How To Start Writing Your Story When You Don't Know Where To Begin

"You don't have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step." — Martin Luther King Jr.

You know you have a story to tell.

You may have carried it with you for years. You've thought about writing it. You may have even told pieces of it to friends or family.

But then you sit down in front of a blank page…and nothing comes.

In this episode of The Edit, I'm answering a question from listener Jackson, who asked how to begin writing his story when, no matter how hard he tries, he simply can't seem to get anything onto the page.

And Jackson is definitely not alone.

Beginning can feel overwhelming because we often sit down to write one story while expecting ourselves to figure out the entire book at the same time.

Where should it begin?

What should I include?

What does it all mean?

Will I remember everything correctly?

What will other people think?

And how do I make any of this sound like an actual book?

That's a lot to ask of yourself before you've written a single sentence.

So today, we're making the process much smaller.

Because you don't need to see the entire staircase.

You just need to take the first step.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Why struggling to begin does not mean you don't have a story worth telling
• Why the beginning of your book doesn't have to be the beginning of your writing process
• How to choose one vivid moment instead of trying to write your entire life story
• Why telling your story out loud may help you find the words you can't seem to write
• How writing to one person can help your natural voice come through
• Why a simple list of memories can become the bones of your story
• Questions you can use to open up memories when "write your story" feels too overwhelming
• Why you need permission to write a messy, imperfect first version
• The importance of separating writing from editing
• How short, focused writing sessions can make a big project feel manageable
• Why you don't have to understand what your story means before you begin writing it
• What to do when fear—not lack of ideas—is keeping you from the page
• Why writing your story and publishing your story are two separate decisions
• How to handle memories when you aren't certain about every detail

A Simple Exercise to Help You Begin

After listening to this episode, open a notebook, blank document, or the notes app on your phone and write:

"The moment I keep coming back to is…"

Finish that sentence.

Then set a timer for ten minutes and stay inside that one memory.

Where were you?

Who was there?

What could you see or hear?

What was said?

What did you know then?

What do you understand now?

Don't try to explain your whole life. Don't worry about whether this belongs in Chapter One. And definitely don't stop to edit it.

Just write the moment.

When your ten minutes are over, find one sentence or phrase that feels alive to you. That may be the thread that leads you into your next writing session.

10 Sentence Starters for the Blank Page

If you still aren't sure how to begin, try one of these:

1. I've told this story many times, but I've never written it down.
2. The part I remember most clearly is…
3. Everything changed the day…
4. At the time, I did not understand…
5. I knew something was wrong when…
6. For years, I believed…
7. There's one conversation I've never forgotten.
8. I wish I could go back and tell myself…
9. People often assume…but the truth is…
10. This is not the whole story, but it's where I need to begin.

Choose one.

Finish the sentence.

Then write the next one.

That's how stories begin—not with the entire path mapped out or with complete confidence, but with one honest sentence followed by another.

And to Jackson, thank you for asking the question. Your question is one I know many writers need answered.

You don't have to know the whole book.

You don't have to write it in order.

You don't have to sound polished.

You just have to give yourself permission to begin.

One memory. One scene. One sentence at a time.

You can reach Holly at:

writelynotable@gmail.com

or

https://www.writelynotable.com

If this episode helped you, please consider rating, reviewing, or sharing the podcast with someone who has a story they've been trying to tell.

And if you have a writing, editing, or storytelling question you'd like me to answer on a future episode, reach out. Your question might be exactly what another writer needs to hear.

Remember: Your story without your voice is only words.