Find a young audience

Here's a tip that worked for me. If you have your story in mind but can't seem to get started. If that first paragraph and chapter just elude your best efforts and you just aren't making any headway, try this. Find a 10 year old (or thereabouts) and ask him if you can tell him a story. Maybe 2 or 3 youngsters would even be better. When your youthful audience is sitting in front of you, mouth hanging open, waiting for your story, i'll give you odds that your story will come tumbling out. It's much easier to tell a story to a child than to an adult or as a first paragraph. When you've done it, rush off and write it down before you forget it.


Richard Wren