Just wanted to note that some sentences stood alone in more bizarre ways than others. Like "One useful “social currency” topic is the weather." on its own, or really in the O section, seemed like a piece of really bad advice, but in context told a whole story about your mindset in the situation.
Interesting! I could work out the broad strokes of what topics you were discussing, but I wouldn't have been able to link all of the sentences to the correct topic - the parts about ChatGPT and automatons threw me!
I don't know if pointing out spelling/grammar errors is appreciated or if it would just come across as weird and pedantic?
Go for it. I'm cr*p at proofreading, so appreciate it. Just bear in mind that Americans always spell things wrong (eg color instead of colour; tonite/tonight etc.)
Forma -- yeah, ok. It's a spelling unique to where I live in London (ie my office)
my/by - - thanks for spotting my deliberate error
fifty three -- correct, mea culpa
ruminated -- quite right
unfortunately -- too true
Thanks for pointing those errors out! In my defence, I was writing this article (a) in a hall full of noisy children and (b) in a desperate hurry to get stuff done before the rush hour. :-)
No need to defend yourself! I'd make most of those mistakes even without being around noisy children... In fact, I wouldn't even try writing while it's noisy, I struggle to focus even if someone is rustling their clothes in the same room as me.
Wow, Terry - talk about brain TRAINing....! I love how you took the 99-sentence idea and developed an additional exercise out of it.
The thing about reading a fantastic piece of writing is that it takes you to a series of different places, each with its own introduction and conclusion - so I found dozens of potential starting sentences, and really enjoyed considering each of them.
Never mind YOUR need for a cup of tea after that cranial work-out - I think I need several...!
I must have a go sometime, Terry - I'll have a look at your prompts!
I've just been having a look at your latest 'Experiments in Style' post - wow, wow and wow again - it's really made me think. I'm going to be sending you a bill for teabags at this rate... 😉
As part of my campaign against the use of non-compostable teabags I'm afraid I am unable to recompense you for your extra expenditure on tea. I know my rights. x
I'd love to chat, but I am currently working on my latest Start the Week, aka my contribution to modern classic literature. I cannot be disturbed. My art, my muse. Nobody understands the trials and tribulations of a writer etc etc
I managed to get the opening couple of sentences as I was scrolling through, but then I opted for seeing your solution rather than waiting for the universe to end with me trying.
But this reminded me of Cain's Jawbone (https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/50074593). 100 pages, but not in the correct order. I haven't got a copy, but a friend has and he's never solved it. I think only a few people in the world ever have.
Well done, Nathan! And thanks for trying. I found it quite challenging to do because I wanted the sentences to make sense in themselves. So writing things like "Another example would be...". Example of what? The corollary, however, is that it seemed to me to be a bit stilted or clunky in parts. But what do YOU think?
Thanks for mentioning that book. I think you mentioned it before. Sounds great! Will try and acquire a copy. Thanks for the link to it
Fret not, it wasn't a criticism. Having just followed the link you kindly provided, I note that I came across this some time ago. I'd have bought it, perhaps as a present, but it's £100 😨
Your photo of " girl with train" is remarkable in its shift from bright color to silhouette in one lone shot. I would like to use it to inspire a flash fiction of my own.!
Just wanted to note that some sentences stood alone in more bizarre ways than others. Like "One useful “social currency” topic is the weather." on its own, or really in the O section, seemed like a piece of really bad advice, but in context told a whole story about your mindset in the situation.
Ha! In England, the ONLY topic that is invariably considered good social currency is the weather! 😆
Interesting! I could work out the broad strokes of what topics you were discussing, but I wouldn't have been able to link all of the sentences to the correct topic - the parts about ChatGPT and automatons threw me!
I don't know if pointing out spelling/grammar errors is appreciated or if it would just come across as weird and pedantic?
Go for it. I'm cr*p at proofreading, so appreciate it. Just bear in mind that Americans always spell things wrong (eg color instead of colour; tonite/tonight etc.)
No worries, I'm British!
- Fortunately, there are topics in England that forma kind of social currency. (form a)
- My second train set was made my Tri-ang. (by, not my)
- fifty three miles (x2, needs a hyphen for the number)
- “So this is what writer’s block feels like”, I ruminated. (comma on inside, I think?)
- It was too late to retrace my steps unfortunately. (comma after steps, I think?)
God, you Brits are so pedantic.
Forma -- yeah, ok. It's a spelling unique to where I live in London (ie my office)
my/by - - thanks for spotting my deliberate error
fifty three -- correct, mea culpa
ruminated -- quite right
unfortunately -- too true
Thanks for pointing those errors out! In my defence, I was writing this article (a) in a hall full of noisy children and (b) in a desperate hurry to get stuff done before the rush hour. :-)
No need to defend yourself! I'd make most of those mistakes even without being around noisy children... In fact, I wouldn't even try writing while it's noisy, I struggle to focus even if someone is rustling their clothes in the same room as me.
😂
Wow, Terry - talk about brain TRAINing....! I love how you took the 99-sentence idea and developed an additional exercise out of it.
The thing about reading a fantastic piece of writing is that it takes you to a series of different places, each with its own introduction and conclusion - so I found dozens of potential starting sentences, and really enjoyed considering each of them.
Never mind YOUR need for a cup of tea after that cranial work-out - I think I need several...!
Bravo! Seriously impressive!
Lol. Thanks, Rebecca. I'd love to see some of your versions if you feel like sharing 😃
I must have a go sometime, Terry - I'll have a look at your prompts!
I've just been having a look at your latest 'Experiments in Style' post - wow, wow and wow again - it's really made me think. I'm going to be sending you a bill for teabags at this rate... 😉
As part of my campaign against the use of non-compostable teabags I'm afraid I am unable to recompense you for your extra expenditure on tea. I know my rights. x
🤣 and darn it! Oh well, at least I tried... 😉
I'd love to chat, but I am currently working on my latest Start the Week, aka my contribution to modern classic literature. I cannot be disturbed. My art, my muse. Nobody understands the trials and tribulations of a writer etc etc
🤣
Impressive, Terry.
I managed to get the opening couple of sentences as I was scrolling through, but then I opted for seeing your solution rather than waiting for the universe to end with me trying.
But this reminded me of Cain's Jawbone (https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/50074593). 100 pages, but not in the correct order. I haven't got a copy, but a friend has and he's never solved it. I think only a few people in the world ever have.
Well done, Nathan! And thanks for trying. I found it quite challenging to do because I wanted the sentences to make sense in themselves. So writing things like "Another example would be...". Example of what? The corollary, however, is that it seemed to me to be a bit stilted or clunky in parts. But what do YOU think?
Thanks for mentioning that book. I think you mentioned it before. Sounds great! Will try and acquire a copy. Thanks for the link to it
(Am about to email you about guest article)
Oh did I? Whoops. Memory failing me.
I'm going to pick up a copy soon. The publishers are making something related to that, too, involving postcards.
It is stilted, but it still works with each sentence in isolation.
I think I might try this exercise out. If it's any good, perhaps I'll post one too!
(And thanks for the email!)
Fret not, it wasn't a criticism. Having just followed the link you kindly provided, I note that I came across this some time ago. I'd have bought it, perhaps as a present, but it's £100 😨
That's odd, it's only $17.99 here...
https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/cains-jawbone-by-edward-powys-mathers-9781800180796
(Or has my coffee not kicked in yet and that's a joke about each page being a quid...?)
Oh, I just looked again, and it's less than a tenner. For a paperback. The version I originally looked at was a pack of index cards.
Your photo of " girl with train" is remarkable in its shift from bright color to silhouette in one lone shot. I would like to use it to inspire a flash fiction of my own.!
Thanks Sharron. Be my guest 😃
I think "active" might be something of an exaggeration but @tfreedmanwriter and @terryfreedman You?