The publishing industry places a lot of emphasis on a novel’s first lines and chapter to hook the reader. However, over-emphasis on chapter one during drafting can stall the writing process and stifle creativity. Below are five ways to change your mindset and approach so you can get past the beginning and write your novel.

Reading your draft novel, or portions of it, aloud to yourself can reveal developmental (big-picture) issues you may otherwise miss. If you prepare for it with intention, you will gain greater insights and identify opportunities to strengthen your work and grow as a writer. The point of this exercise is not to identify spelling and grammar mistakes, but to listen to how your work in progress sounds, get a feel for its pacing, and identify any plot holes or things that are missing. But reading aloud can also help you identify what’s working well. It’s just as important to celebrate what you love about your writing!

Do you long to return to your writing? Perhaps life has intervened, and a few weeks have turned into months or years. It’s natural to miss that part of yourself and feel disconnected from your creativity. You may even feel some guilt and shame that you haven’t been writing.

Recently, a writer told me about a new idea she had for her novel that sparked an interesting conversation. Verbalizing an idea to another person forces you to look at the big picture, understand its potential impacts, weigh the pros and cons, and make an informed decision about how you want to move forward. As a coach, it’s my job to ask open-ended questions to help you come to your own insights and decisions. I can also help you explore your mindset, so you can move forward and write the story that wants to be told.

Who gets to call themselves a writer? Someone who writes. If you write, you’re a writer. It can be that simple—if you allow yourself to embrace your artistic identity.