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Nervous about reading your work to a critique group? Find yourself stuttering before you start?

You are not alone. These snappy introductions were made by otherwise confident, competent, individuals."

"This is the beginning of something longer."

"This is a possible first draft."

"This is a little experiment. It's like an idea, okay?"

"I was so sure no one would be here."

"Let's just get this over with."

"My thing is really stupid."

"This is too long."

"I didn't write for crap this week."

"This is the start of something."

"I hope this measures up to my usual standard of mediocrity."

"This is something I wrote so I might as well read it."

"This is just a continuation of something I started."

"I can't seem to write, so this is just something."

"I had to bring something 'cuz I wanted to come."

"A word of caution about this . . ."

"I'm going to read this anyway, because I wrote it."

"This is half of a short story I just started writing,"

"This is the first draft of the possible start, or it could appear in the middle..."

More Handy Lists and Crib Sheets

1. Sample Format for Query or Cover Letter
2. Sample Manuscript Format
3. 101 Ways You Can Use Your Writing Talent
4. 30 Things to Write in Thirty Minutes
5. Tips for Public Readings
6. Writers' Affirmations
7. Critique Groups - Snappy Introductions