Just tried writing my first chapter out of order and it actually worked

I was stuck on the opening scene for my fantasy novel for weeks. On a whim last Tuesday, I skipped ahead and wrote a big action scene from chapter five instead. In about two hours, I had 1,200 words down, and it showed me exactly what my main character was fighting for. Going back to the start, I finally knew the right tone to set. Has anyone else broken their own process like this to get unstuck? What part did you jump to?

2 comments

2 Comments

jennyp1912d ago

Honestly, I was a strict linear writer for years. I thought you had to build the story in order or it would all fall apart. Got stuck on a middle chapter last month and finally tried skipping to the ending. Writing that final scene gave me the missing piece I needed for the part I was stuck on. Totally changed how I work now.

hart.mark12d ago

Yeah, jumping ahead saved my last draft too.