5 Tips for Writing Your First Few Pages

Sometimes, starting a brand new project is the hardest part of writing. There are so many different ways a story could go when you’re staring at a blank page! Luckily, even if you’re having trouble, it’s never too late to start. Today, NaNoWriMo writer Kelly is here to share some tips on beginning: 

Imagine the world’s most intense staring contest. That’s how I would describe my attempts to write my first paragraph or page. I stare at a sheet of paper, occasionally scribbling out some sentences and then immediately erasing them. It can get pretty frustrating as the minutes pass by and I’m still engaged in the staring contest. 

I bet many writers out there have found themselves in a similar predicament from time to time. And since it’s the first week of Camp NaNoWriMo, taking on the challenge of writing your project’s opening sentences can be especially intimidating. To help you conquer those starting words so you can confidently embark on your writing journey, I’ll be sharing some tips that I’ve gathered from my own experiences:

1. Collect ideas. 

Before you start writing, it can be helpful to have ideas of what you want your first page or paragraph to look like. One approach is to use the work of successful writers as a model. Observing the way writers begin their pieces can give you some ideas as to how to start yours (but please do not plagiarize!). Inspiration can also just come to you at the most random times. I recommend recording the ideas you come up with, so you don’t forget them and you can use them to guide you when you’re ready to start writing.

2. Make a plan.

If your ideas are all over the place, it can be hard to write those first words. This is where an outline can come in handy. An outline breaks down your major ideas and organizes them, and it can be useful when you’re starting to write the introduction for your project. What your outline looks like is up to you, so if doodling helps you envision what your project’s first sentences look like, go for it!

3. Find an ideal writing environment.

Choose a space that makes you happy and boosts your productivity. You can put your favorite playlist on shuffle, go out in the sun, prepare some snacks, or you don’t have to do any of the things I just listed. Everyone has different preferences, so where you write is completely up to you.

4. Set a timer and just write. 

This is a trustworthy method that I turn to when all other methods fail. I set the clock for twenty to thirty minutes and just write or type without stopping. During this time, I don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or making sure my sentences are exactly the way I want them to be. What I end up with may not always be good, but at least I have something to work with. And as the writer Jodi Picoult once said,“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” 

5. Take a deep breath (or maybe a few) and smile! 

My best piece of advice for you is to write with joy. If you’re not writing with joy, then the process is going to be a lot more painful and a lot more frustrating. So if words are just not coming to you, then don’t force yourself to write. Take a break, do something you love doing, and come back when you’re ready and feeling inspired and joyful. 

Kelly is from California and her written works have won awards on the local and national level. When she’s not experimenting with poetry and other forms of creative writing, she reads, plays the new Animal Crossing game, binge-watches Netflix, and consumes an exorbitant amount of chocolate. 

Top photo by Kaitlyn Baker on Unsplash