The first step

Much like a baby's initial attempt at walking, the first step in writing a novel is often the one filled with the most excitement and splendor...and usually the one that results in a terrific fall flat on your face. In fact, you could argue that the first step for a writer in constructing a complete and gripping narrative is even more comparable to a child's first step in that it will take many, many attempts and countless mistakes that must be corrected before he/she feels secure and able enough to move on with that all-too-important second step (or act, for our screenwriting/playwright friends).

In addition, the beginning of any story is what hooks the reader and draws them in to a world you must establish, a character you must encourage your reader to invest a personal interest in, and a story in which the reader develops a stake in regarding what happens next. Plus, your entire story arc is built upon the foundation of that first few chapters, much like a baby's first step is the cornerstone of his or her development when it comes to walking, running, and jumping.

For me, there were at least eight "falls" that had to be revised with the beginning of my manuscript and it was certainly a painful process at times, as much discouragement and frustration as well as a daunting task that never seemed to have a resolution.

But as it is in life, so it is in storytelling and any creative endeavor worth doing; nothing worthwhile in the world comes easy. It's not about how many times you fall or get knocked down, but how fast you get back to your feet that measures your progress. Writing is as much patience and endurance as it is talent and imagination.