The Struggle of the Blank Page

I know I'm not the only one who feels like January goes on FOREVER. And I think that's because it's always hard to start something new. The same goes for a blank page in writing or art. There is limitless potential, and that can feel paralyzing.

I've spent the past year really digging into a manuscript, doing large-scale revisions and page by page copy editing. Those things can also be daunting, but once I got into a routine, I found it easier than writing. Making revisions and edits, I didn't have to come up with anything new. I was just working with concepts and paragraphs that already existed.

But now, as I attempt to get back into writing, I sometimes will find myself just staring at a blank page. And I think some people are so intimidated by that blank page, they convince themselves that starting the project isn't even worth it. I have started writing so many stories that I never finished, I couldn't even guess what the number is. But sometimes, I have to remind myself that the only sure way to fail at something is by not trying at all. By not starting. Something I have to remind myself is that no one learns and gets better at something through success (although, it is nice when success is the end result).

So yeah, the blank page is intimidating, and you might not like what you eventually create, but you'll never know if you keep staring at it.