The reality is, however, that we can contemplate and research and dream up the ultimate epic for the rest of our lives, and the first draft still won’t be perfect. But you still need a first draft to get to the perfect story below, so how do you get started?
I think there are times when a prologue is helpful and times when it isn’t, and I know not everyone agrees. That said, you’ll want to keep some things in mind when starting with a prologue.
It’s not glamorous, not yet. I work too hard and I’m stressed about deadlines, but I don’t go into an office, I don’t dress up every day, I don’t have a thankless position somewhere. I’m my own boss, I set my own office hours and I write for a living.
Our careers may look very solidly set when we take the first step into the unknown, but the truth is that these things change in ways we could never expect or imagine.
Here’s what you need to know about being a writer. You have to get up. Because no matter how long it takes you, no matter how battle-weary you feel, no matter how many times you’ve cried this year, if you don’t get up, that’s game over.
Your first draft is going to be rough and the sooner in the process, you accept that uncomfortable reality, the more likely it is you’re actually going to finish your book.
If you’re on the journey toward your next story, play, poem, article or novel check out some of the most fundamental reasons for why NaNo works and how you can do it all year long.
