38 Comments

That was great Terry. Parts of it were very Camus-like, or at least reminded me of that style.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Jim. I've not read much of Camus, despite having bought a couple of his books. They are part of the section of my bookshelves called Books That I think I ought to Read or at least give the impression that I've read, which I've adapted or adopted from Calvino.

Expand full comment

I know exactly what you mean, brother. Never enough time.

Expand full comment

I like it! David Bowie did a lot of this kind of deliberate experimentation with word order, too :-)

Expand full comment

I heard clips of Bowie chatting about his word-cutting method at the Bowie exhibition a few years back (saw it in Lindon and in Melbourne) - he might even have mentioned Oulipo - you can hear it on albums like Station to Station and Low

Expand full comment
author

Did he? I didn't know that, Martha. Are there any examples in particular you liked?

Expand full comment

Blimey, Terry - and you thought YOU had a headache....?!!! 🤪

Expand full comment
author

LOL. Sorry, Rebecca!

Expand full comment

🤣

Expand full comment
Sep 18, 2023·edited Sep 18, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

Be a thinking, maybe a second opinion on that mild concussion at the urgent care! But then, this could be someone before coffee. Alot of fun, Terry.

Expand full comment
author

LOL. Thanks, Just.

Expand full comment
Sep 17, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

Whoah, this was trippy Terry. Feels completely different and as though there is a lot of hidden meaning purely by these scattered words! Curious to know about the method you employed.

Also, "synchysis". What a word!

Expand full comment
author

"Trippy" is right! Method will be unveiled in my next Behind the scenes post 😁

Expand full comment
Sep 17, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

Look forward to it. I'm one behind actually, will get to your other one later today :)

Expand full comment
author

Hope you enjoy it.it's a bit long

Expand full comment
Sep 17, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

Well done! Delightfully daft. Much more potent for long-term readers as we already have those words running around in our heads anyway. (I’m amazed it only took you five hours!)

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so much, Beth. "Delightfully daft": my new Byline 😂

Expand full comment

🤣

Expand full comment

Way to pull off a difficult piece Terry. I like that after much prevarication he walked through the wall, and got a concussion!

Expand full comment
author

😁 That's logical, isn't it, if one suspends one's disbelief!

Expand full comment

Absolutely! I am often pleased when I accomplish nothing. It’s a frequent occurrence.

Expand full comment
author

LOL I shall start a club for nothing-achievers, if I can be bothered 🤣

Expand full comment

I’m reading this on my phone so couldn’t reference the piece before I posted my comment. I meant I like that he was pleased but accomplished nothing!

Expand full comment
author

story of my life, Donna! 🤣

Expand full comment

Never seen something like this one (besides activities in order changing in a single line of verse). The effect is wonderful because it also plays with the rhythm of the language much more.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Kathleen. I found it quite difficult! there's a version in Queneau's Exercises in Style but it doesn't make much sense. I wanted mine to at least make some sort of sense!

Expand full comment

I was wondering how long this took you??

Expand full comment
author

If I tell you, your admiration for my productivity will dwindle to nothing. You will unsubscribe, and stop commenting, such will be the extent of your disillusion.

Expand full comment

Ha. Keep it a secret!

Expand full comment
author

I did it in two parts, and I think altogether it too -- you won't believe this -- around five hours 😱

Expand full comment

Wow! But if you were enjoying the process then that’s great. I hope you enjoyed the process! 😂

Expand full comment
deletedSep 19, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
author

Latin poetry? Good grief.

It sounds like he's escaped from a fantasy novel to me, so not too dissimilar!

Expand full comment
deletedSep 19, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
author

LOL. You could be right. One of my favourite plays is Six Characters in Search of An Author.

Expand full comment
deletedSep 19, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
author

ooh, I had to look at word up. Well played, Sir. I like using 'different' words, and now I've bin hoisted with my own petard.

Expand full comment