Beginnings are hard, dearest readers.
They can be just as challenging to live through as they are to write, which is why beginnings are difficult to navigate in life and in storytelling.
There’s a lot of fear associated with beginnings and it makes sense why. It can be scary to put yourself out there, to do something you’ve never done before, to open a blank page and watch the cursor blink rapidly at you.
However, beginnings aren’t all bad, which is something I had to remind myself of. They’re also exciting. Beginnings present opportunities for a fresh start, a chance to follow your dreams, and introduce readers to a new narrative to get lost in.
I’ve been feeling a mix of both as I transition careers, pursue my lofty goal of becoming a published author, and begin this blog.
I normally share the stories of others. I’m not used to telling my own. How do I start? Where do I begin to tell my tale?
When I feel myself getting stuck I usually do two things to clear my mind.
- Go for a walk
- Read a book
Most of my inspiration comes from long walks around my family’s farm or in the books I read. The one resting on my side table begins with a prologue, an opening to a story that provides background information or context about the narrative, characters, or setting, giving me an idea.
A prologue for the blog!
So, here’s a little background information about me to provide you with some context about my story before we dive in.
My name is Hannah. I’m a writer with a background in journalistic, academic, and creative writing who is experiencing a lot of new changes right now. I’m starting a freelance writing business after leaving the entertainment world of film and television production, querying literary agents for the first time with a story I hope will become my debut novel, and writing a blog detailing the highs and lows of this new chapter of my life.
I’d like to use this blog as a way to form a community with other creatives seeking support (and plenty of laughs) by sharing writing tips I’ve learned, the books I’m reading, and my journey into publishing.
Outside of writing, I’m an old soul with a thick Minnesotan accent who listens to ABBA on repeat, endorses handwritten correspondence, and watches vintage hair tutorials with the hope of one day mastering the 1940s victory roll. I’m also a proud dog mom to my nearly three-year-old maltese who is named after actress Betty White and Riverdale character Betty Cooper.
I prefer the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice over the 1995 BBC miniseries, despite it being an unpopular opinion to have within the Jane Austen fandom. To make matters worse, Mansfield Park is one of my favorite Jane Austen novels, which is even more unpopular.
I’ve never met a potato I didn’t absolutely adore, and wish it was possible to travel like Jack and Annie in the Magic Tree House series.
Now that we are better acquainted, dearest readers, I believe I am ready to close this prologue and continue on with my story. New beginnings are as intimidating as they are thrilling, so it’s comforting to know I am not alone as I turn the page to begin this new chapter of my life.
Thank you for visiting my blog. I’m so glad to have you here!
