The Hardest Part

by Ann - answering my own question

For me, the hardest part of writing a manuscript is the beginning. I rewrite my first chapter a dozen times, then throw it away and start someplace else. I rewrite that a dozen times, and start again. I know a novel is supposed to start as close to beginning of action as possible. Easier said than done. Richard Peck says, “The first chapter is the last chapter in disguise.” I try.

For my work-in-progress, though, the beginning practically wrote itself. The middle sailed along, until I started removing a character and his subplot. (Now I feel like I’m trying to wrestle a Bengal tiger back into its cage.) The ending I initially planned was unsatisfactory because it cheated my protagonist. She deserved better. Then as I was playing with alternate endings, a wonderful line from Walt Kelly popped into my head, “We have met the enemy, and he is us.” I knew what to do.