Page Fright

This is a term I was not familiar with until I actually started talking with fellow writers and realized that there are terms for almost every sort of writing based consternation.

The other day I finally say down to start writing my next novel. I say finally, but I only finished editing my last one a few weeks ago. Still it has been several months since I really wrote anything substantial.

"Nail that first line" I told myself, "No, just get something down, you can change it later."I answered. "No, the first line sets the tone for everything." I countered. So the argument raged until, before I knew it, not only had the opening line appeared, but the closing one also.

I sat back, suddenly nerverackingly aware that I was doing it, I was writing. Was my opening sentence the BANG factor that I have longed for ever since reading the opening line of Kathy Reichs debut novel Deja Dead. No, not when read on its own. But, when coupled with the final paragraph. Oh boy… I love it.

It was a sobering moment. I was actually scared, and my hands were clammy as they hovered over the keys. It was a strange reaction and one I have never really had before. Then again, the last three years have been spent working on in effect the same novel. Ok, it is two novels but they are part of a series. So I'm sure you can see my way of thinking.

I only started thinking of myself as being a writer when I wrote Highway to Hell. As a result of job losses, unemployment, babies and all manner of financial problems, it took a long time to write. The sequel not so much, but all told, these books are all I have ever known.

Now, here I am, standing on the abyss of a new adventure and I just have no idea as to what way I am going.  The one thing I do know is that I cannot wait to find out.