Comments on: Write What You Mean

By: Susan Hart

Susan Hart — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:13:36 +0000

Interesting insights, Ellyn. Thanks for commenting, and Happy New Year!

By: Ellyn

Ellyn — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:27:32 +0000

Living with a younger brother and a father who both have Aspergers Syndrome, I am frequently dealing with their TWTOL. My brother often describes himself as a computer—whatever you tell them, they will do. Computers have no sense of sarcasm or metaphor. This isn’t to say that Aspys can’t learn sarcasm and metaphor, but it is very much a learned thing.
So it’s interesting to hear about it from someone else, I suppose. I think some of their literal-mindedness has rubbed off on me, though. I hada very similar experience to you—while walking through the mall in Hobart, I saw a sign saying “Watch batteries while you wait.” I burst out laughing, pointed to it, and said to my mother “Who on earth would want to watch batteries? What kind of weird advertising is that?”
I haven’t heard the end of it yet, and I don’t think I will for a while.

There is definitely something to be said for writing exactly what you mean. As the Elements of Style so wisely says: “Be obscure clearly! Be wild of tongue in a way we can understand!” Quite often, when people employ a metaphor or age-old phrase, they are unaware of exactly what the words they use mean. In the case of metaphor, there is a danger of getting so caught up in the surreal symbolicness of it all that they will forget the story.

There is a place for metaphor and simile—the world of books would be far poorer without them—but they are the herbs and spices to the meaty goodness of the story.

By: Matt Herron

Matt Herron — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:51:02 +0000

Someone has GOT to explain where that O comes from.

By: Susan Hart

Susan Hart — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:58:58 +0000

Another example of TWTOL today. I was researching recipes for gingerbread men, and saw this statement:

Commercial gingerbread cookies are often hard, dark and have a strong taste for children.

So gingerbread cookies are particularly fond of eating children?? My TWTOL never ends! Happy Holidays to all!

By: Susan Hart

Susan Hart — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:31:27 +0000

I’m so glad I’m not the only one! Thanks!

By: Traci

Traci — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 01:13:26 +0000

You just described me perfectly!

By: Susan Hart

Susan Hart — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:49:12 +0000

Insightful point. Thanks for commenting!

By: Matt Herron

Matt Herron — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:45:37 +0000

Of course you should interpret words in their most literal definition. As Ayn Rand wrote in Atlas Shrugged: “You ought to discover that words have an exact meaning”. So it is not the reader’s fault if they misinterpret something, but rather the writer’s fault for not writing clearly.

Speaking of clarity, where does the O come from in TWTOL??

By: Susan Hart

Susan Hart — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:16:20 +0000

Excellent point about lack of clarity. Sometimes you go with the “when in Rome” strategy, and other times, you should stick with your own culture. A friend recently shared with me that her visit to Mexico included a lot of dining out, and she would say something to the waiter when she was ready to order. She thought she was saying “I’m ready”, but what she was really saying was “I’m smart”. Sometimes gestures can be universally translated.

By: Brandon Cox

Brandon Cox — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:50:57 +0000

That’s a pretty funny way to present a rather real truth. I think it’s especially true in a globalized culture. Our lack of clarity may really present a problem for people in a different culture altogether.

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:36:50 +0000

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