Sorry for being slow to this one, Terry. I knew it was going to be a deeper dive, so I wanted to find a proper moment for it and there wasn't much time over the weekend.
Most fascinating. I hadn't ever considered the openings to non-fiction, but this was a really good selection and breakdown. "an ambulatory encyclopedia" -- I would have no choice but to continue reading!!
oh and meant to add: all good by me on the extra experiments section. You could perhaps invite readers to submit their own experiment in style and they could be featured there??
I'm saving, printing, laminating and sleeping with this article under my pillow in perpetuity, Terry!
When I got over my 'oh blimey, I'm doing this all wrong!' shock, I took the time to reread everything you've written here, and you've given me such excellent pointers towards what I feel I will now be a more structured approach to how I tackle my beginnings in particular.
These are great examples you’ve put together. Like the Man U one. Just shows how it’s it’s good to make it original and channel chutzpah. I often change my beginning after I write.
I write the very beginning, the Greetings bit, after I've finished the rest, because it's only at that point that I know what I've included, as opposed to what I intended to include.
Ditto. I find that beginnings often come, ironically, at the end. Or at least get reshaped at the end. When I draft in Substack, my beginnings tend to read as:
Heh, yes! Definitely. I live in fear of posting a post prematurely, especially because I often click on the Preview > Send Test Email button that lives precariously next to the Continue button that leads to actually publishing!
Thanks, Kathleen. Yes, I love the Man U one! Do you? I spend a lot of time in advance on the start because I find it hard to write anything until I've nailed the first para. Except for books: I write the introduction last
Sorry for being slow to this one, Terry. I knew it was going to be a deeper dive, so I wanted to find a proper moment for it and there wasn't much time over the weekend.
Most fascinating. I hadn't ever considered the openings to non-fiction, but this was a really good selection and breakdown. "an ambulatory encyclopedia" -- I would have no choice but to continue reading!!
Thanks, Nathan. I agree: it's a great expression isn't it.
oh and meant to add: all good by me on the extra experiments section. You could perhaps invite readers to submit their own experiment in style and they could be featured there??
Hmm, I like that idea, Nathan, thanks., I will cogitate on't.
I'm saving, printing, laminating and sleeping with this article under my pillow in perpetuity, Terry!
When I got over my 'oh blimey, I'm doing this all wrong!' shock, I took the time to reread everything you've written here, and you've given me such excellent pointers towards what I feel I will now be a more structured approach to how I tackle my beginnings in particular.
So grateful. Thank you.
And 'hot flesh'? Well, it got my attention! 🤣
Thanks Rebecca. I don't think you're doing anything wrong.
Kind of you to say! But it's lovely to have the opportunity - and the tools - to improve, so thank you so much for that. 😊
you're welcome
These are great examples you’ve put together. Like the Man U one. Just shows how it’s it’s good to make it original and channel chutzpah. I often change my beginning after I write.
I write the very beginning, the Greetings bit, after I've finished the rest, because it's only at that point that I know what I've included, as opposed to what I intended to include.
Ditto. I find that beginnings often come, ironically, at the end. Or at least get reshaped at the end. When I draft in Substack, my beginnings tend to read as:
asd
asd
asd
[INSERT IMAGE LATER]
asd
asd
----
*actual writing commences*
Wouldn't it be great to have, like, a yellow flag that makes sure you go back? I'm sure I will publish something that is still like this one day.
I guess it would just be a 'behind the curtain' sort of uncovering! ;)
I HAVE posted stuff Ike that, and nobody seemed bothered, apart from me 😂
Heh, yes! Definitely. I live in fear of posting a post prematurely, especially because I often click on the Preview > Send Test Email button that lives precariously next to the Continue button that leads to actually publishing!
I've done this before 😂 (nobody unsubscribed!)
🤣 good to know. Thanks for testing that out ;)
Thanks, Kathleen. Yes, I love the Man U one! Do you? I spend a lot of time in advance on the start because I find it hard to write anything until I've nailed the first para. Except for books: I write the introduction last
Now I'm scared to begin this comment!
Great post.
😂 thanks, David!
OMG I remember Iomega Zip disks. In fact, I think I still have some in the loft.
Flesh: absolutely!
I really like the Giles Smith opening too. It still makes me laugh even though I know what's coming
I rely on Substack and Gmail too! LOL
There's all sorts of rubbish in our loft. I've even got about 200 unused 3.5" diskettes in a variety of colours. I can do you a deal...
😂