Observe any specialist, and they know exactly which tool they need for a particular job. Writers, too, should know what tools they need, and how to use them.
Read MoreThe Professional Writer: Learning the tools of your trade
A 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.
Free books for writers
in News & views
Free books for writers — but hurry.
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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 MoreReview: Book Parts
When you start to read a new book, what’s your routine? My routines differ according to whether the book is fiction or non-fiction, and whether I’ve been sent it to review or not.
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imposter syndrome, by Terry Freedman
Call yourself a writer? Imposter syndrome
There’s a good chance that I’ve led a sheltered life, have very low standards, or both, but in my opinion the degree to which someone suffers from imposter syndrome is inversely related to how good they really are.
Read MoreA writer's woes
Today began promisingly….
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Locking yourself in as far as orators are concerned can lead to more creativity. Phrase: locus and chalet, by Terry Freedman
Courtroom: Yachtswoman The Oulipo: A Taxation
in Oulipo, Creative Writing, Events
Doglegs your yachtswoman need a boost of instigator?
Read MoreLocking yourself in as far as options are concerned can lead to more creativity. Photo: lock and chain, by Terry Freedman
Course: Writing the Oulipo: A Taster
in Oulipo, Creative Writing, Events
Does your writing need a boost of inspiration?
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Book review: Your Press Release Is Breaking My Heart
in Bookshelf
Most press releases are boring. Even worse, some are annoying. And the people who send them can be even more annoying.
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Proofreading, by Terry Freedman
The need for more intensive proofreading
Those people who implore us to always have someone else proofread a piece of writing are, annoyingly, completely correct.
Read MoreUsing codes when note-taking
You might think that recording an interview, and then transcribing it using an app like Otter, would be much faster than writing everything down at the time.
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Conversing, by Terry Freedman
An unexpected benefit of lockdown
Who would have thought that during lockdown, a time that you can venture out of your front door only if your life depends on it (or you’ve run out of milk), it’s been possible to have conversations with all sorts of people?
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No thanks!, by Terry Freedman
Writers: tear up the rule book!
Adverbs serve a purpose, or they wouldn’t exist, they would have fallen into disuse.
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Blogger, by Terry Freedman
7 things that every serious blogger should do
If you're going to blog, please don't disrespect your reader by publishing non-proofed copy, verbose (aka pompous) writing, gratuitous swearing, incorrect words and other horrors that could easily be avoided.
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Part of a blogging SWOT analysis using digital post-it notes, by Terry Freedman
The trials and tribulations of blogging as a SWOT analysis (Updated)
in News & views
Blogging is not necessarily easy. Even if writing itself is not a problem, there are several other factors that need to be taken into account.
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A tree, by Terry Freedman. I selected this photo to accompany the article because it’s expansive, reaching upwards and outwards, and flourishing. That’s what we writers should be like!
Writers: Use what you got!
in News & views
When Sugar Pi De Santo sang “Use what you got”, I’m fairly certain that she wasn’t referring to writing and getting articles published. However, the sentiment expressed, especially in the first verse, can be applied more generally.
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hazardous area by Terry Freedman
The basics of good technical writing
Technical writing may not sound like the most exciting thing in the world, but (a) there’s a great need for it and (b) a huge degree of satisfaction is gained from writing user manuals that ordinary mortals can understand.
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