I started a new job in June. As a contractor, I do that a lot. New clients. New people to learn about and work with. New stress. The newness of a job is mostly old hat these days.
It’s a little like starting a new book. You’ve got to figure out the lay of the land. You interview the characters. Find out what makes them tick. Understand what’s needed to get from point A to point B. What conflicts are going to arise along the way.
It would be great if we had as much control over the job as we do over the book. Then again, my characters are more in charge of the book than I am.