December 02, 2004

Brio

Posted by Kieran

Eugene Volokh complains that a recent draft of one his papers is missing something:

Verve. “Energy and enthusiasm in the expression of ideas . . . . Vitality; liveliness.” My writing was the usual lawyerese, flabby and clausy. The substance was getting there (though it still needs a lot of work), but it was missing vigor, concreteness, punch. So I’ve been doing Vervification Edits as part of my substantive editing passes.

“Verve” is a good word for the quality he’s after, but I think “brio” is better, if only because its roots are mostly Italian and those people know how to live it up. In Jonathan Coe’s terrific novel, What a Carve Up (published in the United States as The Winshaw Legacy) the narrator phones in a book review. Its chief complaint is that the book’s author “lacks the necessary brio” to carry off the story. Unfortunately something goes wrong in the transcription and the published version claims that the author “lacks the necessary biro,” instead. Just as debilitating to the writing process, to be sure, but as a critical observation of character perhaps not so incisive.

I’m recovering from a bad cold, so I’ve been feeling a little short of brio myself. I have three papers to draft, a review to write and a book manuscript to revise (I sign the contract this week). So if anyone has any strategies for revivifying oneself, let me know in the comments.

Posted on December 2, 2004 05:30 AM UTC
Comments

I’m not sure what wooden trains have to do with creative writing, but they could be an entertaining occupation while you’re bedridden.

As an alternative to Brio I’d suggest panache, which goes beyond style into something approximating character.

Posted by bad Jim · December 2, 2004 03:17 AM

And here I’d long thought Brio was something for scrubbing dirty pans.

Posted by Matt · December 2, 2004 05:12 AM

I did not get this post at all until I did a Google search on “Biro.” Far as I know they’re just called Bics on this side of the puddle.

Posted by Chris · December 2, 2004 05:20 AM

I put a link in to make that joke more accessible to people who use Bics instead of Biros.

Posted by Kieran Healy · December 2, 2004 05:32 AM

Wow, Mr. Volokh really got you on that one Mr. Healy. You think it is possible for a paper titled “Child Custody and Speech Restrictions” to have verve and brio? Mostly pathos, I would guess.

Mr. Volokh must know, that we like boring and predictable in our lawyering, and he must have learned his lessons well. Too much verve and brio in a lawyer, well, that just makes us nervous.

Posted by cloquet · December 2, 2004 05:46 AM

I guess it’s true that lawyers tend to be stronger on biro than brio. But surely Eugene is an exception.

Posted by Kieran Healy · December 2, 2004 05:53 AM

“If anyone has any strategies for revivifying oneself…”

Brioche.

Posted by Alex H. · December 2, 2004 06:05 AM

Semi-serious strategy of revivification: read the most poetic, obscure theorist in a field slightly adjacent to yours.

Benjamin’s Arcades Project is currently making me sit up and want to argue.

Posted by Jackmormon · December 2, 2004 07:02 AM

“If anyone has any strategies for revivifying oneself…”

Italy.

Posted by Doug · December 2, 2004 10:21 AM

My copy of The Economist Style Guide quotes Sydney Smith:

“As a general rule, run your pen through every other word you have written; you have no idea what vigour it will give to your style.”

Posted by Anders Widebrant · December 2, 2004 10:34 AM

Like this:

As general run pen every word have you no what it give your

(sorry, it was irresistible)

Posted by rob · December 2, 2004 02:24 PM

Your own suggestion was to read Peter Cook, which during my recent bout of pneumonia made me more cheerful, if not any better.

Posted by harry · December 2, 2004 02:28 PM

Feel better! I second the suggestion above about Italy, but caffeine is possibly both cheaper and nearer. Disclaimer: of course, I’m speaking as an addict.

Posted by Patrick Belton · December 2, 2004 03:25 PM

Sure wish I had the reference for this one. I read a short science journal article about 10 years ago, which described the morning rituals of a tribe in Central or South America.

Every morning, the men got together and drank an extremely strong concoction of coffee, and then proceeded to throw up together also. They did this every single day. Maybe Mr. Healy will try this one. Might have some trouble getting those guy partners, but sure would beat going to the coffee bar just for some free wifi internet, when there are so many other superior brio socializing opportunities.

Do you think that might qualify as brio? That brio ref was okay, bad jim, but I know you can do better. I challege you to come up with a better one than this.

Posted by cloquet · December 2, 2004 04:13 PM

Kieran,
Is this the first sign of impending burn-out? I suggest that you get away, take a break, and get some sleep. Then take the time to think about why you went into Sociology. Yoga, long walks in the country with my dog, and good conversation help me.

Posted by Mary Kay · December 2, 2004 04:32 PM

How about a compromise between Italy, coffee and the tribal vomitting - have a nice espresso and belch afterwards. I always feel good after a good belch.

Posted by Njorl · December 2, 2004 06:55 PM

Anders, Rob: I think “every other word” really means “50 percent on average.” Try this (spelling and punctuation cleaned up):

A rule: you’re through. Every word, have you? No. Vigour will give style.

Posted by HP · December 2, 2004 08:47 PM

“If anyone has any strategies for revivifying oneself…”

Brio yourself a nice cuppa.

Posted by vim · December 2, 2004 11:38 PM

Verve = giving some nerve to your verbs. Sort of. At least, that’s what Thomas Gray was thinking about, and he’s among the earliest to use it in English.

Posted by nick · December 5, 2004 03:45 AM
Followups

This discussion has been closed. Thanks to everyone who contributed.