What's a lipogram?

A lipogram is a piece of writing which omits a particular letter. Since the letter "e" is by far the most common letter in English (accounting for one in eight letters in an average text) the commonest and the most challenging form of lipogram involves the omission of that letter.

If you think that sounds hard ...

What's an antilipo?

example

Well to be honest it's a word I made up. In fact I have never heard of anyone else doing this so I might have invented it. If I find out there is already a word for this exercise or I think of a better one I'll replace it. An antilipo is the opposite of a lipogram because you have to fit a certain letter (let's say "e") into every single word.

Now the best way to start is to take a well known story and just start writing it within the limits you've imposed on yourself. For a greater challenge, try a poem.

N.B. I don't expect you just to read this page but to have a go yourself and send me the results

So, here are my examples for you. They are both versions of Britain's favourite poem "The Owl and the Pussycat" by Edward Lear. Click here to read the original.

Lipogram