We’ve heard them all:
In the beginning,
It was the Best of times, it was the Worst of times,
Four score and seven years ago,
We the People,
A Priest, a Rabbi and a Monkey walk into a…

Even advertising is in on it:
Just Do It

We’re told on a regular loop to “take the first step”, “do something, even if it’s small to start”.  Yada, yada, yada.  Alright already!

All of that is just fine if you have figured out what to say. If you figured out the track of your story. I worked with a women years ago who was widely known for not starting her rambling stories at the beginning. We’d listen for a bit, get the general idea and then make her stop and start at the beginning. We wanted her to be logical, to open up with her Introduction, Introduce all the characters, then Launch. You know: do the set-up BEFORE the punchline drops.

I was particularly frustrated with her tales. I was different. I was logical.

Well…NO, I’m not. I’m just like her! I’ve sat here on numerous occasions, wondering. I know where this story (or rather the many stories planned for this blog) is going. I have a list that is the proverbial mile long. But the first one? The lead? Buried, at best. At worst, lost in space. What should I say first? Where to begin?

So here I am — just doing it.

Where will you begin your story?