need to visit each story not because of any boredom, but because it’s what works for me. Keeps my mind centered.
Maybe using those old starts would work, at least until the right words show up.
As with most posts, this one ended up on a different path than where I thought I was headed.