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intricate layers of experience: from the inner wrestling with pain response, through relationship dynamics, to 'toddlers'-eye-view', to OBE and back, to a cliffhanger finale...

The scene you have created here feels as if Paul is walking (or rather hobbling/ dragging himself) through a hall of warped mirrors.

Can't wait to find out what happens next!

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Feb 3·edited Feb 3Author

Thank you for encapsulating exactly those layers in your very first line. I wrote this book over several years as time allowed while working a demanding 9-5, solo and isolated.

Being with the Substack community for just two months I’ve noticed my writing has matured considerably(!) since then just by reading and interacting with so many creative individuals, and it is that added maturity that specifically added/modified those layers from the original manuscript.

Appreciate your feedback loop.

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That is exactly my experience too! For several years I've been a member of Jericho Writers (a writers' hub in the UK) and other online writers' groups, and have found the exchange invaluable.

As you say, it helps our writing mature considerably! Which is essential, if we want to grow from 'novice writing' to some level of maturity ~ makes sense, doesn't it?

Surprisingly, a common phenomenon in writers (myself included!!) is that we expect our writing to be perfect from the first written words. I don't know of any other creative craft that is so idealistic (or unrealistic) ... So there is not much better we can do (apart from writing of course) than enjoying the journey in the company of fellow writers.

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This is brilliant. Others will be able to provide feedback on the writing, but from a story perspective, this leaves me with so many questions I want the answers to. The writing has pulled me all the way in. You’ve done a great job of creating a protagonist that I don’t necessarily like, but do root for.

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Bing-Bing is totally brilliant. Great chapter, Paul. That experience in the operating room is the thing of nightmares.

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