"Well begun is half done"

Whoever invented that proverb was probably not talking about writing. I have begun my new story, but how can I tell if it's "well begun?" My experience with writing is that most of what you write at the beginning can be lopped off or severely cut down later. However, maybe this is part of the process and writing things you don't need at the beginning is helpful in getting the story grounded firmly in the writer's mind.

Perhaps planning the story in advance helps to make it "well begun." I did that, thinking for a few days, making notes as I like to do, in my notebook for just that purpose. So maybe it is well begun. I hope so, since there's a deadline looming. I've been writing most of the morning and have four pages written--not NaNoWriMo speed but not too shabby, either. Onward!