It's the first fifty and I don't know why.

     Half of my novels were plot driven and then I changed to character driven. But it doesn't matter what method I choose, the first fifty pages are the hardest. To overcome this, I tried outlining but I can't work from an outline. Never could.
     However, I do have a pretty good start because I formulate my plot ahead of time by typing it down on one or two pages. Then I pick my characters because the right type of characters are essential to every novel. Either they work with the plot and serve a purpose or they're excess baggage and it's better to dump them. In other words, don't stick a character in because you like him/her. If they're there for no reason other than your admiration, it's best to save them for a novel they'll work in. Otherwise leaving them in can cause a drag on your plot. Characters move the plot. That's the idea.
     So I formulate a story, do the amount of research it takes to write the novel--and that can be a long process. However, having the research beforehand helps your story move along. You're not constantly stopping to look up some detail or other.
     So I have the basic plot, my characters, research done and next it's onto locations. Since 98% of my novels take place somewhere in NY State, that doesn't take long because I've lived in all three parts of NY State; the city itself, on Long Island and upper NY State. Once I have all of this done, it's a go. Right?
     Afraid not.
     The first fifty pages, which narrows down to about 6 or 7 chapters drives me crazy. I spend most of my time working on those chapters. I think it's due to worry that I'm drifting away from the plot or that I haven't introduced my characters as I should have. This forces me to constantly edit the same stuff until I'm nearly sick of it.
     But once that's over and I get my groove, I can't write fast enough. The ideas flow so rapidly I have to write notes because my thinking drifts to two or three chapters ahead of what I'm doing. So I type notes on my manuscript pages about where it's going next. It's too bad I couldn't start that way--working at a decent pace. And I've tried so many different techniques to overcome this, but nothing works.
     Now I'm curious. Do other writers go through this same thing? Or do they slow down at other points in the manuscript? Drop me a line and let me know, either in my reviews section or at danar96.starband.net.
     If anyone has found the cure, please share with all of us. I'll put the info in an article and reference you.