I find I always have trouble with the first chapter/prologue of a new WIP. I've realized, for me, it's about fear -- all my insecurities about not living up to expectations, no one liking what I've written, not being good enough, they just sit on my shoulders like ravens, weighing me down so I can't write. But I've also learned a few tricks for defeating them.
Give yourself permission to write a crappy opening. I spent 3 weeks on the 900-word prologue for my first published book (I had a 4-month deadline, so could really not afford to putter, but couldn't seem to get past it), only to finally scrap it and write another when I was 50K into the story. If I tell myself I'm probably not going to keep it anyway, that it's just a place-holder, then the fear ebbs enough that I can start writing again.
As a PP said, don't start there. Go on to the next chapter. This tricks the ravens, because Chapter Two isn't the beginning anymore, so they've missed their chance to scare me away from starting the book.
Of course, later parts of the book have their own monsters, and you have to learn different tricks to defeat those, but these two help me get over those "starting a new WIP" blues.
GL!
-- Marcy
