I am drafting. I like to write a first draft without going back to revise anything until the whole thing is on the screen. Get the story out kinda deal.
Well, it was my turn in my online writers group…The Walrus Writers, yes the name means something, but if I tell you I’ll have to kill you. So…yeah.
Anyway, I decided to send them my first chapter…and I did a bit of revising, because PANIC OMG I CAN’T SEND THEM THIS! happened in my head.
But really, there was nothing I could do to make it fabulous…it’s THE BEGINNING. Maybe I started it in the wrong place…maybe I left out some important information *cough*character’s age*cough*…maybe I should have added a couple scenes. I DON’T KNOW! But everyone’s comments made me think about all of that and more.
But I am drafting. So no going back right now. I’m going to let my creative brain sit on all the thoughts and maybe when I go back, I’ll have an idea.
Maybe.
But let’s be honest. Beginnings are the spawn of the Devil. They are evil. I hate them. I think I know where the story starts, then I QUESTION EVERY THING! I think I know my main character, then they change as I write the story.
So evil beginning, we will meet again. After I finish the draft. After I think on what I learned from the story. After I let all the thoughts marinate in my brain.
Will I ever start the story in the right place? IS THERE EVEN A RIGHT PLACE?
Will I ever get all the information I need into a beginning on the first try?
Will I ever not hate beginnings?
Nope to all the questions.
Nope.
Nope.
Nope.
Because that’s how the writing process goes. The manuscript grows and changes. It evolves. Then I can go back and make the beginning better, so it can set up the story the best way possible.
Maybe after one…or 75684948595 rewrites. Who knows?
I’m not going to fight it. I’m not going to sweat it. That’s how it is.
Beginnings will always be evil.