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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!!

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Thanks, Nathan. I agree: it's a great expression isn't it.

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Sep 18, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

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??

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Hmm, I like that idea, Nathan, thanks., I will cogitate on't.

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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! 🤣

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Thanks Rebecca. I don't think you're doing anything wrong.

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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. 😊

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you're welcome

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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.

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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.

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Sep 18, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

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*

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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! ;)

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I HAVE posted stuff Ike that, and nobody seemed bothered, apart from me 😂

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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!

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I've done this before 😂 (nobody unsubscribed!)

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Sep 18, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

🤣 good to know. Thanks for testing that out ;)

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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

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Now I'm scared to begin this comment!

Great post.

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😂 thanks, David!

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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

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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...

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😂

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