Deciding when it's time to stop making calls or sending emails and sit down to write can be challenging to figure out. No matter the length of the story, the first sentence is often the most daunting one to type. Chris Outcalt, an
award-winning feature writer, offers tips on how to recognize when it's time to start writing and suggestions for crafting a lede section you can feel confident about and that will help you develop the momentum to carry through to the end of your story. Have a narrative you're reporting or are just getting started writing? Chris will save time if anyone wants to talk through any in-progress examples.