I run the MA in Publishing at Kingston University and was talking to academics in the Psychology department at UCL recently about the personality profile of writers - I am about to start a sustained research project on the same.We discussed the kind of pastimes often indulged in by writers - apparently crosswords and Scrabble are particularly popular. In which case, I am a sad disappointment, as I have never liked either. What about you, do you enjoy them?
But just to show I do enjoy playing around with words, I'd like to suggest two modern equivalents. The first is a detailed reading of the Sky News voice recognition software, which delivers a typed text beneath the news, a bit like the teleprompter that used to be used on Grandstand for the results (really showing my age there!).
It's most interesting when it gets it wrong (Kabul = car bull) - the only problem is that as I see this in the gym, while cycling, I don't have anything to write with to hand, and so can't remember the misreporting from the last party conference season that had me snorting with laughter (to the confusion of my fellow cyclists).
My other secret pleasure is seeing what predictive texting on my phone throws up as options when I type in the letters I want to use. These reveal a fascinating usage pattern on the part of my fellow texters. Is 'nun' really a more commonly sought word than 'mum', and why is it that when I try to write 'gran' up comes 'Iran'?
And then there are all the words that have the same pressing pattern as those I select, and which mean you have to make a conscious effort to check what you have just thumbed ('good' and 'hope'). Keeps me amused for hours.
Best wishes and do let me know what kind of word play you enjoy.
Alison Baverstock
(lecturer in publishing)
Read more about Alison, including her tips for new writers and getting feedback on your work, in our Insider Interviews section.
on January 12, 2010
I don't know if I qualify as writer, only recently writing my first real story, not yet finished. I never got used to crosswords but I play Scrabble proficiently, Hangman, and occasionally ponder Scramble (the one where the letters are out of order). I guess I think crosswords silly because of an experience I had of this 30something yr. old lawyer(true story), who was answering a crossword and had to look at a globe to figure out what the 10-letter word for a continent in the south pole was. (Being erudite in science, I guess I take it for granted that everyone should know where the continents are.) However, I don't believe games are as important as reading or even watching movies for developing writing skills. That is sort of the game I do most. If I havn't written well enough to be as good in my opinion as another writer...time to start over.
Fran Hill on January 12, 2010
So it's not just me, then! I was about to go and get pills from the doctor. The voice recognition thing on the telly is FAR more interesting than the programmes! And I do the texting thing as well. I wrote a blog about what happens when you put Shakespeare into predictive text - I came up with all kinds of ideas for new plays.
The teleprompting during the Eurovision song contest is the funniest thing ever.
Claire Fogg on January 13, 2010
My modern equivalent is the voiceover track/band listing function on my iPod Shuffle. It tells me I'm listening to Florence Plus the Machine (Florence and the Machine) or the Soujar Hill Gang (Sugar Hill Gang) etc. I think this might only be amusing when you're actually listening to it as the absurdity catches you unaware.
Emma Burstall - journalist and novelist on January 13, 2010
How funny! I adore crosswords and do (or attempt) the Guardian quick crossword every day. It gives me enormous pleasure to get a difficult clue right, and I'm afaid I become quite grumpy when something foxes me. I used to enjoy predictive text too but don't have it on my new BlackBerry. However, I've now taken to playing Wordmole compulsively. Have any of you tried it? Great fun!
on January 14, 2010
Good for you! In my entire life, I've only played crossword less than 10 times. They say doing crosswords stimulates the brain. I've always wanted to test that theory. You know, that gives me an idea! We should play a word game sometime, taking turns to see which of us knows the meaning of more words. It could be a great learning experience for us and might increase our vocabulary. Well?