[ OT ] How do I start ?

In the words of the late, great Lewis Carroll, `` Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.'' 
 
 Writing becomes far less intimidating once you realize the big secret: The key to becoming a good writer is by getting all of the crappy writing out of your system. Do n't think, write. Do n't worry about the possibility that what you're writing sucks. That's good. If it sucks, that means you're getting the crappy writing out of your system so that you can make room for the good writing that will follow. Not everyone will become a good writer, but *nobody* becomes a good writer without first doing some crappy writing. 
 
 ~~In closing, ~~ I'll direct you to the 48th installment of the Dear Sugar advice column, titled [ *Write Like A Motherfucker* ] ( http: //therumpus.net/2010/08/dear-sugar-the-rumpus-advice-column-48-write-like-a-motherfucker/ ). The question specifically deals with writing as a female ( which may or may not apply to you ) but the answer is universal, as evidenced by this particular quote: 
 
 > Writing is hard for every last one of us—straight white men included. Coal mining is harder. Do you think miners stand around all day talking about how hard it is to mine for coal? They do not. They simply dig. 
 
 So, as for where to start... you start with words. It does n't matter if those words are `` Once upon a time...'', `` It was a dark and stormy night...'', or `` It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...''. All it matters is that the words are moved from your brain onto the page/screen. 
 
 You start writing by writing. Nothing else matters.
