Begin Your Story

Begin Your Story

There are as many ways to begin your story as there are ways to procrastinate. Beginning to write your book or screenplay is easier than you think. All you have to do is sit down, get out a sheet of paper, and give yourself permission to write poorly.

It is not an intellectual exercise. Contrary to what you might think, there is nothing to figure out. In fact, beginning your story is about discovery; you can’t know it ahead of time.

To outline is to begin your story.

Same goes for writing a character sketch.

Imagine two characters in relationship to each other.

You are much closer than you think.

Learn more about marrying the wildness of your imagination to the rigor of structure in The 90-Day Novel, The 90-Day Memoir, or The 90-Day Screenplay workshops.

Alan Watt with L.A. hills behind

by Alan Watt

About the author

Alan Watt is the author of the international bestseller Diamond Dogs, winner of France’s Prix Printemps, and the founder of LA Writers’ Lab. A teacher for over two decades, Alan believes stories are not owned but discovered — and that every writer has a voice worth sharing. His workshops and 90-Day Novel method have guided thousands of writers to transform raw ideas into finished works, with humor, compassion, and a deep respect for the creative process.

Write 100 words a day and win a Tuscany retreat