Getting the beginning of a story right is hard. Oh, it’s not hard to start a story; it’s just hard to get it right when all the dust settles.
When you finally get that idea that’s been percolating for weeks or months all ready to go you have no trouble putting words to page. The first draft, especially the beginning, seems to flow. Partly it’s because it was the kernel of an idea that got you started in the first place and so you know how it starts. You might even know how it ends. The middle part seems like the hard part initially because you need to stitch it all together and keep the story moving forward with meaningful drama to fill in the holes. But you muddle your way through the middle and then hit the final stretch, which, by the way, seems to go on and on. You think you’re almost at the finish line but it’s like someone keeps moving it away from you. Finally you cross the finish line, and it’s a victory, although it’s short-lived and less spectacular than you thought it would feel. You know you still have a mountain of work ahead.
