Try this for fun: copy a few paragraphs from your blog or some other writing that you've done--fiction is best--into the dialog box at the following web site:
www.iwl.me
Click on the ANALYZE button, and presto! the program will analyze your writing and tell you who you write like.
As you can see, I've been analyzed.
I write like Kurt Vonnegut, famous and influential 20th century American writer. This didn't sound too bad, though I admit I had never read anything by him. So a few clicks on the keyboard and I brought up a few excerpts.
Hmm. What if I don't want to write like Kurt Vonnegut? I read some weird futuristic stuff, some stuff that was obviously influenced by his World War Two military service, and some stuff I just didn't get.
Maybe another piece of my writing would bring up another name. I found a story I had written back in my feminist awakening days and plugged it into the Analyzer at iwl.me. This time a new name that I had never heard before: Chuck Palahniuk. Okay, check him out. Wow, hmm, ooh, lots of police stories, prostitutes, drugs, awful things happening, blood, violence, etc., etc. Certainly not my first pick for curling up on the couch on a winter's eve for an engrossing read.
Anyway, today I went to the public library and took out three of Palahniuk's novels. The dust jacket of one of his books tells me that his books are "generation-defining" (another Douglas Coupland?) and that he's sold more than three million copies of his novels. Okay, maybe I should reconsider. Who wouldn't like that to be said about his or her writing?
I also took out Vonnegut's Bagombo Snuff Box. It's a collection of his uncollected short fiction (that means previously unpublished in book form). I've sat here for the last hour reading four short stories, totally engrossed in the author's craft. Now I see why he's counted as one of the recent American greats.
I've changed my mind. I'll wear the Kurt Vonnegut badge.
Maybe I should give Palahniuk another chance. I think I'll check out his non-fiction.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Strange Photo Caption
When the local weekly newspaper arrives in my mailbox, I glance through the ads, recycle them, and then browse through the paper, reading the articles that interest me. I like to keep up with what's happening in town.
Today, my attention was arrested by a caption under a photo of a happy looking older man and woman, sitting on a bench, obviously enjoying each other's company, a fine summer day, and a moment of laughter.
Nothing unusual in that, I suppose. What was strange was the caption: "As more and more Canadians reach 'baby boomer' status, society and business alike will feel the impact."
I wasn't aware that "baby boomer status" was something one "reached." Either you are a baby boomer or you're not. If you were born between 1946 and 1966 (the usual dates given), you are one.
I was also unaware that people were still being added to the ranks of baby boomers, but according to the photo caption, "more and more Canadians" are.
Although baby boomers represent almost a third of the Canadian population, apparently there are still not enough of us.
Today, my attention was arrested by a caption under a photo of a happy looking older man and woman, sitting on a bench, obviously enjoying each other's company, a fine summer day, and a moment of laughter.
Nothing unusual in that, I suppose. What was strange was the caption: "As more and more Canadians reach 'baby boomer' status, society and business alike will feel the impact."
I wasn't aware that "baby boomer status" was something one "reached." Either you are a baby boomer or you're not. If you were born between 1946 and 1966 (the usual dates given), you are one.
I was also unaware that people were still being added to the ranks of baby boomers, but according to the photo caption, "more and more Canadians" are.
Although baby boomers represent almost a third of the Canadian population, apparently there are still not enough of us.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Check-up!
I know it's only three days into the new year, but maybe it's a good time for a check-up to see how I'm doing on my resolutions. The one I'm interested in today is "Live Lean." Hmm. One trip to the grocery store and I've missed the mark already.
After a day at the toboggan hill, I invited my family over for soup for supper. I knew just what I wanted to make. O'Charley's Potato Soup. The only problem was that I didn't have even one of the ingredients I needed, not even the potatoes. I made a list and headed off to the store. A quick buzz around the aisles, and $41.17 later, I was ready to make that soup.
$41.17!!!! I know what you're thinking. I'm thinking exactly the same thing. That's a pretty expensive pot of soup. Six of us ate, so if we do the math, as they say, that works out to $6.86 a bowl. Well, that's not quite right because there was some left over, which I sent home with my family. So maybe they'll get tomorrow's lunch out of it, for four people. So that brings the price per bowl down to about $4.12 a bowl.
We had sandwiches on crusty buns with sliced sandwich meat, ham and summer sausage (some of which is also left over). Oh, and I have two 500 gram packages of bacon in my freezer (a three-pack, one of which I used for the soup, for $9.99).
Still, at the check-out, $41.17 didn't seem to be very lean.
After a day at the toboggan hill, I invited my family over for soup for supper. I knew just what I wanted to make. O'Charley's Potato Soup. The only problem was that I didn't have even one of the ingredients I needed, not even the potatoes. I made a list and headed off to the store. A quick buzz around the aisles, and $41.17 later, I was ready to make that soup.
$41.17!!!! I know what you're thinking. I'm thinking exactly the same thing. That's a pretty expensive pot of soup. Six of us ate, so if we do the math, as they say, that works out to $6.86 a bowl. Well, that's not quite right because there was some left over, which I sent home with my family. So maybe they'll get tomorrow's lunch out of it, for four people. So that brings the price per bowl down to about $4.12 a bowl.
We had sandwiches on crusty buns with sliced sandwich meat, ham and summer sausage (some of which is also left over). Oh, and I have two 500 gram packages of bacon in my freezer (a three-pack, one of which I used for the soup, for $9.99).
Still, at the check-out, $41.17 didn't seem to be very lean.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Is it Too Late for Resolutions?
I hope it's not too late to post my resolutions. Somehow, having them public seems to be a good thing. It makes me more accountable. At any time during the year, feel free to ask me how I'm doing on my resolutions. I've categorized them so it will be easier for me to keep track; as well, the list will be posted on my fridge.
In 2011, I would like to . . .
Spiritual
Finish two courses for my Master’s degree
Read through the Bible at least once
Physical
Walk or bike to work
Drink at least four glasses of water a day
Intellectual
Take Creative Writing
Read more poetry
Write more on my blog
Environmental
Keep up with the recycling
Be more conscious and careful of water and electricity use
Household Projects
Patch and paint stairwell
Clean filing cabinets (aim for two empty drawers)
In General
Live lean (this means spend less money frivolously)
In 2011, I would like to . . .
Spiritual
Finish two courses for my Master’s degree
Read through the Bible at least once
Physical
Walk or bike to work
Drink at least four glasses of water a day
Intellectual
Take Creative Writing
Read more poetry
Write more on my blog
Environmental
Keep up with the recycling
Be more conscious and careful of water and electricity use
Household Projects
Patch and paint stairwell
Clean filing cabinets (aim for two empty drawers)
In General
Live lean (this means spend less money frivolously)
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