As the Zig Zigler line goes, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

Still, one of the very hardest things about the writing practice is getting started. This writing prompt comes from Julia Cameron, in her book, The Sound of Paper. It asks you to let go of any pressure you may feel about what you think you should be writing, and instead write from exactly, literally, where you are. It’s a practical and effective way to get the pen moving, even when you don’t know where to begin.

Write Your Heart Out:

“Think of what you are about to do as a field report to yourself. Take pen in hand and describe precisely where you are and how you feel about it. Nothing too petty to be included. Allow yourself to grip on the page. You are sending out an SOS and giving your exact coordinates. Every detail you include helps the rescue squad to know what’s needed. Be precise. Where are you at?”

Set aside three blank pages for this practice. Don’t set the pen down until the pages are full. No editing and no stopping to (over)think. Just keep the pen moving until you reach your destination. Then, and only then, you can set your pen down and look around.

See where you ended up.