JANUARY 2010 VOLUME 29 NUMBER 1 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE IN DE PEND ENT WRITERS OF CHICAGO EARS Stet

30 Y JANUARY MEETING FOR

Introducing : The Short of the Long of Lit

BY DAVID EPSTEIN

f you never could get eration? And what, to give (or, in Tweetish, #s—wch

OMMUNITIES through the reading this a bit more focus, best savs 4 chars). Aciman and lists in college … If you expresses the souls of 21st Rensin blended with

C I really want to clear five feet century Americans?” the Grt Wrks of Wrld Lit of dusty shelf space, but you Here’s and lo—they brought forth can’t bear to dump your a less Twitterature! Great Books set until you’ve exalted sce- An inspiration to more read them all … If you want nario: Two verbose to discover a creative short- University scribblers, cut to writing a best seller of Chicago Aciman and

ATIONWIDE … Then you simply must sophomores Rensin have not miss IWOC’s January 12 Rensin are sitting in captured the N meeting, which will be the their dorm essence of very first stop on our speak- suite near midnight, after a the classics

AND ers’ national book tour. grueling all-day study ses- Aciman in one 224- Alexander Aciman and sion. Finals start in two days, pg papbk Emmett Rensin, coauthors and their room is stacked (jst pub by Penguin on Dec of the just-released (in the floor to ceiling with thick 29)—at a mere 20 Tweets per U.S.) Twitterature: The World’s unread tomes of the world’s book. And all while master- Greatest Books Now Presented greatest literature. They ing demanding courses at In Twenty Tweets Or Less, will ask themselves: If verbose the University of Chicago. reveal their writing secrets. writing is so terrible, why You should see their term Their methods are way do great authors go on and papers—so quick’n’easy for

HICAGOLAND more useful for writers than on—and on? their profs to grade! speed-reading and short- Like, instead of beat- Twitterature beats Reader’s C hand combined. ing around the bush, why Digest Condensed Books According to Aciman didn’t Dante just say, “I’m all hollow. Using narrative and Rensin, this is how havin’ a midlife crisis. Lost nanotechnology, more than Twitterature was born: in the woods. Shoulda 80 of the greatest heroes, vil- “Like any good revolution, brought my iPhone.” Why ERVING lains, and victims of western this one started in a college didn’t Milton’s Lucifer come literature—from Beowulf to S dormitory. Sitting in our straight to the point with: Virginia Wolf, with Kafka’s suite at the end of another “OH MY GOD, I’M IN giant cockroach squashed long day at the University of HELL”? And as for Virgil, in between—each shrink Chicago, we had an epipha- “Well, yeah, Rome coulda their stories into a series ny of the sort that many men been built in a day, but first, of 140-character tweets. wait for until their golden lemme tell ya … “ English teachers often praise years, and which for too Enter Twitter—the free Hemingway’s concise style, many others never comes web forum where we can but see how Aciman and before the grave. What, broadcast our deepest earth- Rensin have scaled down we asked, are the grandest shattering insights in <=

ventures of our or any gen- 140 chars incldng spaces Continued on page 5. Independent Writers of Chicago Officers PRESIDENT’S COLUMN/ROGER RUEFF President: Roger Rueff 630/428-3857 [email protected] Executive Vice President: Catherine Rategan 312/266-8146 Treasurer: Special Relativity Barbara Dillard 312/642-3065 Secretary: Jennifer Lyng 773/769-5291 Parliamentarian: Harry Karabel 219/921-0877 very year about this stitutes your entire life. On miles from my house instead Board of Directors time, I find myself your second birthday, how- of on an isolated highway Charles Coffin 847/674-2906 E thinking, “Where did ever, it’s only half of your in Georgia or in the middle David Epstein 708/567-9705 that last year go? I turned life—so it seems shorter. of an Indiana snowstorm. Jim Hodl 773/777-5710 around and schwoop! It was Your third year spans merely The fact that I got to ring Joen Kinnan 708/366-8573 Danielle Schultz 847/864-2761 gone.” And every year, the a third of your life, and when in the new year with 14 feeling is slightly stronger you pass 50, each year is less good friends on the eastern Committees than it was the year before… than two percent of your shore of Lake Michigan Directory: and the one before that… life… which feels like not and to christen it with a Chair open. and before that. The years fly very much. champagne-laced kiss from Marketing: by, and the older I get, the It’s a good, sound theory my lovely fiancée. A recent Cathy Dusberger 312/382-1808 chair faster their wings seem to that makes as much uptick in writing work that Tom McCauley 224/636-7713 flap. I prefer to sense to might be a good and hope- Publicity: Michelle Beuscher 773/478-6778 chair take the me filled omen for 2010. Katherine Mikkelson 847/253-3681 positive now The year-ahead things Laura Stigler 773/248-0158 tack and as it have mostly to do with the Membership: assume did knowns of what’s on tap for Chair open. they’re 2010. The tour of my play in Jeff Steele 773/481-0010 Katie Valentino 630/946-9500 migrating Spain. Its opening in Lisbon Programs: to warmer and subsequent tour of Becky Maginn 773/935-8410 chair climes. Portugal. A writing project At the heart that will take me to Brussels Jay Rodriguez 312-515-9459 chair of this annual in the spring and Naples when Jim Kepler end-of-year after that. The premiere of I first Seminars: feeling is the a new play in Florida and Chair open. heard it. issue of time-scale per- another here in Chicagoland. Benefits: Is it true? Who knows? ception—why time seems to My son returning from a Chair open. In a broad sense, it works Writers’ Line: slip by more quickly as we year and a half away to well enough. Someone some- Dianne Rowland 630/834-0209 chair grow older. My first recol- attend college nearby. A where is probably right now Ellen Krupp 815/578-0295 lection of addressing that Cubs season without Milton Karleen McCallester 847/644-2524 penning a doctoral thesis question goes back to fourth Bradley in the outfield. on the matter, but until it’s grade and my science teach- A wedding in October. Web Site: www.iwoc.org published, reviewed, and Joen Kinnan, webmaster er, Mr. Johnson—a friendly, So much to plan on, hope accepted by the scientific [email protected] rational man against whom for, look forward to. So community, I’m sticking with my parents developed a deep much to look back on next Mr. Johnson as my expert. Stet is published 11 times per year grudge when they found out year at this time—as this He seemed ancient enough at by the Independent Writers of that he was teaching my old- year is carried away on the the time to have known what Chicago, PMB 119, 1800 Nations est brother that humans once wings of time. Drive, Suite 117, Gurnee, IL 60031, he was talking about. lived in trees… and I don’t Of course, like the impuri- 847/855-6670. Internet address: www. The other things I think iwoc.org. Copy submissions and mean the ones in the Garden ties in corundum that give about this time of year have advertising materials are due by the of Eden. Mr. Johnson had a sapphires their color, it’s to do with right now and the 15th of the month preceding pub- theory about why the years the unknowns that will ulti- lication. All submissions and ideas year ahead. The right-now seem to pass more quickly mately flavor the year ahead will be considered. The subscription things tend to take the form as we grow older—a theory and leave its final taste in rate of $1 per year is included in the of counted blessings. My annual membership dues. Copyright based on simple fractions. my mouth. Here’s hoping son and his girlfriend driv- ©2009 by Independent Writers of When you reach your first I embrace those, too… and

Chicago. ing safely here from South

birthday, he reasoned, the think of them as gems. Carolina for the holiday—his year that just passed con- Happy New Year. Editor: car breaking down a mere 10 Joen Kinnan Contributors: Dave Epstein, Richard Eastline, Joen Kinnan, Roger Rueff, Don Talend 2 NOVEMBER RECAP Your Website: If You Optimize It, They Will Come

SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION (SEO) TIPS AND TRICKS TO GET TOP BILLING

BY DON TALEND

hen it comes to Why optimize site expo- “crawling” technology seeks ate buzz—and traffic, he helping the uni- sure? Grosspietsch displayed unique combinations of key- said. Press releases should W verse find one’s results from a 2007 survey words in ranking sites, he not begin with pedestrian website, Jim Grosspietsch indicating that SEO provides stressed. phrases such as “Company says don’t settle for second the biggest marketing “bang Grosspietsch urged attend- X is pleased to announce…,” best. At IWOC’s November for the buck.” He pointed ees to avoid using Flash however. Paid press release meeting, out that research indicates animation on their Websites, distribution services such as the presi- that the upper left corner calling it “instant suicide” in PRNewswire are accessible dent of of any Web page draws the regard to SEO. The reason: to numerous news outlets. Barrington most eyeballs—reinforcing search engines look for key- An emerging means marketing the necessity of ensuring that words and Flash animation of attracting more visi- firm The one’s site comes up number loads slowly, potentially tors is using social media, Prairie 1 in search-engine queries. pushing a site with more Grosspietsch pointed out. Studio, Citing other research indi- relevant keywords higher on A Facebook Fan Page or stressed cating that Google has a 60 results lists. However, one Twitter page allows custom- that any website that does percent share of searches on potential SEO-enhancing ers to keep in touch with not top the list of results in the Internet, Grosspietsch trick relevant to site graphics one’s business and links a Google search might as urged attendees to focus is labeling embedded files to one’s site. Creating a well not exist. Grosspietsch on claiming the top spot in and images with descriptive LinkedIn public page boosts offered attendees a list of Google searches in particular. keywords—Grosspietsch awareness of the business, search engine optimization How can Web devel- noted that Google even and it’s possible to link to (SEO) tips and tricks which, opers optimize their site “crawls” these keywords. one’s site using relevant, while seemingly minor, can exposure? For starters, Web developers should descriptive keywords in the provide a huge payoff in the Grosspietsch argued that also use relevant keywords hyperlink. form of site traffic. Google’s proprietary search in hyperlinks that take site Grosspietsch also recom- Grosspietsch pointed out methods rank more highly visitors to other pages; avoid mended periodic evalua- that he previously spent a name that is relevant to pedestrian descriptors such tions of one’s SEO metrics more than 20 years in mar- a given company’s niche. as “Click here,” he said. using tools such as Google keting roles for small, ven- Additionally, he recom- A key tactic for generat- Analytics and Webmaster ture-backed firms—organiza- mended using keywords ing site traffic is to link to Tools. These resources can tions too lean to allow him for page descriptions and relevant websites because reveal the effectiveness of

to outsource functions such avoiding pedestrian labels Google ranks sites with keywords or reveal referring

sites from which visitors are as website development. “I such as “Services.” In cases a relatively high number had to show results in terms where the company owner of “friends” more highly, led to one’s site. of site traffic or I was out of has a preferred geographic Grosspietsch added. He rec- there,” he said. market, include desired cit- ommended linking to other He founded The Prairie ies in page descriptions, sites with keywords that are Studio as a hobby and, he added. Be as specific as relevant to one’s particular Welcome New Members when several of his former possible in describing the type of writing. employers were acquired by company, using “healthcare Getting listed in online Christine Harmon larger firms, former cowork- writer” instead of “writer,” directories is another way ers began calling him for for example. Introductory to generate more site traffic. Sophie Sparks website development advice, text—which should be dis- Grosspietsch suggested get- Carol Weinrich and the hobby turned into played in a sans serif font ting listed in directories such a viable business. In recent that Google reads more eas- as dmoz.org, Google, Yahoo! years, Grosspietsch also ily—should include descrip- and the Yellow Pages. and returning member launched interior design and tive keywords instead of Posting insightful blogs kitchen design firms and has “Welcome to Company X,” and press releases that report generated most sales leads Grosspietsch said. In short, recent company news are Elizabeth Fagan through their websites. Google’s proprietary website other good ways to gener- Adelman

3 The Intrigue and Conflict in Compiling Words

This is yet another review in an irregular series devoted to books and Internet sites that are popularly classified as reference source material.

BY RICHARD L. EASTLINE

Lost for Words (The Hidden History of the Oxford English Dictionary) / Linda Mugglestone / 273 pp. plus preface and acknowledgments / Yale University Press, 2005 / Hard-cover*/ ISBN: 0-300-10699-8

ay attention to the an assembly of knowledge- ended, only then did OED the pages are placed within subtitle to this book. able—often garrulous—men editors feel confident enough the text and (as they are not P It’s more meaningful and women of letters. Issued to predict completion within readable in the reduced-size than the larger, bold-face in installments, the first four to seven years. World images) the hand-written jacket title. Not a book about fascicle (devoted to the War I wiped out that comments become the basis word usage, it’s a low-key letter “A”) appeared in goal. The project’s for Mugglestone’s construc- suspense story about put- 1884 while the final sec- director tion of events. As a matter ting together the contents of tion was not completed and of record, there are 30 pages what is regarded as the pre- until after World War in this book devoted to the eminent English language I, yielding a complete listing of notes that were dictionary. Don’t expect edition in 1928. examined along with the anything along the lines of Begun in 1881, the preserved proofs. the DaVinci Code, with its OED content aged By and large, the action in prin- history-tinged adventure a la during its lengthy this story moves at glacial cipal Indiana Jones. This storytell- gestation and pace. The rewards in reading editor, er, the current editor of The before arriving it come from the recognition James Oxford History of the English at the end of and realization that personal Murray, Language (and with a formi- the alphabet, beliefs as well as upbring- who had dable last name that echoes it became ing will color the judgment devoted a Harry Potter tale), prefers apparent that of even those most learned decades to to relate an event that tickles many new of scholars who profess to producing the brain. words had an objective stance. Their the diction- When we think of the come into exis- quirks in personality and ary, died in learning institutions in tence as well as expand- the adroit proclamations of 1915. It was England, we link Oxford and ed definitions of words opinion provide the insights not until April 1928 Cambridge with the passing that were included in the into the efforts of compiling that the final installment of centuries, rich in scholar- previously released install- definition and pronuncia- reached its conclusion. At ship and academic lore. So, ments. The solution was to tion for thousands of words. that point, the editors and it may be surprising to learn issue Supplements to the First What seemed the hopeless staff had produced 15,488 that the first complete edi- Edition and these followed in task of arriving at consensus pages and a tally of 50 mil- tion of the Oxford English more timely succession. ultimately is resolved—the lion words. Dictionary goes back scarcely To exemplify the scope of equivalent of a band of liter- This accomplishment more than three-quarters of a compilation, the letter “P” ary heroes overcoming the

is not told in the conven-

century and a full 100 years consumed 150 hours of one philistine marauders, but tional style of recounting the after publication of the first editor’s time and a single done in passive voice. results of known meetings edition of Noah Webster’s word, “pass,” occupied six- or group discussions, but in American Dictionary of the teen columns of text. the detailed examination of *Note: No specific price was English Language (1828). It Thoroughness was not to personal notes among the shown in the header for this did not spring suddenly be denied. The immensity of participants and especially review because of cost variance from the nurturing fount the project became apparent in the annotations made on among online book vendors, of wisdom at Oxford but as each section eventually the pristine proof sheets. retail sellers of remainders, and rather was the nearly 50-year was completed. As the first Reproductions of some of mail-order establishments. summation of input from decade of the 20th century

4

In Memoriam: Dianne Rowland Calendar

It is with deep sadness that we report the death of longtime member Dianne Rowland. Dianne died in December of nat- January 12 ural causes. Although Dianne had attend- IWOC Monthly Meeting. IWOC is honored to be ed few meetings in recent years—she was the first stop on the book tour for the authors of the visually impaired—we all knew her as a just-released (in the U.S.) Twitterature: The World’s tireless worker for IWOC. She had been Greatest Books Now Presented In Twenty Tweets Writers’ Line chair for the past ten years, Or Less. This promises to be an entertaining pro- and before that she served as a wonderful gram. The meeting will be held at National-Louis Program chair, filling the room for most University, Room 5008, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. meetings. But first and foremost, Dianne Program 6 p.m. Networking 5 p.m. Nonmembers, $15; was a journalist. She graduated from J-school at the U. of I. IWOC members free. Buy-your-own dinner follows. in Urbana and later became a reporter for the Associated Press. She also served as Press Secretary for a Texas congress- Nonmembers welcome. For more information, call man. After she lost her sight at the age of 30, she worked as a 847/855-6670 or visit www.iwoc.org. public relations specialist for the EPA in Chicago. When the Reagan administration came in, she was out—wrong poli- The monthly food and networking get-togethers listed

tics—and she joined the freelance ranks and IWOC. Dianne below meet at the same time and place each month

was vivacious, funny, the telephone’s best friend, and fiercely unless otherwise noted, but call ahead in case of cancella-

political. We will miss her terribly. tion. The groups welcome nonmembers. If there’s no group in your area, why not start one? Contact webmaster@iwoc. org. January Program Continued from page 1. January 28 (4th Thursday) even The Old Man and the Sea short). He is known on occa- IWOOP Monthly Lunch. Join near-west suburbanites sion to enjoy pugilism or a (/ indicates end of a tweet): for a noon lunch at Poor Phil’s, 139 S. Marion St., Oak “I have caught the fish, game of bocce. Park. For more info, call Barb Dillard at 312/642-3065. and he is grand / … / And Rensin is a Huffington Post he is too big for the boat so I contributor, an ordained Check before you come. This lunch is monthly only if will have to pull him / And reverend, and a candidate there are enough people who can attend. the sharks are coming / and for President and/or Vice they are eating the fish / and President in 2008 (and pos- I have returned to Cuba and sibly 2012). He holds office February 4 (1st Thursday) I have nothing to show / and as the Religious Affairs IWORP Monthly Breakfast. Join the Rogers Park the struggle has been valiant Supervisor of The Society for IWOC contingent for breakfast at 9 AM at the A&T but I am unchanged (except the Destruction of the Pacific Grill, 7036 N. Clark St.., Chicago. For more info, call this beard I have grown)/” Ocean. His life goals are Esther Manewith at 773/274-6215. Twitterature provides to pen (or tweet) the Great everything you need to mas- American Novel, master ter world literature, includ- card magic, and invent the ing a glossary of online acro- perfect shaggy-dog joke. You nyms and Twitterary terms can follow them on Twitter and—y’know—whatever. at http://twitter.com/aci- When the book was pub- manandrensin. lished in the UK in October, The meeting will be held reviewers were alternately in Room 5008 at National- amused and appalled—and Louis University, 122 S. also mercifully brief. Michigan Avenue (across It’s Happening on the Web! Like their book, Aciman from the Art Institute) in and Rensin, both 19, have Chicago. Networking with Check Out Writers’ Line crowded a great deal into snacks and beverages begins a short span. They are fre- at 5 p.m., followed by the Browse Resources quent contributors to The program at 6 p.m. The meet- See What’s Doing in IWOC Events Chicago Maroon. Aciman has ing is free for all IWOC published several essays members. Nonmembers pay

in and $15. Plan to stay for a buy- WWW.IWOC.ORG

is a devoted follower of your-own dinner at a nearby Napoleon Bonaparte (who, restaurant afterwards. as is well known, was very 5