Post History

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/36540
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/36540
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Whatever feels right. You could also write the start of each chapter and slowly fill each one out. This way you start with the rough outline, then move to a roadmap with small steps, and then you just try to fill in the gaps. This allows you to have a better overview of the goal you are trying to accomplish while not taking up too much time. Many people are getting stuck on trying to make a "perfect start" for example and then never finish anything. Or they finish their work and realize that their "perfect start" doesn't really fit the finale anymore. Or they realize something important needs to be said in the beginning.

Your first draft won't be perfect, which is why it doesn't really matter where or how you start. Just write what comes to mind and feels natural to you with a rough idea of where and when to use it later. In the end you will see how you can connect the dots and where you need to polish your work.

The above with a "start at the beginning" approach:

1. make a rough outline
2. start with the beginning of the first chapter
3. start with the beginning of the second chapter
4. continue until you have the beginning for everything from start to finish
5. start over and rewrite the beginning of the first chapter
6. expand the first chapter a bit
7. repeat steps 4 to 6 until satisfied

There are different kinds of people and everyone works a little different. What might work for me might not work for you.

Original score: 5