Start the week #32
Inside Freedman Towers, open posts, other people's articles and a puzzle
Greetings!
Did you know, I write these introductions last, not first. Why do you think that is? Today, for the first time, we go behind the scenes at Freedman Towers, plus there are links to some great articles written by other writers on Substack.
But enough of this persiflage! On with the newsletter!
Terry
Inside Freedman Towers #1
A never-before-seen glimpse behind the scenes of one of England’s most eminent families. Well, one of England’s families. Lord Freedman and his lady wife are at breakfast.
Terry (bursting into song): I left my heart in San Francisco.
Elaine: Ah, Tony Bennett.
Terry: Indeed. Like Tony Bennett, I can not only sing, I am also tall and slender.
Elaine: <Choke; splutter>
Terry: Yes, they even wrote a song about me. (Singing to the tune of The Girl From Ipanema). Tall and slender and young and handsome the bloke from Shepherd’s Bush goes cycling…
Elaine: It’s like living with a foghorn.
HOLY BARBED COMMENT! HOW WILL TERRY RESPOND TO THIS UNPROVOKED INSULT?
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Two paywalled posts are now open
One of the benefits of a premium subscription is that you get quick tips or information about how I write. I recently opened up the following posts, partly because I’m a nice person, and partly to show you what I mean — show don’t tell and all that.
Behind the scenes: memoir: the memoir part, ie the story itself, is about how by some miracle I managed to gather up the courage to ask a beautiful girl out on a date. As you can imagine with anything involving me, it’s not — well, read it for yourself. The behind the scenes part is about the technique I employed in the writing of the article.
If you’ve been enjoying my ‘experiments in style’ project then you might also enjoy reading about how I manage it. If so, this next post is for you:
How I manage the experiments in style project.
Other people’s posts
has written a great post about letter-writing. Enjoy: writes wonderful flash fiction. Here’s just one example:Do you take any notice of the birds in your neighbourhood?
has written a calm-inducing and informative article about birdsong.How many books do you have on the go at any one time?
has written about this and his post has generated over 70 comments:Finally,
has written a guest post for and it’s a lovely read, as always:A puzzle
Finally, can you identify what this is? Answers in the comments please. No prizes I’m afraid.
Further reading
Here are a few referral links to newsletter directories. If you click through and sign up to these services, you’ll be sent links to other newsletters you might be interested in. And the people who run these services will promote this one too. So it’s a potential win-win-win situation.
I find this one especially useful for discovering newsletters and articles concerning leadership matters, which I’m quite interested in.
I very much like the variety served up. I receive one suggestion a day, and have subscribed to a few of them.
This has links to long reads. I haven’t really explored it yet, but it seems quite interesting. If you sign up using that link apparently I’ll get $4 credit towards an advertisement. I’ve no idea how much an advert costs though.
Finally…
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What a wonderful peek into your home, Terry. I sure would love to see a photo of the stout-hearted woman who accepted your proposal of marriage. She sounds perfect for you -- a matching sense of humor. Tell us the best thing about being married to Elaine.How long have you been married? What a curious photo she took! Looks like a burst seed pod from a sycamore, gum or chestnut tree but those spines look very mean. Thank you, your worshipfulness, for the recognition. I was surprised -- and thrilled to see it. I am so silly, it actually cost me a few tears.
I can't wait for the next episode of 'Inside Freedman Towers', Terry!
Thank you for such great links - I shall have great fun exploring. I'm pleased to say that I'm already an avid reader of both 'Leaves' and 'Knots in the String' - I thoroughly enjoy Sharron's and Prue's writing. 😊
Is that a dried-out cactus? Whatever it is, I wouldn't like to step on it without my shoes on!