Where do I start?

Question

Let’s say I’ve created an outline, have explored my characters properly, and have properly broken down each scene to an appropriate level of detail. I know the story, I know the pacing, and I know where I’m gonna got add conflict and emotion.I’m ready to put pen to page.Where should I start writing?Should I start with the opening scene to explore the story as I go along? Should I start with the end so I know exactly where I’m trying to get to? Or should I start somewhere in the middle so I can explore a little further before plunging into the big chapters?

Answer 1

There really is no "right" answer to this question; successful professional writers take all sorts of approaches to this issue. Much, much more important than starting in the right place is simply getting words down on paper. After all, your first draft is not supposed to be high-quality writing; that is what the editing and revising process is for. (See Anne Lamott's "Shitty First Drafts" for a good discussion of this.) Just write!