Sunday 23 August 2009

IN WHICH I TRY TO ANSWER REALLY TRICKY QUESTIONS

So, very kindly, or maybe not so kindly, both VP and Ryan have tagged me in their writing meme....

Which words do you use too much in your writing?
Oh god, no idea, probably 'oh god'. 

Which words do you consider overused in stuff you read?
I literally cannot stand people using the word literally. Unless they actually mean literally. No actually I think I am pretty tolerant. I am the total opposite of Lynne Truss. I have just realise the word I overuse is 'actually'.

What’s your favourite piece of writing by you?
Ha ha ha ha ha ha I so do not sit around thinking about what is my favourite piece of writing by myself. Honestly what kind of wanger would you have to be to do that?? [wanders off chuckling to make tea]

What blog post do you wish you’d written?
All of Arabella Sock. 

Regrets, do you have a few? Is there anything you wish you hadn’t written?
Like what? Like what? What are you saying?

How has your writing made a difference?
Another completely absurd and pompous question which reveals this quiz was definitely made up by an American. :-)

Name three favourite words
 cannot take seriously

…And three words you’re not so keen on
Leonardo di Caprio

Do you have a writing mentor, role model or inspiration?
I think there are so many amazing garden writers that we don't get to read enough of. I bought a second hand copy of Anna Pavord's columns last year - she is just so funny, so knowledgeable. Ursula Buchan I love, whatever Matthew 'evil thoughts' Appleby thinks. Elspeth Thompson I revere. I love Sarah Raven for her bossiness, I love Beverley Nichols for his naughtiness, I love Vita Sackville-West for being so Vita-ish. You could spend your life reading about nothing but gardening and a) not run out of material and b) always be reading utterly stylish stuff. 


What’s your writing ambition?
I just like to be able to describe things for people who aren't there. I love that challenge. Describing something is a really weird process on a neurological level. Think about this - your brain is finding a way of putting an image, a physical, possibly smellable, touchable, evocative image, into someone else's brain. It does this merely by words, it doesn't show the other person pictures, it doesn't let them smell the smell. Just words. If you think about it long enough, you begin to realise that writing is a form of weird mind control. You can make other people angry, sad, turned on... See! It's so weird! You can make water come out their eyes! (if you are really good at it)
I'm telling you, it's weird. 


VP and Ryan I love both your blogs, don't go changing. xxx

7 comments:

Unknown said...

And you describe things very well too!

Good to see the Meme in action!

Ryan

Joanne said...

I found my way back here from VP's blog and yes food for thought.
Perhaps if I could only learn your skills I might actually get a journalist to do an intelligent article on the controversay surrounding diagnosis and treatment of Lyme Disease which is causing thousands of people to be misdiagnosed.
When the science is there for all to see. Dr Stephen Phillips and other ILADS presentations to IDSA review details on their website.
http://www.idsociety.org/Content.aspx?id=15026
My post on this I know leads much to be desired but truthfull if not of journalistic quality and a scandal needing to be told .
http://joanne-orangecottages.blogspot.com/2009/08/evidence-is-in-that-exposes-medical.html

So any tips will be recieved greatfully.

VP said...

Tee hee, what a quick turnaround :)

I thought about Arabella too - you've managed to hit the nail on the head exactly.

VP said...

PS I loved your article about Victoria's garden opening today :)

Arabella Sock said...

I think the p might have been taken just a little bit here.. I am thinking about setting up a course on how to write childish smut though. LOL!

emmat said...

NO!!! making people giggle is probably the most important gift anyone can have, in my opinion. I love the sock.

Unknown said...

I should have added the sock too. Absolute inspiration!

You always make me giggle Emma! And I love reading your work! Job done? lol

Ryan