Jumping into the unknown fathoms of starting a new novel this week has left me beginning to panic!The image above exactly represents how I feel when starting a new novel. I write down the concept in a special notebook for each new concept for a new novel. Except this time, I don’t have a title, per se. So, when beginning a new novel, I often make up things I need to do first. For instance, like reading the news, old magazines, walking, shopping, and trying not to panic by doing yoga or crocheting. Yes, I do crocheting and I almost have a blanket now. After a while, I run out of excuses, take a few deep breaths and jump into a fathomless pit of indecision. Suddenly, the squeaky mouse, turns into a brave tiger and an hour later – viola – I have 10 pages written, that need lots of editing and maybe tossed in the wastepaper basket before the day is over, but it is a beginning!
So, other writers, what is your experience when facing a brand new blank page?
Pen & Paper 
When I’m faced with a blank page, I almost view it as a challenge, it’s saying something like, “Come on, don’t leave any blank spaces!” And that makes me want to slay it, in true hero fashion. I can relate completely to what your post describes, it’s a rush to jump into the unknown, scary and then exciting as things progress and creativity thrives.
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Wow. Katya, We do think a like, except you are braver than me and I thank you. I will think of you when I sit down tomorrow and face another blank page and I will say, “What wold Katya do and I would remember! By the way, your avatar is perfect! 🙂
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What a compliment! I am happy you’ll give slaying a try. Remember to keep your best weapon close (well sharpened pencil), and be sure your rations (coffee cup) are full. And thank you for the avatar compliment, I made it hoping it’d reflect my craziness, and it seems to be successful, haha!
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I will Katya keep my pencils sharp, and I will slay away and banish the blank page monster!! Karen 🙂
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Hi,
When facing a blank page I try to switch the medium, if I am struggling with the Word file, I will switch to a notepad to write down my ideas and concepts.
I try t allocate time to writing during my day, this means I have a time limit on writing which means my mind switches into a mode where writing is much easier.
Other times I would use sticky notes and write down all my ideas on them, but instead of at the table I would do it on the floor or in the kitchen. Just try to throw myself out of the comfort zone for a little while can help.
Last but by no means least I try to limit distractions, internet would be off and I would put some mellow/rocky music depending on my mood to drown out all else.
From
Ru
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Ru, thank you so much for commenting and I love all of your “tricks of the trade” for overcoming the “blank page terror” and I will definitely try all of them! I really like the sticky notes idea since I have many distractions! Great idea. Thank you again, Ru! It’s nice to know we are all in this together! Karen 🙂
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The sticky notes idea is really good if you have to many ideas, that way you can put them all into a box and pull out a few ideas. You can stop once you feel you have enough to form a storyline 😀
Best of luck with your writing.
From
Ru
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HI Ru, Thank you so much and greatly appreciated! 🙂
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The blank page scares me and can only be faced once there is no other choice left. So I will even clean the oven (ugh!) before sitting down to write. And I REALLY hate cleaning the oven.
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Purpleanais, I am often as scared as you relate and I really relate to your comment and it made be laugh. It is so wonderful to know we are all in this together. Thank you so much for commenting. I will keep these comments, type them up and put them on the wall in my office! Karen 🙂
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Lol having them on the wall might indeed help 😉
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I will slay the blank page – hero style – by golly! You are also a very creative artist! Also, I do have a dozen pencils ready to and my favorite coffee cup that states, “Everyday is a New Adventure”! Karen 🙂
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Thank you for a wonderful post! When I face that blank page, I usually become excited, like a little kid who has just received a new toy! But then, again, in many ways, I have maintained my inner child, and I think it informs my writing. Does that make any sense?
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Thank you Charles, for your plethora of so many wonderful uplifting posts and I have learned so much from them and you, professor French! 🙂
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By the time I get to the blank page I have been thinking for quite a while about what will go there. It doesn’t stay blank for very long. I throw everything on the page that I have been thinking about.
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Hi John, that is a very good thing to do. I do that sometimes. Often, I wonder if what I have to say is important enough to write on that blank page. It is far easier for me to write a novel, a short story or a poem. Usually, I choose something fantasy, supernatural or paranormal. What do you usually write about that you have been thing of? Thank you for comment. Karen 🙂
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