Boise is a fairly literary community. I know, I know… like a good majority of the country, you might equate Idaho with such things as potatoes and skinheads. But wait, there’s more! As in Margaret Atwood came to Boise State University last week as part of their distinguished lecture series. What’s not to like? Free parking, no tickets required, and a literary rock star known near and far for her novels, poetry, children’s literature, and nonfiction. Sign me up already.
Upwards of 1,400 people packed the Jordan Ballroom to hear Margaret Atwood deliver a talk titled “Expression and the Power of Words.” Before starting into the topic, reference was made to her legion of Twitter followers. This pleased me to no end as I made a point to send her a tweet the day before. And she tweeted back to me! A mere blip in the fast and furious pace that is Twitter, but words directed at me from her nonetheless. I’ve since memorialized that short exchange in the screenshot below.
The lecture started off with some humorous jabs at the recent controversy caused by the Clean Reader app. Thanks to this app, readers can decide if they want their books clean, cleaner, or squeaky clean. Margaret Atwood pointed out the unintended humorous effects the app could cause like chicken breasts becoming chicken chests, or a child suckling a breast would now be suckling a chest. Such apps disregard an author’s intended effect. Their existence raise questions as to who owns a piece of writing and who has the authority to change the text.
The set-up led to a reading from a passage from Faust where the title character is speaking with Mephistopheles. The author read both passages complete with her hand cupped to the microphone to achieve a voice-of-doom. As you can imagine, the effect just wasn’t quite the same when damn became darn and hell became heck. Yet, such is the world we live in where so many are offended by such words. Many would say language is secondary to story, but words are a writer’s tools. When chosen carefully words can convey a particular tone, characterization, or shade of thought that squeaky clean language simply cannot.
She managed to mix irreverence with a good dose of seriousness. When it came to tidbits about her writing process, she mentioned giving a draft of Oryx and Krake to a couple of teenage boys to read. The boys gave pointers about joints as well as noting, “Nobody says ‘what in the fuck,’ your character needs to say ‘what the fuck.'” And there you have it folks, Margaret Atwood is not afraid to drop an f-bomb in the middle of a distinguished lecture. All the better to prove the point of her speech, I say.
Words are coined on a regular basis or re-purposed. The fashion industry used the word taupe in the 1930s–after all nobody wants to buy the same shade year after year, so why not pick a similar one with a different name to help buyers feel they are getting something new and trendy? The downside comes when we have fewer words at our disposal because if we don’t have the right words, our thoughts are limited to the words on hand. Yes, we will always have emotions, but it’s the power of words that allows us to capture so many shades of meaning. George Orwell more than anyone foresaw the twisting of language to achieve political ends as well as a tool for shutting down thoughts.
What makes a story stand the test of time? That is anybody’s best guess, but Margaret Atwood is the first author chosen to contribute a text to the Future Library in Oslo, Norway. In 2114, the manuscripts will be printed on the paper made from trees specifically planted for the project. What will readers make of a text written a hundred years ago? Will her words still convey the intended effect?
Tweet This
Are you a fan of Atwood’s work? What makes you believe in the power of words?
The author photo used in this post is for promotional purposes only and complies with fair use guidelines.
That must have been such a special experience for you. She sounds like someone we could all feel comfortable around and relate to. Sometimes an f-bomb is needed. I say go for it if it’s appropriate. I would love to be the fly-in-the-wall when that package is opened in 2114.
Cheryl, it’s just crazy to think that the people who will read Atwood’s contribution to the Free Library haven’t even been born yet.
1. Attwood. Rocks.
2. I used to be obsessed.
3. Adore Cat’s Eye & Alias Grace.
4. She texted you back! WOW.
5. I love that she let some young boys read her manuscript. What a superb way to find the proper voice.
6. GREAT POST.
xxx
Kim, yep I agree with all six of your points, but mostly the first one: Atwood. Rocks. Hell yeah…
What a great experience to see and hear Margaret Atwood (and to tweet with her!). I saw her here at a local university campus several years ago, and indeed she was very entertaining with her razor-sharp wit. She even sang 😉
I read The Handmaid’s Tale back in the late 80s. It gave me chills and I wanted to believe that our society would never de-evolve to that point. Unfortunately, the times seem to be more like The Handmaid’s Tale with each passing day.
But my favorite Atwood book is Alias Grace. It’s a wonderful but sad story. One that I would like to reread.
Marie, I am jealous. She didn’t sing for the Boise audience but she did recite the opening lines of Chaucer’s Miller’s Tale in middle English. I love the Handmaid’s tale too, but have not read Alias Grace. Now I want to read all of her novels. Just need to make the time!
Words do have a unique power as this post clearly illustrates. They can be twisted and turned to produce various effects…Isn’t that amazing?
It is a privilege to be connected with wonderful writers and speakers and the best part seems to be the power of wit… to make a joke out of cleaner app…quite interesting!
I haven’t read Atwood but would keep her in mind, I am adding her to my book list.
Thanks Jeri, I enjoyed reading your reflections about this speaker.
Balroop, you simply must read Atwood. She is superb.
Yes, I’m a Margaret Atwood fan too. I’ve read and loved most of her works. What a good idea to have her words critiqued by people of the same demographic as the ones she creates.
How funny that the cleaner app makes silly suggestions.
I wish I could have gone to hear her talk.
Beth, I was pretty impressed too that she had teenage boys give her feedback. Just another proof of what a thoughtful writer she is to seek advice on authenticity straight from the source.
Hi Jeri, loved this post. First off the potatoes and skinheads comment have me a good chuckle this morning.. Mainly because it’s true I think for most people that’s all they picture. Ahh but we know better. :).
And Margaret Atwood how exciting a) for her to be there and to get to hear her speak and b) she tweeted you back?! How cool is that?
Pretty awesome that she is so down to earth and relatable she’ll drop the f-bomb in her speech. Lol
The Clean Reader app sounds like auto correct on a cell phone. When it’s through you have a bunch of gibberish, and while it IS words, it makes no sense at times and is not what you intended at all. we’ve all had that happen. 🙂
Susan, Margaret Atwood also pointed out a good number of Boise people were like, “Why would you come to Boise?” She said we needed to give ourselves more credit. I agree. But the world just misunderstands Idaho!
How awesome you made it there Jeri, and amazing she replied to your tweet. That’s a keeper! Sounds like a great focus for a lecture, though no sure why she was okay with the Fbomb but used heck instead of hell. Words really do make a difference, and it’s the subtle innuendos that make a writer great rather than ‘meh’. That’s in part what I love about Atwood, is that she tends to use simple language, but it’s her chosen combination that make her work so good. Of course she has an awesome imagination too. I’ve been wanting to re-read Oryx & Crake for ages. Now I’m inspired. Thanks so much for sharing your experience.
A. K., Oryx and Krake is currently $2.99 on Amazon as a Book Riot special deal. You should check it out. I downloaded it last night.
What a great experience! Not all writers are great speakers but it sounds like Atwood has her s**t together!
Jan, yes Atwood does indeed have her shit together 🙂 I was looking over her list of public speaking engagements on her website, and it would seem she is in high demand. Go figure. What impressed me the most is how she’s just one of those people who open their mouths and it’s so apparent how smart and clever and observant and GOOD they are at just being human.
What a cool evening! And I love that you memorialized your tweet exchange; I’d have done the same. Marie Ann’s mention of Alias Grace made me remember that it’s on my bookshelf, still unread. It has been too long since I read me some Atwood. Did not know about the Future Library. It does make me wonder what the status of our libraries will be in a hundred years. All online lending? Will there still be stacks? Oh, I do hope so.
Laura, I vaguely think I remember someone doing a blog post on the Future Library at some point, but now that I’ve heard Atwood talk about it and have poked around on their website, I am definitely more than intrigued.
There is a big difference in the saying of words. Gone with the Wind, was such a scandalous book because of the use of the word dam, and its portrayal of race.
I do know that the pendulum of words swings back and forth. There will be a time where using specific words is considered appropriate, and then a few years later it is frowned upon.
William, good point in how attitudes toward language use change over time. Things now have swung so far from the right that I am anticipating when society will loosen up about language, but it may be a long wait…
I have had a similar giddy exchange with an author I found particularly approachable and famous. When she wrote back I was stunned and have that email saved. Her discussion on the app to clean up language is a good one; the app on the other hand is a little ridiculous. I completely that even if we or our characters on the whole are squeaky clean by design they become more so by the introduction of some one less squeaky clean and isn’t that the point of an f-bomb here and there; attention.
Tim, exactly. A well-placed curse word can be worth it’s weight in gold when it comes to garnering attention. I remember too back in the days of MySpace when I contacted Gregg Olsen. He wrote a book about the Sunshine mining disaster titled The Deep Dark. I wrote to tell him he captured the miners of my hometown in just the right way. His response was that’s when a writer knows they’ve got something right, when a local agrees with their portrayal.
There are so many interesting things about this article, I don’t know where to start! The future library concept is a new one to me, and very intriguing. And I love your quote “Many would say language is secondary to story, but words are a writer’s tools.” Margaret Atwood sounds like a great speaker!
Meredith, I’m thinking it might be worthwhile to write a post on the Future Library at some point.
I had not heard of the Cleaner Reader app. While I don’t like swear words used gratuitously, they are often essential to communicate the raw feeling of the moment. “Darn,” doesn’t do it as well as “Shit.” Same as “fudge” instead of “fuck.” I guess some people are just overly sensitive. But I find it scary that many schools are cleansing their textbooks of anything even remotely offensive.
Jeannette, the urge to make texts “clean” is one of the driving factors behind my desire to leave the classroom. A large appeal for me in teaching literature was the ability to dig into life’s issues via a text, but since everything might potentially offend somebody, it’s hard to go beyond the most basic of questions at times.
The lecture sounds fantastic. I’ve heard Margaret Atwood interviewed on radio and television and she is always entertaining. It would be great to see her in person. And her use of Twitter could be a model for authors everywhere!
Donna, plus she’s a fellow Canadian, eh? It’s just great how readily she’s taken to Twitter. It just goes to show social media isn’t for an age, but of the ages!
Sounds like you had a fabulous experience with one of my all-time favorite authors!
Candy, her lecture was great. I really need to go to more author talks. They always leave me so invigorated and make me fall in love with the writing craft all over again 😉
I admit it, I’m green with envy. The only notables who ever come to Maui are movie or rock stars. It sounds like this was such a special event and the very next thing I’m going to do is jump over to Twitter and follow Ms. Atwood!
Marquita, Maui must admittedly be off the beaten path for literary visitors. Alas, movies and rock stars are nice as well!
Never heard of the clean reader app. Who in the world wanted that? Next thing you know they will be developing apps to change the word evolution to creation.
Ken, precisely. It’s a dangerous world when people think they can make such sweeping changes to an author’s words. Thankfully, many authors demanded their work be pulled from Clean Reader. The coming of such apps raises a whole new can of worms when it comes to censorship.
I enjoyed the chicken breast-chest replacement. *Giggles* She definitely is a great speaker.
Out of curiosity, I googled clean reader app. I am still not able to understand why an app like this is required.
Ajay, the Clean Reader app provides a way to change offensive words in text to supposedly less offensive ones, though as with the chicken beast-chest example, the results are sometimes dreadful. The app has raised quite a stir over who has the right to change a text.
Thanks for sharing a bit of Atwood’s talk in this post. I’ve read all her early works–what a sharp, talented and thoughtful writer. She inspired much of my early feminist sensibilities. Love her wit too.
Jagoda, it’s probably safe to say Margaret Atwood shaped many of my early feminist sensibilities as well.
Jeri, you must have been thrilled when Margaret Atwood tweeted you back. Definitely something to hang onto. You presented a great view of her, one that makes her very likable. You tend to think that famous people, and there is no doubt she is, are more stand-offish.
I would love to get the app – wouldn’t it be fun to play around with. It could give you a whole lot of chuckles.
Lenie, Atwood comes across as very approachable though I think her wit would give most people a run for their money in casual conversation.
I’m so happy for you (and completely jealous) that you saw her speak. And thanks for sharing the experience with the rest of us. When I first heard of Clean Reader I had to laugh. Most authors I know agonize over every word and each word has its purpose. Changing some of the words may not be a big deal, but her examples show how crazy it can be.
TB, for her to open with examples from the Clean Reader app just does to show how with-it Margaret Atwood is when it comes to all things social media. Her talk showed just far-reaching and all-encompassing the power of words truly can be given all the contexts they exist to be interpreted within.
Hi, I have never heard of her but she seems laid back and doesnt take herself too seriously. I like that. I love that it was a free seminar. Sometimes we have free seminars for authors here to. when i lived in Arizona they where hard to come by. That is awesome that she tweeted you back. Great post! 🙂
Crystal, you simply must give Atwoods works a try. I think you would really like her writing. I can imagine Nashville must be full of great opportunities to hear visiting authors speak, not to mention the more obvious draws of Music City USA.
What a geat short-story title “Margaret Atwood Tweeted Me Back”… and I think you could write it. I envy the experience, but I am so glad that you lived it and shared it with us. I can’t think of anything more “cool” on the planet!!!! I frequently drop the f-bomb in what some would call inappropriate places, so I love that she does too. Makes it so much more acceptable, yes?? At least it keeps them awake:)
Jacquie, haha there’s definitely nothing better than an f-bomb to keep readers and listeners awake. The beauty of her talk was how she touched on such deep issues but was able to keep the humor going throughout. It’s no small feat, but she made it look so effortless.
Jeri- I have traveled all over the United States and I can’t say I have been to Boise and when I do think about the State, I just think about potatoes. That is not a bad thing because at least they have something they are noted for and who doesn’t like potatoes. I have never hear of the cleaner reader app., but as Jobs always said, there is an app for that so I should not be surprised. My daughter uses a word that works “Fuggly”, without saying that it is fucking ugly. Just like the song in “My Fair Lady”., “Show Me”
Arleen, is really is amazing how apps can be made to fit almost any purpose. I’m happy though that the Clean Reader app experienced such a huge amount of backlash. Its negative reception is a great way to foster conversation about freedom of speech and censorship.
She sounds very interesting. I’ll admit that I’ve never read anything by her. This will have to change.
“Many would say language is secondary to story, but words are a writer’s tools.” This should be a tagline somewhere. I never heard of such an app. I don’t know why this surprises me. In my opinion, anyone, even an app, who changes another persons words is committing an illegal act. What is the point of copyright if anyone can change an author’s words for their own offended means.
Denise, then you simply must make space for Atwood on your TBR list. She is phenomenal.
Jeri I am so envious! I think I would give my right -cough- chest to see Margaret Atwood live, especially as her lecture sounds superb. With authors like her shaming the wowsers, hopefully a certain app will fade into the woodwork where it belongs. 🙂
A.C., yes Atwood truly was phenomenal. Even better too that she brought attention to the Clean Reader app. For those of us who follow reading and writing blogs on a regular basis, it may not have been new news, but I’m sure her mention of it to a more general audience is helping bring much needed attention to the issue.
It sounded like it was super packed. I didn’t get to go, but my buddy showed up early and got a decent seat. He said people just kept coming and coming. He also said someone asked for the equivalent of life counseling and her response was that she didn’t know them and there wasn’t enough time. It made my friend chuckle.
I’m glad you got to go, and that you enjoyed the conference.
Loni, yeah I just barely found a place to sit, but lucked out since I was there solo. Of course I was bummed that the audience was asked not to take pictures. I remember her response to that question as well. In fact, she did a great job of offering really concise answers to every question she was asked. Sometimes, speakers will ramble a bit, but not Atwood.
How nice, Jeri. Glad she tweeted you back. It’s so nice when someone well known takes the time to do so. The amount of goodwill she gets must be incredible.
Catarina, her tweet definitely started my morning off right 🙂
Jeri!! I’m like over the moon here living through your post!! Wowowo! You even got to tweet with her?! I’m so happy you got these experiences with the marvelous Margaret Atwood 🙂 Thank you for sharing about it as you know I was wondering. I am a huge fan of hers and adore both her personal endeavors as well as her professional ones. HUGS and big smiles! (yes, slightly excited to have found the Margaret Atwood post)
Christy, yay! I’m glad to share her lecture with you. She’s truly remarkable in so many ways.
Hi there dear Jeri!…
What an extraordinary experience…. And those Twitter exchanges…. Excellent…
I admire Arwood’s work and your thoughts as to her Conference here validate my previous views, somehow.
I liked the way she immortalized Goethe’s words in her reading, with that
As to your insights on this post, I found this excerpt truly eloquent:
“Words are coined on a regular basis or re-purposed. The downside comes when we have fewer words at our disposal because if we don’t have the right words, our thoughts are limited to the words on hand. Yes, we will always have emotions, but it’s the power of words that allows us to capture so many shades of meaning”…
You reminded me of a poem by Nobel Prize Octavio Paz called Decir Hacer (To say, to do) in which he says: “Poetry is said and heard: it is real. And as soon as I say is real, it dissipates. Thus It is more real?”
Thanks for the beautiful post!!!… All my best wishes Aquileana 😀
Aqui, glad you enjoyed this post. Words really are such powerful things. I used to tell my students that all the time. Hopefully I made believers out of a few of them.
Jeri, how wonderful to hear a lecture by Margaret Atwood! So glad you related well to her topic. Even better are the tweets that you shared.
Leora, quite a few lecturers come through BSU. I need to make a point to get out and see more of them.
I just had a discussion with a friend about words and language. I’ve noticed people don’t use words to describe or explain themselves or situations. I hear one word responses such as, “that’s crazy” and “right?” instead of descriptive sentences. I believe we’re going to begin speaking in hashtags before too long. Very scary…right? When I read about things like “Clean App” I think, ” Well here is another example of our de-evolution”.
Pamela, actually I cringe at times when I see some of my former students do status updates and they contain mostly hashtags 🙁 The trend is already taking hold!
I can understand that it must be a great experience to see and listen to Margaret Atwood. I was amazed to know that her work will be printed on special tree paper that are planted. What it will be like, we have to wait and see.
Great that she sent you reply. Hopefully you have learnt a lot by listening to her.
Andleeb, the whole idea of the Future Library is quite fascinating. It’s too bad none of us will be around to see it come to fruition. Such long-sighted projects show how much hope some people still hold for humankind.
A brief twitter exchange with someone you admire is true reason to be excited. I’ve never had it happen yet, but if I did, I would definitely be adding it to my blog.
As far as an app goes to clean up the language in a book, I think anybody offended by the word breast might as well have to be subjected to reading about someone eating a chicken chest. Just my opinion on the matter.
Erica, I totally agree. It serves advocates such an app like Clean Reader right to have to be subjected to the apps hideous substitutions.
With the changes in technology being as fast as they are, I wonder if anyone will know how to run the printing press 100 years from now or if they will even know what it is. Kinda makes you wonder what the future might hold.
Jon, I think there will always be people who keep the older printing methods alive, but it will become ever more scarce.
Oooooh!!! How fun was that? I love Margaret Atwood. As a commenter said above, The Handmaid’s Tale was chilling, and is even more so the way things are trending now.
It’s so COOL you got to see her–and I love that she mentioned the dastardly app. Backlash=good.
DV, I was quite pleased Atwood mentioned the app because I could watch heads turn to their neighbor in the audience and ask if they knew that it was.
I would love to hear Margaret Atwood talk. She’s amazing.
Rita, it really was amazing to hear Atwood speak, not to mention I know have added more of her books to my TBR list.