How do you start a story? Well, how do you start a car? You get in the right vehicle, insert the right key, and turn on the ignition. Starting a story is really the same thing.
When you begin a story, make sure you have the right vehicle for it. Are you thinking of writing a children’s book when the subject matter would go better for adults? Have you a picture book in mind but a chapter book would be a better fit? What is the right audience? Keep it in mind as you write your story.
Now the most important part—the key. And just which is the right key? You can fumble all the keys on your key ring and try first one and then another, but only one is going to fit. If you try to hotwire the vehicle’s engine you might get stuck down the road when you want to start it again. So what is that one right key for your story vehicle? Prayer! It’s the right fit for every story you want to write. Without prayer our writing is without purpose and can be like slogging through a field of mud. With God behind our writing the ideas come thick and fast, and when we reach the tough parts we can be confident we are in His will and the work becomes lighter.
So polish up that key, climb in the vehicle God has chosen for you, and start up your engine.
Chugging or zooming, your story is on its way. Enjoy the ride!
-Contributed by Shirley Shibley
