When I first sat down to write, I stared at the blank page and tried to think of some strategies for getting started. When I want a guest on my show to start talking and telling a good story, I ask them a question. So I asked myself a question that I would ask a guest: “When did you first fall in love with Tim McGraw?”
That didn’t get me anywhere and I quickly realized I shouldn’t ask myself questions that are so specific to Faith Hill.
So I asked myself a different question.“What made you take on the role of Precious?”
That didn’t work, either. So then I began to think about you, the readers. Who are you? What are you doing? What are you wearing? (Not in a weird way.) I thought it would help to put myself in your shoes for a moment. It always helps to think about other people instead of just ourselves.
Ellen DeGENERES, Seriously... I'm kidding, Grand Central, N.Y., 2011.
