Can't Get Past the Opening Scene

Pearl · Oct 31, 2012

I'm working on the sequel to my book, and I can't seem to figure out the opening scene. I may be putting too much pressure on myself to have my follow-up better off than my first novel.

I've thought about writing out the opening scene and move on to the rest of the book, but I keep going back to the first few pages and tearing my hair out over whether it makes sense, if its realistic, etc. I can't seem to leave it as it is and worry about it later.

Any advice?

mccardey · Oct 31, 2012

Put a pin in it, and move on. Really - you'll likely find that it changes anyway.

Bufty · Oct 31, 2012

Next time you write it, give it a shot - keep going - and see what happens.

You can always go back and rewrite it later if you wish but actually pushing on is the only way you'll get any impetus at all. :Hug2:

Sage · Oct 31, 2012

Skip it. Write "Perfect opening scene," highlight it, and write the next scene. It's okay if you have to change that scene later to go with your new opening. Or if it becomes your opening.

IAMWRITER · Oct 31, 2012

Honestly just leave it for now.

I had the same situation over my opening scene and so just skipped it and came back to it. After skipping it though, I really got into the story.

Hope this helps

Pearl · Oct 31, 2012

Thanks everyone.

Its just frustrating not getting that important of the book right or even figured out. Well, I'll just keep on writing and wait until something comes to me.

snowbones · Jan 12, 2013

Yeah I'd not dwell on that part too much right now unless you need to hash it out to set up following scenes.

Elenma · Jan 22, 2013

I always find the opening scene the hardest, but I've also found that the opening scene (not matter how much time I spent on it) changes the most when I revise. I think it's probably impossible to write a perfect opening scene before you've written the rest of the book and knows how it ends. It's the same in scientific/scholarly writing where you are supposed to write the introduction last, once you know what is actually in the paper.

I've also found that, personally, I can't skip writing the opening scene, though. I have to sort of write my way into the book. The opening scene is where I test the water and get a feel for the character's voice and all that.

Can't Get Past the Opening Scene

Pearl

mccardey

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

IAMWRITER

QWERTY!!!

Pearl

snowbones

Elenma