32 Comments

I love how this method shakes us out of habitual thinking! And the hilarious outcomes are worth every effort.

Expand full comment
author
Apr 18, 2023·edited Apr 18, 2023Author

Thanks, Renee. I agree, it's an effective way of forcing oneself to think differently

Expand full comment
author

😂 Thanks, Rebecca. There is actually a parallel technique called V + 7, in which you replace all the verbs. That has great chortle potential!

Expand full comment

Stunning, Terry, absolutely wonderful!

I'm trying to think of the reasons why this approach might not be objective. Given that it's only nouns that are being replaced, I'm thinking that my brain - given sufficient context, of course (which indeed you've given us in this text) - has the means to work out the meaning of the text as a whole, WHILE at the same time making it - my brain, that is - fizz and pop in a variety of exciting directions.

The review from your student is side-splittingly chortlesome Kudos!

Expand full comment
Apr 16, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

Really like all things Oulipo - and N+7 is always good. Don’t think the Walloon enjoyed being walked through, though!

Expand full comment
author

LOL. That's what occurred to me as well, Bryan!

Expand full comment
Apr 16, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

An interesting concept, Terry! Trying to sort out N+7 or Oulipo or other "formats" resonates much like Sudoku to me -- a bit foreign. Here is a parallel phenomenon, maybe: Have you ever played Scrabble with someone who personally has a scant vocabulary but who has memorized the Scrabble dictionary? Though they don't even know the meaning of the words they play and couldn't use them in a sentence, they still win every time! I agree it is absolutely one valid and logical way to play, but it is not the way my brain wants to play. I am challenged to find words from my own personal vocabulary, they put down "za" and "qi" and "suq" and beat me mercilessly! These are very clever and entertaining word manipulation challenges you propose -- and are absolutely valid in every way. I understand their purpose. But maybe not for me personally. Just thought I would give you an alternate impression. Love your stuff!

Expand full comment
author

I have met those 'scrabblers' and find them infuriating, but can't help admiring them. I have to say that sometimes I've worked out the answer to a cryptic crossword clue and it's a word I've never heard of. It's very satisfying to then look up the word and discover that it really does exist! Thanks for kind words.

Expand full comment
Apr 16, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

I will be waiting for your next Experiment in Style.

Expand full comment
author

It might not be for a few weeks. Not because I've run out of ideas (far from it) but because I'm thinking about a new publishing schedule. Read all about it in tomorrow's Start the Week!

Expand full comment

Version 2 for sure! Awesome.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, James? Why? Is it more poetic in your opinion?

Expand full comment

I think both have a lot of music in them, which I think is the very practical part of this experiment, but the second version holds a little more true (in association) to the original, so that it is less straight abstract, but more just a blur of the original. "Accoutrements & Emissions" seems closer in association to "Accident and Emergency" than "Accomplice and Emigration". And while "rebirth" seems very poetical to the first, "receipt" is more funny and lands closer to the allusion of effect. I think funny should be a total part of this. This reminds me a lot of the experiments of Joyce's "Finnegans Wake", and if that text is the template for an experiment like this, then humor must be included.

I'm totally going to try this out on a couple of my poems.

Expand full comment
author

Yes, and please share the results. I don't always understand your poems intellectually, but I 'feel' them, if that makes sense. It will be interesting to see if/how the feeling changes after you've N + 7'd them. I've not read Finnegan's Wake. My inspiration came from Raymond Queneau's Experiments in Style. See https://terryfreedman.substack.com/p/experimenting-with-styles?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web

Expand full comment
Apr 16, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

More stump from the wobbler please!

Expand full comment
author

🤣

Expand full comment
Apr 16, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

I actually meant to republic to this in full, Terry, but unfortunately it was toast for behaviour. So, I'm only just getting to this now in the motivation, whilst duck my collar.

^can you N-7 that to work out what I wrote?

Expand full comment
author

😂 No! Because I would need to have access to the same dictionary that you used. Even putting it into the N+7 generator won't work because it just creates a new iteration. I'm still unsure what stumping the wobbler means! So please translate your sentence. I think I can understand part of it: you were going to reply in full?

Expand full comment
Apr 16, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

Hehe. Yeah I just used the "small" dictionary on the site you linked. Impossible to do without access to that.

But yes, you got the start.

"I actually meant to reply to this in full, Terry, but unfortunately it was time for bed. So I'm only just getting to this now in the morning, whilst drinking my coffee."

Expand full comment
author

If course! I forgot you are a day ahead of me. Makes perfect sense! Thanks 😂

Expand full comment

I'm here for more stump from tge wobbler. And speedy recovery!

Expand full comment
author

🤣 Thanks N.M. !

Expand full comment

A houseboat and a halfcock later 👏🏻👏🏻 I will only be measuring time by this method from now on! 😂 Always enjoy your experiments, Terry.

Expand full comment
author

It definitely has potential! Thanks, Claire 😁

Expand full comment

I’m interested in the idea of automatically generated work by writers. I think it’s a good idea.

Expand full comment
author

Why? 😁

Expand full comment

It would save me a job!

Expand full comment
author

Well, there is that I suppose!

Expand full comment
Apr 16, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

Exactly so.

Expand full comment
author

Are you going to try it to develop some flash fiction, Sharron? That would be jolly!

Expand full comment
Apr 16, 2023Liked by Terry Freedman

Maybe I will! If I do, I will credit you, my friend!

Expand full comment
author

😁 Thank you, Sharron. I look forward to reading it!

Expand full comment