Tag: StartWriting

First Edge—Starting Your Writing Journey in the New Year

FIRST EDGE - WEDNESDAYS
Welcome to First Edge, my Wednesday focus on beginning novelists. Here you'll find practical guidance, encouragement, and permission to start your writing journey. Whether you're thinking about writing or ready to begin, First Edge offers the support you need to take your first steps.

Merry Christmas!

So you want to write a novel in 2025. That dream has been waiting, hasn’t it? Waiting while you read craft books, watched writing videos, followed author blogs. Waiting while you thought about characters, imagined scenes, planned someday. Today, let’s turn someday into Day One.

Your Permission Slip

Dear Writer,

You have permission to:

  • Write badly
  • Start in the middle
  • Not know the ending
  • Change your mind
  • Make mistakes
  • Begin again
  • Call yourself a writer

Signed,
A Fellow Beginner

Your First Steps

  1. Choose Your Starting Point
  • A character who won’t leave you alone
  • A scene you can’t stop thinking about
  • A question you need to explore
  • A story that demands telling
  1. Create Your Space
  • A corner desk
  • A favorite chair
  • A morning coffee shop
  • A quiet library nook
  1. Set Your Schedule
  • Early morning words
  • Lunch break paragraphs
  • Evening chapters
  • Weekend writing

Simple Truths for Beginners

  • All first drafts are messy
  • Every published author started exactly where you are
  • Your voice matters because it’s yours
  • There’s no single “right” way to write
  • You learn by doing

Your Writing Foundation

Start with:

  • One dedicated writing hour
  • One notebook or document
  • One story idea
  • One commitment to yourself

Build from there.

Practical First Week Plan

Day 1: Write character notes
Day 2: Sketch a scene
Day 3: Explore setting
Day 4: Draft dialogue
Day 5: Connect ideas
Day 6: Review and plan
Day 7: Begin your story

When Doubt Creeps In

Remember:

  • Every writer starts as a beginner
  • Perfect is the enemy of written
  • Progress beats perfection
  • Small steps create novels
  • Today is always the right day to start

Moving Forward

Your novel begins with one word, then another. It grows sentence by sentence, scene by scene. The only magic is in starting, in putting words on the page, in giving yourself permission to begin.

2025 is your year to write. Not because you’re ready—no one ever feels completely ready. But because your story matters, and it’s time to tell it.

What will you write first?

Use the Contact form to schedule a phone call or a Zoom meeting to discuss any aspect of your first novel. The first thirty-minute appointment is FREE.

First Edge—Making Time to Write: Starting Your Novel in Real Life

FIRST EDGE - WEDNESDAYS
Welcome to First Edge, my Wednesday focus on beginning novelists. Here you'll find practical guidance, encouragement, and permission to start your writing journey. Whether you're thinking about writing or ready to begin, First Edge offers the support you need to take your first steps.

Making Time to Write: Starting Your Novel in Real Life

“I don’t have time to write.” I hear this often from beginning novelists, and I understand. At 60, with a full-time law practice, I said the same thing. Then I wrote my first novel. Here’s how you can too.

## Real-Life Writing Scenarios

### The Early Riser

Sarah, working mother of two:

5:30 AM: Coffee brewing (set up night before)

5:35 AM: Writing corner, laptop open

5:40-6:00 AM: One scene, no editing

Result: 20 minutes = 300 words = novel in one year

“`

### The Lunch Break Writer

James, office worker:

12:00 PM: Eat at desk while reading yesterday’s work

12:15 PM: Write new scene

12:45 PM: Save and close

Result: 30 minutes = first draft of scene

“`

### The Night Owl

Maria, retail manager:

9:30 PM: Kids in bed

9:35 PM: Writing space ready

9:40-10:00 PM: Focus on story

Result: 20 minutes of uninterrupted creation

“`

## Making Minutes Count

### Small Sessions Add Up

Monday: 15 minutes = one paragraph

Tuesday: 15 minutes = scene continuation

Wednesday: 15 minutes = scene completion

Thursday: 15 minutes = new scene begins

Friday: 15 minutes = scene development

Result: One complete scene per week

“`

### Weekend Bonus Time

Saturday morning:

7:00-7:45 AM: Extended writing time

– Review week’s work

– Expand scenes

– Plan next week

Result: Momentum maintained

“`

## Creative Time-Finding

### Hidden Moments

– Doctor’s waiting room: Character sketch

– Kid’s practice: Scene outline

– Morning commute: Plot brainstorming (voice notes)

– Walking dog: Mental scene planning

### Time-Stack Method

6:00-6:15 AM: Story outline

Lunch break: Quick scene

8:00-8:15 PM: Scene revision

Result: Three touch points with your story daily

“`

## Start Today

Your First Week Plan:

Day 1: Set up writing space

Day 2: Write opening line

Day 3: Complete first paragraph

Day 4: Continue scene

Day 5: Finish scene

Weekend: Review and plan

“`

Remember: My first novel began with 15 minutes before my law practice opened. Today, twelve novels later, I still believe in the power of small beginnings.

“Time isn’t found, it’s made. Make time for your story.”

– Richard L. Fricks

Ready to find your writing time? Schedule a free consultation to create your personal writing schedule.

Tags: FirstEdge, BeginningWriter, WritingTime, WritingHabits, StartWriting

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First Edge—Starting Your Novel: Three Simple Scenes

Think you can’t write a novel? Let’s start with three manageable scenes. No pressure, no rules – just writing.

Scene One: The Mirror Moment

Write a character looking in a mirror, but they’ve just made a decision that will change their life. It could be small (cutting their hair) or significant (leaving their job).

Example:

“Emma traced the new wrinkles around her eyes, wondering if anyone at work had noticed. The resignation letter in her purse felt heavier than two pages should.”

Scene Two: The Coffee Scene

Two people share coffee. Something needs to be said, but neither wants to say it.

Example:

“David stirred his coffee for the third time, watching the cream swirl. Across the table, Sarah shredded her napkin into neat squares, not looking up.”

Scene Three: The Small Decision

Your character makes a seemingly minor choice that feels enormous to them.

Example:

“The red shoes gleamed in the display window. Lisa checked her watch – already late for the meeting. The sensible black pumps sat in her shopping bag, receipt neatly folded. She hadn’t worn red shoes since…”

Writing Tips:

– Set a timer: 15 minutes per scene

– Don’t edit while writing

– Focus on character feelings

– Trust your instincts

Share your scenes in the comments, or schedule a Story Discovery Session to discuss your writing journey.

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.”

– Stephen King

Remember: Every novelist started with a single scene. Today, it’s your turn.

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Note: If this is your first appointment, you do not have to pay. I offer a FREE—initial consultation.