Writer's Block by Cynicism

[NickCaligo42]

Hey folks. Been working on this sci-fi story as a personal project for some time, but I've hit a bit of a snag with it lately. I'm trying to write a basic outline of it at the moment. The middle of the story and the ending especially feel very clear to me, but I've been having an awful time trying to write the beginning.

Part of it is that I'm having a hard time trying to figure out a reasonable way to connect the protagonist's day-to-day life with the conflict that makes up the bulk of the story (or, in fact, make his day to day life interesting enough to write about), but it also seems like every time I start working on it or suggesting solutions to myself I get snagged picking apart predictable cliches and condemn my work to the trash can. Anybody know a good way to put my cynicism aside? I feel like if I can just grab onto one thing that's unique about this story's beginning I can do some good, but I'm never going to get there if I keep neurotically picking apart my own work.

 

[Batou667]

Don't be afraid to make your first draft a little rough. You'll come back and edit it many, many times between now and finishing the story!

Have you written the middle and end yet? If that's what is sparking your imagination at the moment, do them first. A lot of novelists write in "chunks", and not necessarily in order.

Also, remember that not every story needs a long introductory preamble along the lines of "John was an ordinary boy who lived in an ordinary house. One day he was walking down the road when...". It's perfectly acceptable to start the story at a point of excitement or action, and then fill in the backstory either through flashbacks and dialogue, or just leave the minor details in the imaginations of your readers.

And lastly, never forget: Perfect is the enemy of good. If striving for perfection is paralysing you, go for good instead and improve it later.

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

Part of it is that I'm having a hard time trying to figure out a reasonable way to connect the protagonist's day-to-day life with the conflict that makes up the bulk of the story...

Why is the protagonist part of the "conflict" at all? What is their motivation to be part of it? Or are these the questions you are having difficulty answering in the first place?

If you know the answers to those questions then you want to focus on aspects of the protagonist's "day-to-day" life, or past, which outline their desire to be take part in the conflict. If the character is pulled into the conflict against their will then they will still have emotions and motivations and opinions on what is going on. Highlighting situations that speak to those aspects of the character and personality of the protagonist which we will see later in the narrative would be best.

If you are just having a hard time tying your protagonist to the conflict at all then maybe the character needs a reboot rather than the story.

 

[])rStrangelove]

I like stories that just kick in and throw you into a situation without prior warning.

Elevator gets stuck, a car accident with a chemical transport, your GF calling you "we need to talk"... things like that.

Technology fails all the time around us, its always great to use for a hairy situation.