Facing the Blank Page

Posted by Kim Doty on Apr 23, 2013 in Weekly Writing Quote | 0 comments

In the beginning — as you’re trying to put the first words on the blank page of your newest work in progress — it’s easy to feel as though each word you write should be perfect. You want to start strong. You want to write that perfect opening paragraph that will unfold brilliantly into a complete masterpiece.

Don’t put so much pressure on yourself.

No word you write in your first draft has to be permanent. You might need to ramble on for several pages before you really know where you want your story to begin.

There’s no point in holding back. If you write something that isn’t relevant, doesn’t sound right, or doesn’t make sense — you can always fix it later. Just put some words on the page so that you have something to work with and build from.

There’s only one way to get the ball rolling toward a finished manuscript. You have to start somewhere — anywhere, really. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just write.

 
Takeaway Tweets

“You can fix anything but a blank page.” — Nora Roberts Tweet This

There’s no point in holding back. If you write something that doesn’t work — you can always fix it later. Tweet This

Just put some words on the page so that you have something to work with and build from. Tweet This

It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just write. Tweet This

 
Do you have any tips for starting a new manuscript?

  
There’s much to be said about the craft of writing. That’s why each week on the Abbott Press blog, we’ll take a look at what some of our favorite authors and thinkers have to say about this challenging, fulfilling and sometimes mystifying art. We hope these discussions will help you to further refine your own ideas about writing and to achieve new insights into your own creative process. Browse Weekly Writing Quotes »