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It all begins with an idea. It needs to be an idea that excites you. When I write, especially fiction, I need to see a character and others that interact with that character to help him/her achieve a specific “want” or goal. There’s something she wants more than anything else in the world. Don’t just stare at a blank page. Put it down. Let the ideas flow, you can edit it later because the truth is great screenplays, plays, poems and novels aren’t written—they’re rewritten. Also, outline if you can so you have a good idea where your story is going. But you may surprise youself with a different ending than you had in mind at first. Your characters may surprise you with where they want the story to go. Listen to them. They will not only tell you how they want to say certain things, and how they will act in certain situations; sometimes they will take over, and when that happens just enjoy watching your fingers fly across the keyboard creating something you never imagined. Try to keep up…it’s called creativity, and when you experience it, you’ll be “in the zone” as a writer.

Don’t worry about how it sounds now. If you’ve written before, you’ve already found your voice. Your story is unique. No one else can write it. If you don’t hear your own voice as you read out loud what you’ve written, you may need to see if what you’ve written really works. To determine that, you may need another set of eyes on it.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink what you’re doing. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve. Your goal is to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

As for nonfiction writing, which I’ve done much more of (eight books to be exact), my goal is to grab you with the first line as if I’m giving a speech or lecture, and keep you with me to the very end. I also think of it as having a conversation over a cup of coffee with one other person, except I’m the one doing all the talking!