Well there you sit, staring at the computer or writing pad. You want to start that next novel or short story but those first few words, the ones that make or break, the ones that bring flow to the start of the story – elude you. This happens every time I sit and start a new novel. How do I overcome it? There are a few ways, one is starting with what I call “the sacrificial character” this is a character whom you learn a little about and then they’re gone, usually eliminated b