(How to) Use Your Words!

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2011

Arthur Plotnik is in the House

I don't recall exactly when I discovered the word wizard-guru that is Arthur Plotnik. But all I know is that whenever he writes about writing or language or style everything he says is jam-packed with insights. Among his books areThe Elements of Expression, The Elements of Editing, The Elements of Authorship, and the bestselling writer's guide Spunk & Bite. Now how could you not appreciate a master who calls a book Spunk & Bite? Like me, you might already marvel at his love of language, his sly twists,wordsmithery, and humor. Which is why when I blogged for Powells I recommended that writers read his books, heed his words and called him a freakin genius-god in the writing world. With his latest book Better Than Great, A Plenitudinous Compendium of Wallopingly Fresh Superlatives available for preorder and on sale June 1, it seemed like a fine time to ask him questions that I know you'll find elucidating.

Q:Could you tell us why you decided to write Better Than Great, A Plenitudinous Compendium of Wallopingly Fresh Superlatives (that's a mouthful). I realize that this is designed to bolster a writer's vocabulary, but I'm wondering if you might have another secret agenda you'd care to divulge.

A: I could say it was to liberate humankind from the tyranny of stock superlatives, such as great, awesome, amazing, incredible, andunbelievable. But first, I'd wanted to purge my own vocabulary of these exhausted, one-size-fits-all terms, the ones we use for anything to be emphasized. A plate of nachos: awesome. A trip to Machu Picchu:awesome. New haircut: amazing. The seas parting: amazing. I was tired of words that had lost all force and make no distinctions. I even tired of wishing people a great this or fabulous that.

So I started gathering and shaping playful alternatives for my own use. Soon, in a greeting card, I was wishing friends a "spumescently brilliant, rapturous, pleoperfect, clangorous, jollified, gladsome, ebullient, soul-schvitzing, luminous, boffo, festal holiday season, not to mention a nirvanic New Year's and annum analeptic." The list soon grew into a book idea that everyone called, for their (then) lack of a better word,great.

You seem to genuinely delight in language. Since words are our humble tools, how can this love of language be passed along to beginning writers?

A: They have to experience that delight---the heart-juddering frisson of the perfect, unanticipated word or turn of phrase; the savor of sustained lyricism.

The trouble is, our everyday world hardly brims with language virtuosos or personalities who ignite a passion for words. Abbreviated communication forms like texting are anathema to language-love (though a well-Twittered word can still delight). Without inspiring models (mostly from reading), new writers become message-oriented, attitude-oriented, their language rarely acquiring the texture that makes it adhere and resonate. And so if falls to the deft writing coach to guide beginners through model passages---eloquent to funky examples, Jane Austin to Junot Diaz---hoping to plant the love that cannot be suppressed.

Q: What is your explanation of how language stimulates the senses in a reader and your tips for doing so?

A: Hey, no essay questions! But the short advice is: Write to the guts. Get something visceral into the equation---something that stimulates the sensual memory, the emotions, appetite, nervous system. Devices for doing so include surprise (we react chemically to the unexpected), sensual particulars, sensations spelled out, or an association with felt experiences.

For instance, how do you describe a color to make it sensed and felt? Some examples: "Hectic red" (Shelley),with that surprising, visceral modifier. "The black of the void" (Gary Shteyngart), evoking fear---the alarm bell of the senses. "A green-green-green that makes you want to cry" (Sandra Cisneros), spelling out the palpable sensation. "Eyes of "anti-freeze green" (Chuck Palahniuk), a particular reference with chilling associations. "Upholstery the color of Thousand Island Dressing"(John Banville)---something you can, ugh, taste.

Q: Do you have sage advice for when to modify and when to leave the noun alone? And what about adverbs? I'm an anti-adverb editor, but I'm wondering if you're more lenient than I when it comes to these critters.

A: Leave nouns alone when, in context, they have all the force and clarity they need. "Memories lurk like dustballs at the back of drawers," wrote Jay McInerney. Did he mean affecting memories? Fragile, hiddendustballs? Dresser drawers? Probably. Did he need to say it? God no. On the other hand, when John Lanchester writes, "This grew in me an . . . an intellectual tumescence," we do appreciate having the type of tumescence clarified, as well as the evocative image.

Same story with adverbs, which tell us the how (manner) and the how much (degree) of a verb or modifier. He drank copiously (degree). He drank sloppily (manner). He's a reportedly excessive drinker (manner). Adverbs evolved to supply extra information, nothing wrong with that. What has given them a bad name is their frequent (or cliché) use when the information and/or force is already there: She's completely unique. I was incoherently babbling. You are totally bedazzling. I hungrily wolfed the meatballs.

But when used inventively, adverbs add nuance, tone, and especially emphasis. In Better Than Great's introduction, I offer some examples from journalism and literature: kneebucklinglysweet; blissfully deranged; searingly gifted;blamelessly beautiful. And Jessica, didn't you once recklessly describe me as a "freakin' genius-god in the writing world"? With the intensifying adverb "freakin(g)," you were emphasizing the degree of genius-divinity or the strength of your conviction. Maybe it was excessive, but I liked it so much that my wife had it printed on a T-shirt. An adverbial T-shirt.

Q: Years ago you wrote that voice is in "harmony with your roots." I've used that expression many times while talking to writers about voice--crediting you, of course. I'm wondering if you could talk a bit about voice in fiction and nonfiction and how writers can develop a consistent, potent voice.

A:Greater genius-gods than I have opined that voice is the total of all the decisions you make as you choose words and put them together. Just about everything in your education and experience influences those decisions, beginning with your roots and including your homies, your favorite literary models, your aspirations, and your relationship to an audience of listeners or readers. Some writing mavens say that you don't make or "develop" a voice, but that it simply emerges along with your personality. Rhetoricians from the Greeks on have presented figures of speech ( for example, hyperbole, metaphor, and irony) and other devices as the means to a style or voice.

I'm a little of both schools: the flavor and consistency of your voice will take care of itself; but understanding the elements of rhetoric---which are about emphasis and persuasiveness---help give it force. Good writing guides teach these elements one way or another, and are worth studying to a point. Mainly, they clear the junk from your writing and reveal patterns for styling your own wit and inventiveness into something voice-like. But when you write, don't think about your voice being heard and adored; what you want an audience to "hear" is ideas, feelings, and story well rendered. The adoration will come.

Q: What's your best advice to writers on editing their own writing?
A:Standard advice says: Write first---get the words down---and edit later. I edit partly as I write; it makes me feel better as I go forward, but it's disablingly slow. Whenever you do edit, though, follow the big rules: Omit needless words, as Strunk & White rightly tell you; say it shorter, making sure the verbiage is never too much for the thought. Kill your darlings---those belabored turns of phrase that call attention to themselves and away from the message. Favor the concrete---particulars---over abstractions and generalities. Pay attention to verbs; choose lively ones and drop in an unexpected zinger now and then. Of a victim falling to his death from a building, Gary Shteyngart writes, "his head knew the ground" instead of "his head hit the ground." Wow. Don't overdo any device. And of course, burn and kill all clichés and anything that seems stale; when you talk about voice, freshness is everything!

Q: I'm also wondering if you could start a movement to resuscitateawesome so that it recaptures its original meaning? We'd be happy to aid in the cause.

A:Yes---in the New Order, "awesome" will be applied only to thingsinspiring extreme fear or reverence. No more "awesome toilet paper" or other Yelper-ish acclaim for the trivial.

Meanwhile, to prop up the moribund term, Better Than Great suggests such intensifications as: tongue-dryingly awesome, Colossus-of-Rhodes awesome, fall-to-your-knees awesome, awesome on a toot, giga-awesome, industrial-strength awesome, and tera-awesome, which is 10-to-the-twelfth-power awesome, suitable for most divinities.

But in our campaign, Jessica, let's require anyone uttering "awesome" to stagger backward all atremble, respecting the gravity of the word. Writers using it casually will be forced to watch hour-long sequences of "King Kong," fearing and revering the awesome ape. Cruel but necessary.

Q: While attending the University of Wisconsin I enrolled in a class on tree identification. We'd meander through lovely parks near the campus identifying trees and learned the differences between spruce and pine. Then I moved to the Northwest and am still learning the names of species out here. Can you tell us about your passion for trees as illustrated in The Urban Tree Book? Do you tree gaze in Chicago these days?

A:When I started that book (with my wife, the illustrator) I was a new convert to tree love, the most passionate kind. Learning enough to write an authoritative guide opened worlds of pleasure on every block. Trees took on personalities. I could all but talk with them. Okay, I do sometimes talk to them. Sadly, these days the conversation is often depressing. It's like walking through an injury ward: practically every urban tree is fighting off ailments, many of them caused by our carelessness or lack of care. Trees are like writers to some degree: they give so much, don't ask a lot, get pissed on, and somehow keep giving.

Q:Who do you wish you could meet, living or dead?

A:Why Shakespeare, of course, the real genius-god. We'd quaff a few pints of grog, talk about words, and have a laugh over the evolution of English into rap. I might ask, "Ay yo, Will---whutup wit all dem mysteries 'bout ya'll and who scribed ya plays?" Thus I'd be getting the 411 for a definitive biography with a seven-figure advance.

Q:Pasta or sushi?

A: Basta with the pasta. And make my maki a dal makhani, the summa-cum-yummy Indian dish.
Q:What's on your nightstand?

A: Gary Shteyngart's Super Sad True Love Story, as you might have guessed by now. His eye and ear are Wüsthof-knife sharp in this, his best novel. Also on the table, my Soft Bite guard against tooth grinding, because apparently it's not enough for writers to grind it out all day

Q: What projects are you working on next?

A: Launching the new book is a big time-suck, but I'm amusing myself gathering modern metaphors as I encounter them, putting them in categories. Something might come of it, but here's what kind of fun they offer in the meantime (from the APPEARANCE category):

“You’ve had a face like a smacked arse since you got here.” —Zadie Smith

“Look at the head on that sheygets, the thing has its own atmosphere, . . . Thing has ice caps. . . . Every time I see it, I feel sorry for necks.” ---Michael Chabon

". . . his father’s nose like a skinned animal pinned to his face with the shiny metallic tackheads of his eyes, his mother a shapeless sack of organs with a howling withered skull stuck atop it." ---T.C. Boyle

"He had the complexion of baba ghanoush." ---Marisha Pessl

" ... a visage of absolutely uncompromising vapidity and bloodlessness; a face like the belly of a toad." ---Will Self

Got inspiration?

Inspiration for a Lifetime by Allen Klein

by Desiree
(Oakland, CA, USA)

Allen Klein

Any average person enduring the stresses of life should pick up a copy of Inspiration for a Lifetime: Words of Wisdom, Delight, and Possibility. Author Allen Klein has definitely found the essence of uplifting encouragement and put it into written form.

Conveniently bound within Allen's book are words of wisdom, stirring quotes, witty quips and "power-thoughts" from a range of figures such as Oscar Wilde to Dolly Parton, Bob Dylan to Jane Austen, and Oprah Winfrey to Jerry Seinfield. For even more convenience, each quote is listed under a stress-related theme – work, spouses, money, etc.

Overall, Klein’s book offers well-needed inspiration in a stressed world.

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When it is $200 an hour, you want to get true benefit

9 Ways to Make the Most Out of Therapy

By MARGARITA TARTAKOVSKY, M.S.

Therapy can be tricky. Before even walking in the door for their first appointment, many people already have a variety of preconceived notions. And these beliefs can become blocks in treatment, interfering with the therapeutic process.

Below two seasoned psychologists debunk common myths aboutpsychotherapy and offer pointers on making the most out of therapy.

Misconceptions and Concerns About Psychotherapy

According to Ryan Howes, Ph.D, psychologist, writer and professor in Pasadena, California, “Some clients expect their therapists to give them direct advice, telling them who to date and what to study and when to break up.” It’s easy to think this way considering that TV therapists dole out advice without hesitation. “But most therapists resist giving advice because they believe it’s better for the client to learn to solve their own problems,” he says.

Clients also worry about what others will think. They wonder what’ll happen if their co-workers or friends find out they’re going to therapy. They might automatically assume others will think they’re “weak, flawed [or] crazy,” comments Chicago psychologist and life coach John Duffy, Ph.D. In reality, though, “More often than not, people tend to be very supportive,” he says. Plus, it’s up to you who you tell about your therapy, and confidentiality laws protect your privacy.

The therapy process itself can get confusing. According to Duffy, people might have questions like: “Is it brainwashing? Will it change my personality? What if focusing on my problems will make them worse, not better?”

These myths and concerns stem from various sources, including therapists themselves. Howes says: “…no two therapies/therapists are alike, the media does a lousy job of portraying realistic therapy, many people are still too ashamed to talk about it and therapists don’t always do a good job of teaching clients the best ways to get the most from their therapy.”

How to Make the Most of Therapy

1. Do your homework.

Be a discerning consumer by doing your research. Therapists “have different approaches, and come from different schools of thought,” Duffy says. For instance, you might learn the differences between treatment approaches, such as cognitive-behavioraltherapy and psychodynamic therapy, he says.

2. Ask for referrals.

“It is difficult to determine on paper or via a website who will work for you,” Duffy says, “So ask around.”

3. Consider expertise.

“If you are seeking a therapist for a teenager, for instance, you probably want to avoid the therapist who focuses on couples work,” Duffy explains. Similarly, if you know your diagnosis, see someone who specializes in that disorder.

4. Be open to change and the process.

Change is hard. And it’s a pivotal part of therapy. As Duffy says, “By definition, therapy is a change process, and it will and should foster a bit of discomfort. This is not a bad thing.”

Engaging fully in therapy increases the chances of its effectiveness, he says. Think of it this way: “In order to get a different result, you’ll probably need to try a different approach,” Howes says.

So trust the process. “Some of the techniques therapists use — like the empty chair, reflective listening and thought stopping — can seem corny at first, but many people find them effective.” And keep in mind that some issues will require bigger changes than you initially thought, he adds.

5. Limit the process.

Another way to foster change is to remember that the therapeutic process doesn’t go on forever. “That is, if we think therapy has no end, we may put off the changes we want and need to make. If we know we’re working together for about 6, or 12 or even 20 weeks, that timing provides a context for us to think about and enact change,” Duffy says.

6. Make therapy part of your life.

Many people expect change to happen from an hour a week at the therapist’s office, Duffy points out. But “…in order for the process to foster real change, a great deal of the work has to take place outside of the therapy room.”

This “might range from a simple meditation to a significant change in work habits to ending a dysfunctional relationship.”

In other words, “Therapy is one of those ‘you get out of it what you put into it’ activities,” Howes says. He suggests “Keep a journal, show up to appointments on time, read books about your issue, do your homework and dive in.”

The key, Duffy says, is to hold yourself accountable for this outside work.

7. Be brutally honest.

For instance, whether you have positive or negative feelings about your therapist, don’t be afraid to bring them up, Howes says. In fact, “…this sort of discussion can provide some of the best results therapy has to offer.”

Consequently, he says, “Whether you’re talking about yourself, your past, your ‘craziest’ thoughts or the relationship with the therapist, brutal honesty is the quickest route to results.”

8. Realize that “things can get worse before they get better,” Howes says.

“After a few sessions of poking around in a person’s psyche, we’ve opened several cans of worms and it can feel overwhelming,” he says. It’s not uncommon that “…people come in to work on one problem and soon realize they have four.”

9. Talk about challenges regarding therapy.

Therapy requires resources, namely time and money, which as Howes says, “are increasingly hard to come by.” Also, some people might not have access to community resources or a good support system. Then there are also what Howes refers to as “backseat drivers,” “well-meaning loved ones who try to tell [clients] what to talk about in therapy, ask a million questions about it or even poke fun at them for being in therapy.”

Many clients don’t bring up these issues to their therapists. Instead, they might suddenly stop therapy or keep getting stressed out. Howes emphasizes the importance of talking to your therapist about these concerns, because together you can brainstorm solutions.

In general, therapy offers many benefits, whether you’re struggling with mental illness, a difficult life transition or other concerns. According to Howes, therapy is an opportunity “to try new things. It’s a place for thinkers to try feeling, busy people to practice slowing down, non-confrontational people to be assertive, people pleasers to practice thinking only about themselves, and cut-and-run people to learn the art of a healthy goodbye.”

He concludes, “It’s like taking a college course where you are the topic. Make the most of it!”

Are you a parent? Go ahead and Bb a radical optimist!

Teen parenting expert John Duffy offers The Available Parent: Radical Optimism for Raising Teens and Tweens (Cleis Press/Viva Editions), encouraging parents to be accessible and approachable but not pushy. Says associate publisher Brenda Knight, "Many of today's moms and dads are ‘helicopter parents' who hover, coddle, and overparent. We're hopeful that we can usher in a new era of appropriate parenting."

Download : 9781573446570.tif Begin to parent teens and tweens in ways that truly work

The Available Parent Radical Optimism for Raising Teens and Tweens John Duffy Foreword by Thomas Phelan, Ph.D. The author is a top teen therapist now offering his expertise and teen-tested "radical optimism" in book form for the first time He has also served as a parenting and relationship expert on a number of radio programs Some parents have a tendency today to over-parent, micro-manage, and under-appreciate their adolescents. The Available Parent shows readers how they can begin to enjoy a healthy, satisfying, exciting new kind of relationship with their teenagers. The available parent of a teenager offers discussion, advice, and problem-solving, but not insisting on it. He or she allows the child to make some mistakes and sets limits, primarily where health and safety are concerned. The available parent never lectures and is available but not controlling, is self-aware, and keeps his or her own emotions in check. The available parent is fun and funny and can bring levity to the most stressful situation. All of that is to say, there are no conditions to his or her availability. With The Available Parent everyone breathes easier as a 13th birthday approaches. "Dr. John Duffy's fresh new concept of availability in parenting is an idea that meets the moment. His blend of practical ideas and colorful examples delivers great insights. Most importantly, I am a better parent thanks to this book." — Eric Langshur, coauthor of We Carry Each Other John Duffy is a clinical psychologist and certified life coach with ten years of experience in a thriving private practice. He works with both teens and adults and specializes in helping parents maximize satisfaction and minimize conflict in their relationships with their teenagers. He lives in Chicago.

Viva la moms who make a difference!

Moms Making the World Better March 9, 2011 At Viva Editions, our authors are "being the change they want to see in the world," and in many cases, these vivacious folks are hardworking mothers! We salute these moms who make a difference and their books that are filled with "encouraging words." Take advantage of our Buy 3, get 1 free offer for these special titles. Enter code MOMSBUY3 at checkout to redeem this offer by March 31, 2011. And check out the links below to see what others have to say about these amazing moms! The Courage Companion How to Live Life with True Power by Nina Lesowitz Undaunted mother of two, Nina Lesowitz shares stories of fearless living from her book The Courage Companion. Therapy Soup Cake Mom Blog More · Buy Fix It, Make It, Grow It, Bake It The D.I.Y. Guide to the Good Life by Billee Sharp A thrifty do-it-yourselfer and mother of two sons, Billee Sharp braved the economic downturn by starting her own eco-cleaning business. In Fix It, Make It, Grow It, Bake It, you can learn how to same money AND the planet! Celebrating the Wonderful Things Women Do Blog More · Buy It's Never Too Late to Be What You Might Have Been by BJ Gallagher Author mom BJ Gallagher inspires people with her sheer smarts and positivity. BJ is a great example of moxie and self-belief, and makes it clear to us all that we can dream big, no matter what! The Drunkken Art of Living Blog More · Buy Help! My Baby Came Without Instructions How to Survive (and Enjoy) Your Baby's First Year by Blythe Lipman Saviour of moms, Blythe Lipman is a wise woman who dishes out the world's best advice to new parents every day. Check it out and pass it on! Baby Instructons 4 U Videos NJ.com Interview More · Buy