Facing the Blank Page: Tips on How to Get Started

The blank page. It’s intimidating, isn’t it? Whether you're a seasoned novelist or a fresh-faced poet with a new notebook, every writer eventually stares down the empty space where words should live. It doesn’t matter how many stories you’ve written or how inspired you feel, getting started can still feel like trying to fly over a canyon without a plane.

But here’s the secret: you don’t have to conquer the whole canyon at once. Just take the first step.

Why the Blank Page Feels So Daunting

Writers often put too much pressure on that first sentence. We believe it must be perfect. That pressure turns into fear, and fear freezes the most passionate writer. Some call it writer’s block. But it’s really self-doubt dressed up in a creative disguise.

Toni Morrison once said, “If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” That first blank page is the beginning of that book. But how do you start?

1. Give Yourself Permission to Write Badly

This might sound counterintuitive, but your first draft is allowed to be messy. In fact, it should be. Think of it like throwing clay on a wheel. Nothing is art until you shape it. Anne Lamott calls this the “sh*tty first draft,” and it’s a vital part of the process. The goal is progress, not perfection.

Don’t know where to begin? Start by journaling your thoughts or writing about why you’re struggling to write. Momentum is your friend, and even a wobbly first step breaks the silence.

You Just Need a Nudge!

2. Use Prompts to Spark Ideas

Sometimes all you need is a nudge. Writing prompts give your imagination a runway. Think of them as training wheels that get you moving. For example:

• Write about a character who finds a love letter in her grandmother’s Bible.

• Describe your childhood bedroom and the emotions it still holds.

• Begin a story with the sentence: “She hadn’t planned to say yes.”

These little seeds can bloom into stories you never saw coming. Websites like Writers Digest Prompts or Reedsy offer new prompts every week.

3. Set a Timer and Just Go

The Pomodoro Technique isn’t just for productivity junkies. Set a timer for 15 minutes and commit to writing without stopping. No editing, no backspacing, just forward motion. When you know the clock is ticking, it’s easier to push past the self-censor and let the words flow.

4. Create a Ritual That Signals “It’s Time to Write”

Writers thrive on routine. Whether it’s lighting a candle, brewing a certain tea, or playing instrumental music, these small rituals can trick your brain into switching into creative mode. Author Haruki Murakami is famous for his rigid daily routine, which includes rising at 4 a.m. and writing for five to six hours straight. Your ritual doesn’t have to be extreme, it just needs to be consistent.

5. Join a Writers Organization or Community

Sometimes what you need most is someone cheering you on. That’s where an organization like the Mississippi Writers Guild can be a game-changer. Being part of a community means support, accountability, and inspiration. You’re not the only one staring at that blank page and you don’t have to face it alone.

Joining a writers group helps you:

• Share your work in a supportive environment

• Receive and give constructive feedback

• Stay motivated with regular meetings and workshops

Explore resources like Mississippi Writers Guild or national platforms like NaNoWriMo to find your tribe.

Writing Prompt:

Write a scene where a character hesitates before starting something important—a journey, a conversation, a letter—and describe the emotions swirling within that pause. What finally pushes them forward?

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