First Chapters

Why are first chapters always the hardest to write? The second hardest is the last chapter. You've got to start with a bang and leave them begging for more. Mira keeps looking up at me with these sad, puppy-dog eyes, begging for me to give her a break, but I just can't. There's things we need to finally get settled and Book 5 is going to be where we get some of those things done.

I am nearly done with the first chapter and I have to say that I feel bad for Mira. I kind of drop a bomb in her lap and there's not much she can do to avoid it. And coping with it isn't working very well either. I find myself staring at the page frequently, struggling to put myself in her shoes, and yet I continuously find myself thinking, "God, what have I done!" It will be interesting to see if my editor lets me get away with it. There could be some problems if she doesn't.

At this point, I just keep telling myself that I need to get through the first chapter and the rest of the book will be a little easier. Sure, there will be other rough chapters, but the bombshells will be balanced a little better through the rest of the book.

Aside from the emotional turmoil that Mira and I are struggling with, I am happy to finally be making some progress (albeit slow) on Book 5. It's been too long since I did some serious writing.