At the beginning of a new year, many writers feel the familiar pull to finally start writing their book.

The intention is there.
The desire is genuine.
And yet, when it comes time to begin, something stalls.

For some writers, starting still feels strangely out of reach.
For others, the words have begun to flow — but there’s a quiet worry beneath the surface: What if this momentum fades like it always has before?

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And more importantly — it doesn’t mean anything has gone wrong.

Why starting a book feels harder than it should

Starting a book isn’t just a writing task.

It’s a moment loaded with meaning.

It’s where intention turns into action.
Where imagination meets the page.
Where the story stops living safely in your head and becomes real.

And when that happens, many writers experience resistance — not because they don’t care enough, but because their nervous system senses pressure.

This is why so many writers blame themselves at the beginning:

• Why can’t I just start?
• Why does this feel harder than it should?
• Why does this keep happening to me?

But starting isn’t difficult because you lack discipline or motivation.

Starting is difficult because your system doesn’t yet feel safe enough to move forward.

The problem with “just push through”

Traditional writing advice often focuses on willpower:

• set bigger goals
• write more words
• push past resistance

For some writers, this works — briefly.

But for many, especially those who are sensitive, intuitive, or deeply invested in their stories, pushing harder actually increases resistance. The pressure rises, the stakes feel higher, and the nervous system responds by freezing.

Momentum doesn’t disappear because you’re incapable.
It disappears because the way you’re trying to start doesn’t support how you’re wired.

Momentum begins with safe entry

Instead of asking “How do I force myself to write?”, a more useful question is:

“How do I enter the story in a way my nervous system doesn’t resist?”

Momentum isn’t created by heroic effort.
It’s created by safe, repeated entry.

That means choosing starting points that:

• count as real writing
• keep the stakes low
• reduce overwhelm
• allow movement without pressure

Some examples of safe entry points include:

• writing a messy scene you’re genuinely curious about
• writing a small number of imperfect words and stopping on purpose
• sketching a scene in bullet points, then expanding just one
• talking a scene out loud, then pulling a paragraph onto the page

The goal isn’t to avoid writing — it’s to begin in a way that allows momentum to build naturally.

Why different writers need different starts

Not all resistance looks the same, because not all writers are wired the same way.

Some writers feel safest when there’s emotional gentleness and permission to be imperfect.
Others need clarity and structure before they can move.
Some thrive on excitement and creative energy.
Others need defined, contained tasks that feel purposeful.

Understanding your natural tendencies — how you process information, respond to pressure, and create flow — can make starting far less frustrating.

When you stop trying to start like other writers, and begin in a way that supports you, momentum has somewhere to land.

Shift from output to identity

One of the most powerful changes you can make at the beginning of a book is shifting where you place your focus.

When writing becomes about output — word counts, consistency, productivity — starting often feels heavy.

But when writing becomes about identity, something softens.

Instead of asking:

• How much do I need to get done today?
• Is this enough to count?
• What if I can’t keep this going?

You begin with a different anchor:

• I am a writer.
• Writers write.
• My job is to show up and listen.

You are not here to force the story into existence.
You are here to be the vessel through which it moves.

Momentum doesn’t require confidence.
It requires trust.

A gentler way to begin — and keep beginning

If you’ve struggled with starting before, or if you recognise a pattern of strong beginnings followed by stalled momentum, the answer isn’t more pressure.

It’s a kinder entry point.

Start small.
Start imperfectly.
Start in a way that feels safe enough to repeat.

Because books aren’t written in leaps.
They’re written in moments.

And momentum doesn’t come from doing everything — it comes from beginning.

One word at a time.

Listen to the podcast episode

This article is based on Episode 9 of Write the Darn Book:
Stuck at the Starting Line? How to Start Writing Your Book Without Burning Out

You can listen on Apple Podcasts here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/write-the-darn-book-beat-writers-block/id1858775581

Want deeper support?

If this resonated and you’re ready for deeper, personalised support to break through your blocks and finally write the book you’re meant to write, I currently have a few spots available for 1:1 coaching.

You can learn more and reach out at
https://maddisonmichaels.com/coaching — and we’ll see whether working together feels like the right fit.