If you’ve ever felt paralyzed staring at a blank page, unsure of how to get started writing a book, don’t worry, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, too (more times than I can count).

Whether it’s your first novel or you’re tackling your next big fiction project, nailing the beginning of your book can be the hardest part. So many writers, myself included, experience resistance at the start. The good news? There are practical ways to push through that block and get started on your writing journey.

In this post, I’m sharing 10 hacks to help you move past the fear and start writing your book.

Can I write a book with no experience?

Before we get into the tips, a quick word: it’s completely possible to write a book (and a good book at that!) even if you have no experience.

Every famous author whose sold millions of books started with the same thing… a blank page and a dream of a story. You don’t need to have fancy training, years of schooling, or unlimited resources to successfully write a book.

All you need to do is begin.

And now, on to the hacks.

#1: Ask your characters how they want the story to begin

One of the most creative ways to break through starting resistance is to ask your characters themselves where they want the story to begin. This could look like writing a letter to your characters or receiving a letter from them, letting them guide you into the narrative. By taking this approach, you remove the pressure from yourself to come up with the perfect opening and instead let the characters speak for themselves. After all, they are the ones living the story—why not give them the first word?

Sometimes stepping outside of yourself and letting your characters take over can unlock new ideas and excitement for your story. This hack works especially well when you’re not sure how to get started writing a fiction book, as it taps into the heart of character-driven storytelling. By allowing your characters to guide you, you may find that the story begins more naturally than you expected.

#2: Copy the opening of one of your favorite books

Another hack to jumpstart your writing is to copy the opening paragraph of a book you love. It might sound strange, but by literally copying down the first few sentences of a favorite novel, you’ll find that the act of writing helps break through the resistance. This technique works because it gets your brain into “writing mode” without the pressure of having to be original right away. It’s like a warm-up before you dive into your own story.

Once you’ve copied the passage, you can use the momentum you’ve gained to start writing your own book. You may find that by physically writing or typing the words of a great writer, the rhythm of their sentences will start to inspire your own. This is a particularly effective tip when figuring out how to get started on writing a book, especially if you're stuck and need a little push to get the words flowing. Let someone else’s work spark your creativity and then follow that inspiration into your own story.

#3: Start in a different notebook

Sometimes, the problem isn’t what you’re writing—it’s where. If the notebook or document you’ve chosen feels too permanent or high-stakes, try starting somewhere else, like a cheap notebook or your Notes app or even on a grocery list. The act of writing in a place that feels less formal can take the pressure off and give you the freedom to start without overthinking. It’s easier to write something messy in a notebook that feels unimportant, which is exactly what you want when you’re first getting started.

This trick works so well because it’s playing a little psychological game with your brain. When the space you’re writing in doesn’t feel “serious,” you’re less likely to worry about making mistakes. This can be particularly helpful if you’re feeling stuck on how to start writing a book and get it published. By starting small and informal, you can ease your way into the draft and, later, transfer those words to your main project or writing space when you’re ready.

#4: Write three different beginnings

If you can’t decide how to start writing a book, try writing three different versions of the opening. Don’t force yourself to choose one—explore what might happen. This hack allows you to explore different possibilities without the pressure of committing to a single version. By writing multiple beginnings, you give yourself the freedom to try different tones, perspectives, or styles. You may be surprised which beginning resonates the most with you when you start.

After you’ve written the three beginnings, don’t feel like you have to pick one right away to expand on. In fact, you don’t have to choose at all until you’ve written further into the story. The important thing is to get words down and keep moving forward. This method is a great way to overcome the fear of “getting it wrong” because you’re giving yourself permission to explore. When thinking about how to get started writing a book, remember that it’s more important to begin than to be perfect.

The only certain thing that will stop you from becoming a rich, bestselling author is never finishing your book in the first place!

#5: Accept that you’re going to have to rewrite scene one

One of the biggest mindset shifts that can help when you’re figuring out how to get started writing a book is accepting that your first scene will likely be rewritten. (Actually, a lot of your book will likely be rewritten… but that’s a whole other topic!)

The reality is, most authors revise their opening chapters multiple times before the book is finished. So, if you’re feeling stuck because you want to get the beginning just right, take the pressure off yourself. Your job isn’t to write the perfect opening—it’s to get something down so you can keep going.

Once you accept that you’ll probably rewrite the first scene, it becomes a lot easier to just start. Think of it as a placeholder for the real beginning, which you’ll refine later. By getting the first scene on the page, you give yourself permission to move forward and get to the heart of your story. This approach is crucial if you're trying to figure out how to start writing a book and get it published, as the real progress comes from pushing past perfectionism and allowing your draft to evolve over time.

#6: Write scene two first

Still feeling paralyzed by the first page? Here’s a liberating thought: You don’t have to start at the beginning. If the first scene is too daunting, skip ahead to scene two. Writing the second scene—or even a later, more exciting part of the book—can help you build momentum without the pressure of nailing the perfect introduction right away.

In fact, you can jump to any part of the story that excites you. Maybe there’s a climactic scene you’ve been dying to write or a particular piece of dialogue that keeps playing in your head. By writing those sections first, you’ll gain confidence and energy that will help you circle back to the beginning later. This hack is especially useful if you’re looking for a fresh way to approach how to get started writing a fiction book. Sometimes the best way to start is simply by skipping ahead!

#7: Start on page two

Here’s a quirky but surprisingly effective tip: Start on page two. Yes, you read that right. Instead of staring at the blank first page of your notebook or document, skip ahead to page two and begin there. This little trick takes the pressure off the first page, which often feels like it needs to be perfect. By starting on page two, you bypass the psychological block that can come with staring at an empty, intimidating space.

This is inspired by a quote from a Hebrew school lesson: "No Jewish book begins on page one." It’s a fun and lighthearted way to trick your brain into starting. And once you’ve got some words down, you can always go back and fill in the first page later. This hack is a great way to get started writing a book when you’re feeling overwhelmed by the weight of a blank page. The key is to make it feel less daunting, and starting on page two does just that.

#8: Check your mindset

Stop seeing a blank page as your enemy.

See it as an opportunity instead.

One of the best ways to approach how to get started on writing a book is to shift your mindset. Instead of seeing the blank page as a source of intimidation, try to view it as an open space waiting to be filled with your incredible story. Imagine the best possible version of your book taking shape on those pages. What a gift that notebook or document is to the world of your imagination!

If you catch yourself thinking, "I don’t want to ruin this notebook with bad writing," flip that thought around. You’re not ruining it—you’re enhancing it. This mindset shift can transform how you feel about starting. Rather than fearing the blank page, embrace it as the beginning of something amazing. By reframing your thinking, you’ll find it much easier to get started on writing a book without the paralyzing fear of imperfection.

#9: Google notebooks of famous writers

This hack is simple but incredibly reassuring: Google the notebooks of famous writers. Seeing the messy, imperfect drafts of literary giants like Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, or Jennifer Egan can be comforting. These great writers didn’t start with perfect prose; they started with scribbles, crossed-out lines, and half-baked ideas, just like the rest of us.

Looking at their notebooks reminds us that writing is a process, and it’s okay to make a mess along the way. If you’re struggling with how to get started on writing a book, this hack can provide perspective. It shows that even the most accomplished authors go through messy stages of drafting. Their notebooks aren’t pristine, and neither should yours be. Embrace the mess and take comfort in knowing that greatness comes from imperfection.

#10: Embrace themes

Finally, one of the most important lessons when figuring out how to get started writing a book is to embrace the mess. Your first draft is supposed to be rough. It’s not about writing a perfect story right away—it’s about getting something down that you can revise and refine later. The key to making progress is allowing yourself to write badly at first.

Think of your first draft as the foundation. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it does need to exist. Once you have something down, you can shape it into the book you want it to be. This might be the most crucial hack for writers who struggle with perfectionism. Embracing the mess allows you to move forward without getting stuck. Writing a book how to get started is all about accepting that imperfection is part of the process. The magic happens in the rewriting, but first, you have to write something.

If you’re still feeling stuck and unsure about how to get started on writing a book, don’t worry. These hacks are designed to help you break through the resistance and start writing—whether that’s the first scene, the middle, or the ending.

The key is to keep moving forward, even if it’s in small steps. So, pick one of these tips and try it today. Happy writing!

Dreaming of writing a book? Let’s talk.

If you’re someone with a book idea or a work-in-progress, I’d love to know more. My mission is to help writers bring their dream projects to life.

To get started, watch my free video where I explain more about my book-writing process. Just pop over to thebookincubator.com, fill out a short form, and let’s see where this journey takes you!