Writing: Where to Start When You Don’t Know Where to Begin

How to Start Writing

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve stared at a blinking cursor, wondering where to begin. Whether I’m starting a novel, a blog post, or even just a professional email, the hardest part is so often the beginning—and I know I’m not alone! “Writing: where to start?” is one of the most frequently Googled questions by aspiring authors…and for good reason.

Finding your way into writing—whether it’s the first project or the fiftieth—can feel strangely difficult. Sometimes the hardest part isn’t the writing itself, but the getting started. What helps most is having a few steady tools, a bit of structure, and a mindset that keeps the pressure low while the momentum builds. With the right approach, that overwhelming blank page can start to look a lot more inviting!

Why Is It So Hard to Start Writing?

We romanticize writing as a magical act—lightning bolts of inspiration, cups of tea on rainy days, the clatter of typewriter keys… But in reality, writing is hard. Especially at the beginning.

There are a few common reasons we stall at the start:

Perfectionism

We want the first sentence to be brilliant. Iconic. Unforgettable. And that pressure can be paralyzing! If we can’t write something great right away, we convince ourselves it’s not worth trying at all.

But the first line isn’t meant to carry the whole story—it’s just meant to get you moving. Most good writing begins as bad writing. That’s not a failure; that’s the process. Anne Lamott famously calls them “sh**ty first drafts,” and for good reason: it’s only after you write something imperfect that you can shape it into something stronger. Let it be messy.

Overwhelm

Big projects can feel impossibly large. The thought of writing a book, or even a long-form article, is enough to make anyone freeze. How do you organize it all? Where do you start?

When the big picture is too big, focus on a smaller piece: One moment. One thought. One scene. Writing builds on itself—but not all at once. Allow yourself to zoom in, even if you’re not sure yet how it fits into the whole!

Lack of Clarity

Sometimes we feel the urge to write but have no idea what we want to say. It’s a vague tug; creative energy without direction. That ambiguity can be stifling.

Rather than trying to force clarity, give yourself permission to explore. Ask yourself what you’re drawn to, what you’re wrestling with, or what questions keep surfacing. Journaling, word maps, or even writing letters to yourself can be a way into the work. You don’t have to know where it’s going—you just have to start somewhere honest.

The good news? You don’t have to start with brilliance. You just have to start!

“You can’t edit a blank page.” – Nora Roberts

What Type of Writing Should I Start With?

This is often the first practical question writers face. Do you want to write fiction or nonfiction? Long form or short? Are you writing for fun, for work, or with publishing in mind?

Ask yourself:

What do I read most often?

What kind of stories or subjects light me up?

Do I want to write to express myself, inform others, or build a career?

Here’s a quick breakdown of common writing paths:

How Do I Build a Writing Habit?

Starting is one thing; sticking with it is where most writers struggle. Here’s what’s works for me (and countless others):

Set Small Goals

Instead of saying “I’m going to write a book,” say “I’m going to write 200 words a day.” That’s one paragraph. You can do that while waiting for your coffee to brew!

Pick a Time and Place

Routine builds habit. Find your best creative time—early morning, lunch break, after dinner—and claim it as your writing window. You should also consider your writing environment and what sparks creativity, and assemble your writing tools.

Use a Timer

Try the Pomodoro Technique: write for twenty-five minutes, then take a five-minute break. It’s amazing what you can accomplish in short, focused sprints!

Track Your Progress

Apps like 4thewords, 750 Words, or even a simple spreadsheet can help keep you motivated. Watching your word count grow is deeply satisfying.

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” – Louis L’Amour

What Should I Write About?

If you’re just starting out, the best thing to write about is what you can’t stop thinking about. That might be a moment from your childhood, a social issue, a fantasy world in your head, or even just a thought-provoking conversation you had last week.

Here are a few prompt categories to help spark ideas:

Memory-based: “Write about a time you made a difficult decision.”

World-building: “Describe a city where everyone can read minds.”

Opinionated: “What’s a belief you’ve changed your mind about recently?”

How-to: “Explain how to do something you’re good at in 500 words or less.”

How to Start Writing?

Start in the middle!

One of the biggest myths about writing is that it has to begin at the beginning. That first perfect sentence, the brilliant opening hook—it can feel like everything hinges on getting it right. But that pressure can stall your momentum before you’ve even begun.

The truth? You don’t have to start at the beginning!

Instead, start where the energy is. That might be a scene that keeps replaying in your head, a strong feeling, or even just a sentence that won’t leave you alone. If you’re writing fiction, it could be a key moment of conflict. If you’re blogging, it might be the heart of your argument. Memoir? Maybe it’s the turning point. Whatever feels vivid or alive—go there first!

You can build the structure later. Most writers revise their beginnings anyway, often after discovering what the piece is really about through the writing itself. So skip the pressure. Start in the middle. Start anywhere. Just start.

What Tools Do I Need to Start Writing?

The tools don’t make the writer—but they sure help. You don’t need anything fancy to begin, but a few well-chosen tools can make the process smoother.

For drafting:

Google Docs: Free, easy to use, and accessible from anywhere.

Scrivener: Great for longform projects like novels or memoirs.

Notion: A powerful all-in-one planner and writing workspace.

For organizing ideas:

Trello: Helpful for plotting and breaking large projects into steps.

Milanote: Visual thinkers love this one for mood boards and story maps.

For distraction-free writing:

FocusWriter: A minimalist, full-screen editor that blocks out everything but your words.

IA Writer: Clean interface, typewriter mode, and markdown support to keep your focus sharp.

How Do I Know If My Writing Is “Good”?

The short answer? You don’t—yet. Writing is like any other skill: it gets better with practice. And your early drafts should be messy! Don’t critique your work until later.

Here’s how to assess and improve your writing:

Read it aloud: Clunky sentences jump out when spoken.

Get feedback: Find other writers. Join a local writers’ group or share drafts with trusted peers.

Read widely: Good reading leads to good writing! Study what works (and doesn’t) in the books and articles you love. (A 2021 study from The University of Cambridge found that writers who read regularly scored 30% higher in creative output than those who didn’t. So yes, reading counts as writing prep.)

“I write to discover what I know.” – Flannery O’Connor

What If I Want to Get Published?

If your goal is to publish your writing—whether online or in print—here’s how to take the first steps:

1. Start a Blog or Substack

Publishing your own blog is a great way to build an audience, sharpen your skills, and even get noticed by editors. Many successful authors started this way.

2. Submit to Literary Magazines or Websites

Sites like Duotrope, Chill Subs, and Submittable list thousands of open calls for submissions.

3. Build a Portfolio

Editors, agents, and readers want to see what you’ve written before. Start building a collection of your best pieces.

The First Step Is Showing Up

I don’t know what story you’re carrying inside you, but I do know this: if you’ve made it this far, you’re already further along than you think!

The next step? Write one sentence. Then another.

Don’t worry about how it sounds. Don’t worry if it’s “right”—that’s what editing is for. Your only job right now is to start.

Because writing isn’t something you wait to feel inspired to do. Writing is something you do so inspiration can find you.

Erin K. Larson-Burnett, Production Manager at Atmosphere Press (submit your manuscript here!), is a born-and-raised Southerner currently living in Katy, Texas, with her husband and their small domestic zoo. She is an avid ink drinker who lives and breathes books—during the day, she works remotely with authors around the world, honing and perfecting books published through Atmosphere Press. By night, she crafts her own stories…or at least tries to. The Bear & the Rose is her debut novel.