Starting a novel

So I guess this counts as writer's block as I have no other section to post it in...

Anyway, I seem to have problems starting my books. If someone gave me 20,000 words of a novel and told me to write the other half, I could continue writing that novel for months nonstop. BUT! When I have a plot idea in my head, like the one I'm working on now, and I have to start with a blank Microsoft Word document, I tend to freeze and shut down . Maybe the problem is that I'm intimidated by beginning 50,000 words. I don't really know. So does anyone have tips for starting a novel? Sorry if this sounds really confusing...

You could try just introducing your characters and their ties to one another. Sometimes when I do it, the monologue builds up and my story gets a good start.

Thanks Jess. Not sure if its exactly what I need, but I'll try. Keep posting suggestions guys!

Aim for a shorter book, then once you get down a chapter or two start making it longer.