Mary Brotherton

Many new writers feel there is no hope for them and they’ll provide a multitude of excuses why they can’t or shouldn’t complete their first novel, short story, memoir or article. Stop making excuses and start writing.

Everyone has a story to tell and although not everyone can tell a story like O. Henry or John Grisham and few writers will experience the phenomenal success J.K. Rowlings, Dean Koontz or Steven King have, this isn’t an excuse to stop trying.

Your story might be the one millions have been waiting to read or it might be something only your closest associates will understand. Perhaps you will be the next big thing and your name and books will become household words, uttered and understood by all ages. On the other hand, if your story does no more than provide entertainment for your friends on Facebook and Myspace or LiveJournal, why deprive them?

As Tolstoy’s War and Peace started with just one word, then one sentence and then one paragraph, your story needs only for you to sit down at your keyboard or with a pen and paper and start. One word starts every story.

What will your word be?