Working within a limit of 100 words is both terrifying and liberating.
Read MoreThe 100 word constraint
Private Eye, by Terry Freedman
I've never written a detective story but...
in Bad writing, Oulipo
The trouble with detective fiction.
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Blue Cube, by Terry Freedman
A short story involving homophonics: the answers
In a recent article I set a puzzle: identifying the hidden homophonics in a short story. Here are the answers.
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Neon tube map, by Terry Freedman. I’m thinking: does this count as a visual homophone (a homovide?) of a tube map?
A short story involving homophonics
Homophones are words that sound the same but don’t mean the same, such as fare (food) and fare (cost of travel), or their and there. In Oulipo, you take a phrase and think of one which sounds like it. I believe that it is permissible to stretch the definition of “sounds like”, so I have taken advantage of that fact.
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Terry Freedman in the Oval Room, LBF 2018
The London Book Fair 2020
The seminar programme at the London Book Fair (10-12 March) seems to be taking shape. Definitely worth checking out what’s in place so far.
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Shock, Horror! by Terry Freedman.jpg
Sect's Grindstones! The message decoded
My Christmas, Oulipo-inspired message decoded.
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visualhunt, by Terry Freedman.png
12 websites for free illustrations for your articles UPDATED!
Here are 12 websites where you can find high quality pictures that are free to use on your own website or blog.
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Click the cover to see the book on Amazon (affiliate link)
Review of the Oulipo Compendium
2019 R.I.P, by Terry Freedman
Happy New Year, and a puzzle
in News & views
A few things I’m currently reading, plus a puzzle for you.
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Terry Freedman in a cafe, where he often writes — by E Freedman
Best of 2019
A dozen of the best articles on the Writers’ Know-How website in 2019.
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A different way of thinking! Photo of a notice outside Chives cafe in London, by Terry Freedman
Using preverbs to break writer's block
How to use an Oulipo technique involving proverbs to get through writer’s block.
Read MoreA brilliant animated cartoon
You don’t always need words to get your meaning across!
Read MoreReview of The Penguin Book of the Prose Poem
If you are a teacher of English or creative writing, you will find this book to be a rich source of material to discuss and analyse with your students. And if you are a writer, this book will I’m sure prove to be a good investment in extending your craft.
Read MoreFilm Studies as a way to improve your writing
You may not believe this, but film-making and film studies on the one hand, and writing on the other, have a great deal in common.
Read MoreReview of the Penguin Book of Oulipo
The word Oulipo is an acronym of a French group, Ouvroir de littérature potentielle. This is usually translated as Workshop of Potential Literature, although given its association with the sharing and critique of work on creative writing courses, the word ‘workshop’ might be ditched in favour of ‘work room’.
Read MoreRevoke of the Penny Borough of Ourselves
One of the techniques employed by the Oulipo is known as N+7. This is where you take each noun, and replace it with a word that is seven words on in the dictionary. Of course, results vary according to what dictionary you use. The following article is an N+7 version of my review of the Penguin Book of Oulipo. Enjoy!
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Under Waterloo Bridge, by Terry Freedman
Photoprompt #21: Water under the bridge
I like the ‘noir’ feel of this picture.
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ALCS and SoA Educational Writers Awards 2019 by Terry Freedman (2).JPG
ALCS Educational Writers Awards
The shortlisted books for the annual ALCS Educational Writers’ Awards were as beautiful and informative as ever this year.
Read MoreGood reading for would-be good writers
I’ve spent the last term on a course called Great European Short Stories. Here are my views on the course, the tutor, and the other courses of his that I’ve attended.
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Lloyds Building, London, by Terry Freedman
My non-writing writing day
Not every day for the writer has to involve actual writing.
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