What can we learn from an apparently simple list, apart from the contents of the list?
Read MoreClassification of my articles: an asyndetic list
in Oulipo
Oulipo
A bang on the head, yeah?
This article is part of series I am writing called Experiments in Style. It is my version of Raymond Queneau’s Exercises in Style.
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Christmas at Selfridges, by Terry Freedman
Christmas message from Writers' Know-how
in Oulipo
Unfortunately, my end-of-year message got a bit mangled, but I’m posting it here anyway. See if you can figure out what it is supposed to say.
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A bang on the head -- N + 12
The results are different depending on which dictionary you use; there is nothing to stop you cheating…
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A bang on the head -- in code
Although the result is nonsensical, I think it has a musical quality of its own.
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A bang on the head -- DIY version
In this version, I’ve decided to pass the story over to you.
Read MoreReview: 99 Ways to tell a story
in Bookshelf, Oulipo, Oulipo book, Reviews
The book works in so many ways that it’s hard to know where to start.
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Click the cover to see this book on Amazon (affiliate link)
Review: Exercises in Style
in Bookshelf, Oulipo, Oulipo book, Reviews
Anyone interested in the craft of writing should read this book. It’s not a primer, or dictionary, or anything of that nature. But it does exactly what it says on the tin.
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A bang on the head in the future tense
In the middle of the night, I will wake up (if you can call being semi-conscious being awake), walk purposefully towards the door to go to the bathroom — and almost knock myself out.
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BOOKS, by Terry Freedman.png
Oulipo books reviewed on this website
Here is a selection of books about or featuring Oulipo that I’ve reviewed on this website. It’s not an extensive list, but I’m adding to it all the time.
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Man in a hat, sepia version, by Terry Freedman
The Oulipo of photography
in Oulipo, Photography
The principles of Oulipo can be applied to photography as well.
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The Oulipo: part of my writing ‘toolkit’. Picture by Terry Freedman
The Oulipo, and how it has helped me as a writer
Unlike other approaches to writing, Oulipo is based on constraints rather than such devices as free association.
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The clothes I wear when carrying out an experiment. Picture: Scientist, by Terry Freedman
An Oulipo Experiment
An account of my experimentation with an Oulipo technique called “acronymic poetry”.
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Two soft drinks, by Terry Freedman
Solitude: a poem
I don’t write poetry. My days of doing so have been over for several eons. However, the first homework we were set, and which I completed and submitted, was to write a poem inspired by a photograph. Here goes.
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Think outside the box, by Terry Freedman
Why constraints are a good thing for writers of all kinds
in Oulipo, Short form
When it comes to communication, being restricted is definitely better, ie more conducive to effectiveness, than having no limits at all.
Read MoreA different form of ice-breaker
in Oulipo
"Hugues Merle (French, 1823-1881), 'Hamlet and Ophelia'" by sofi01 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0. Speech balloons added by Terry Freedman using Phrase it.
Variations on Hamlet
In recent years I’ve become interested in a branch of writing called Oulipo, and have discovered that it’s not only people associated with the theatre or film who have put their individual stamp on Hamlet. Writers too have got in on the act.
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A Bang on the Head -- inspired by Malevich
This article is part of series I am writing called Experiments in Style. It is my version of Raymond Queneau’s Exercises in Style (Amazon affiliate link), in which the author takes a very mundane incident and reworks it in various ways. A graphic version of the same thing is Matt Madden’s 99 Ways to tell a story (ditto). I think it’s quite interesting to see how a change in style can dramatically alter the feel of a piece. My ‘experiments’ are based on the article I wrote called A bang on the head.
A bang on the head, by Terry Freedman
This series of articles is an example of Oulipo. I’ll be taking a very short course called Writing the Oulipo: a taster, on 19 June 2021. As it’s name implies, this is an introductory class, and lasts for just two and a half hours. If you’re interested in learning a few techniques to expand your writing ideas, along with suggestions for further reading, then sign up. It will take place online, so from a geographical point of view it doesn’t matter where in the world you are. Details here: Writing the Oulipo: A Taster.
idea by Terry Freedman
A note about Oulipo
Sometimes what you produce is unutterable rubbish. But occasionally you really do produce something worth keeping, or which sparks an idea for a new piece of writing.
Read MoreA writer's woes
Today began promisingly….
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