Which Way Do I Go?

The above sign is simple compared to the advice you get from writing experts. Much of the advice contradicts other advice.

Five years ago, after some modest success with my first effort, I set out to write another book.
My initial work was a fictional humorous memoir. I was advised to branch out and write a novel. It would expose me to a broader audience.

How hard could it be?

After all, I've read novels. I'd just write a book like that.

Oops. I found that a fledgling novelist could spend the rest of their lives reading and listening to advice, and never writing anything. That's a problem, because the hardest thing for me about writing is sitting down every day and typing the first few words.

I swim for exercise, and compare writing the first few words to jumping in the pool. When it's 10 degrees in January you feel stupid dragging your butt to the local YMCA to go swimming. To get things started I always go to the deep end and dive in-I call it diving, others cruelly make fun of my form. I consider it a successful dive if I don't hurt myself. Nevertheless the hard part is over, now I do the easy work, swimming 1,600 yards.

I wish I knew five years ago what I know now. Next week I'll go over some of that.