A lot of people tell me they have an idea for a story, but don’t quite know how to get started. Before you begin to write your novel, your non fiction or your memoir, it is helpful to consider some of the following ideas. You may even find them helpful.

You don’t have to start at the beginning. Start where ever the writing comes easiest, perhaps the most life changing event.

Exercise. Exercise. Exercise.  Stimulate the body and the brain, get the blood moving, and this will help the creative process.
Keep an ideas notebook, folder or electronic organizer to help you sort out your ideas.

Collate old material (clippings, photos, letters, certificates, etc) into carefully labelled folders.

Read other people’s life-stories, they will help you organize yours. As you read, you will find yourself enjoying some, disliking others and learning, learning, learning.

Start writing about yourself. Pretend you are sending an email/letter to a new friend. Describe yourself.

Write whatever comes into your head. You can always discard it later. Free associate. Write anything. Just get the feel of what it is like to write.

Keep an open mind as to other people’s perceptions of you. Don’t get offended if you don’t agree.

Don’t get distracted by the task by telling yourself that there are other more important things you should be doing.

More ideas for overcoming putting things off coming next week!