It has been hard to get going on this story. Today, I wavered about going out to dictate or staying in my writing cave to continue the story with fingers on keyboard. In the end, I chose the latter, but even that was slow.
I think perhaps I am putting too much pressure on myself, particularly with this opening scene. I want this novel to be exciting and engaging. I want it to be something I can be proud of, but I think maybe I’m trying to do too much with the first draft. I’m worrying too much about the details and about getting the scene perfect. Instead, I should just be worrying about getting the story out there.
In my last attempt at a novel, the editing process was a nightmare – and ultimately I couldn’t figure out how to get it into shape. But that was more of a problem with story than anything else, I think. My scenes didn’t have a place in the overall arc. I am addressing that problem at the planning stages in this book, scene-by-scene, so that should not be an issue. And yet, I worry.
I guess it’s just what I’m good at.
Despite all of that, I did finish my first scene today and it does reflect the arc that I wanted for it. So, at least it is something I can use and move on from. Tomorrow, I’ll need to start planning to get the pieces in place for my next scene.