There’s a lead to a story that I absolutely loved, but was a little unsure of. I think I needed a little nudge from someone to say, “Yeah, you’re right, it works,” but I kept getting the “I’m not sure it does,” or “Why don’t you start with a bang?” or “I can’t tell what the story is about from this first line,” and after struggling with it for a long time, I let go.

I let the story stand as it was with that imperfect (to others) first line, and thought I’d come back to it fresh later. I made tea, I read, I sat outside, and I just enjoyed the scenery. I got to work on other deadlines, watched a movie, forgot about the lead and the story.

A day later, I came back to it. I still liked it. I’ve kept it.

I don’t know if the editor will like it or not and if he’ll ask me to change it, but I’ll never know if I don’t try it, right?