Sean. Forgive me for not mentioning this, but your Chewbacca last week was stunning. I was stunned. What a perfect effect. At the least we should've taken a group photo. I'm sorry I missed the chance. You really did look perfect.
Thank you for the kind words. I truly didn't want to disrupt the workshop because the important work is allowing for everyone to share and improve their stories.
Chuck, what is the best way for people booking flights to arrange to read in advance at Hindsight? Is going through Karyn the best way? Now it's probably going to be March because January 9 looks like my friend with the Jimi story is coming with me to Manhattan. The 18th I'm meeting Maegan. February is Hawaii at the beginning and still not sure what I'm doing but if you do a Valentine's one I can be a Jetsetter and go from Hawaii to Portland to Connecticut for my birthday..........
I already have a Valentine's story I mind all I need is a reason to write it lololol but I did write the Michael Ross elevator story yesterday so getting better about motivation.........
Stay safe and warm. When it's cold like this I don't feel trapped with my dogs and the wood boiler.
Try having one "not" argue. Use physical actions that the other character can ascribe meaning to:
He shoulders her aside and opens the cabinet behind her.
She says, "Did you just shove me?"
He takes a jar from a shelf. "I need oregano."
She says, "So you can yell at me and push me around?"
He says, "Who's yelling?"
Just pile up the tension. Check out how Tobias Wolff balances dialog and a physical task. Take special note of the "gun" he uses to escalate the argument to bloodletting...
Thank you, that's a great idea. I read in a book that all dialogue should have tension and that one character should essentially be saying "yes, yes" while the other says "no, no." That is how the book phrased it. And I think your tip is a great example of that. By having one character deny that back-and-forth, you build that tension. And it creates some unease too because at the back of your mind, the person "not" arguing is gonna reach a limit and hit back with something.
Say Yes was a cool story. I'm not gonna lie, when the bloodletting moment happened in the story it shocked me and made me laugh. And the way his wife gave that look was rendered very well. I have to read more Wolff.
Exactly! The unresolvable topic is always gold. Workshop was good, light attendance but that's to be expected because we shifted the day to avoid some bad weather.
I just received your bookmark, Sir. Thank you so much. I will cherish this for the rest of my life. It looks like a bookmark that belongs in a hand-illustrated mediaeval bible. There's a purple stone that's so striking as well! And I'm also going to need a bigger jar for your balls, Sir. So much balls, Sir. So much...
Stay safe!
Thanks for the update. I'll drive safe.
Sean. Forgive me for not mentioning this, but your Chewbacca last week was stunning. I was stunned. What a perfect effect. At the least we should've taken a group photo. I'm sorry I missed the chance. You really did look perfect.
Thank you for the kind words. I truly didn't want to disrupt the workshop because the important work is allowing for everyone to share and improve their stories.
Stay safe, everyone! ☃️
BUY MILK AND BREAD
Chuck, what is the best way for people booking flights to arrange to read in advance at Hindsight? Is going through Karyn the best way? Now it's probably going to be March because January 9 looks like my friend with the Jimi story is coming with me to Manhattan. The 18th I'm meeting Maegan. February is Hawaii at the beginning and still not sure what I'm doing but if you do a Valentine's one I can be a Jetsetter and go from Hawaii to Portland to Connecticut for my birthday..........
I already have a Valentine's story I mind all I need is a reason to write it lololol but I did write the Michael Ross elevator story yesterday so getting better about motivation.........
Stay safe and warm. When it's cold like this I don't feel trapped with my dogs and the wood boiler.
Happy Festivus
Hello Karie Anne -- I'll be talking to Karyn soon, and we'll nail down the upcoming dates so I can post them here. chuck
Hey Chuck, do you have any tips on how to write a good argument between characters?
Sorry about the weather.
Try having one "not" argue. Use physical actions that the other character can ascribe meaning to:
He shoulders her aside and opens the cabinet behind her.
She says, "Did you just shove me?"
He takes a jar from a shelf. "I need oregano."
She says, "So you can yell at me and push me around?"
He says, "Who's yelling?"
Just pile up the tension. Check out how Tobias Wolff balances dialog and a physical task. Take special note of the "gun" he uses to escalate the argument to bloodletting...
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxwaGlsbGlwc2VuZ2xpc2gxYnxneDoxMzdjYzE5ZjcyMWNlYTg2
Thank you, that's a great idea. I read in a book that all dialogue should have tension and that one character should essentially be saying "yes, yes" while the other says "no, no." That is how the book phrased it. And I think your tip is a great example of that. By having one character deny that back-and-forth, you build that tension. And it creates some unease too because at the back of your mind, the person "not" arguing is gonna reach a limit and hit back with something.
Say Yes was a cool story. I'm not gonna lie, when the bloodletting moment happened in the story it shocked me and made me laugh. And the way his wife gave that look was rendered very well. I have to read more Wolff.
Right?! The gun is so hidden-yet-natural. Like a shark in dishwater. That's a gun that is completely organic to the setting.
Not only that but doesn't this story also take advantage of an unresolvable topic? Interracial marriage.
Also, how was workshop the other day?
Exactly! The unresolvable topic is always gold. Workshop was good, light attendance but that's to be expected because we shifted the day to avoid some bad weather.
Thanks. See you tonight!
Congratulations on your new house!
Here's your local castle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoquiam%27s_Castle
I'm new. Do you mean at 7 EST? How do you find the workshop?
No. It happens in person in Portland, OR.
Oh, okay. Too bad for me. Thank you.
If you get the chance, drop in for a visit! We've had people travel from all over the world drop in for one or two sessions.
People are able to come and watch the workshop?
Everyone is welcome, but you're more welcome if you're open to learning the style of Minimalism.
For those who insist on a differing style, what is the usual reaction?
Sorry for the confusion. We usually meet in Portland, Pacific time. This year I plan to take things on the road more. Where are you?
Stay safe everyone!
I'm grateful you live within the same weatherzone and can warn me about things like this
I just received your bookmark, Sir. Thank you so much. I will cherish this for the rest of my life. It looks like a bookmark that belongs in a hand-illustrated mediaeval bible. There's a purple stone that's so striking as well! And I'm also going to need a bigger jar for your balls, Sir. So much balls, Sir. So much...
The purple is likely lepidolite, a very popular stone these days because it's supposed to protect people from electromagnetic radiation.
Ah! It was labrodite with some seriously high flash. Just lovely.
Near Los Angeles, Santa Clarita.
Happy Holidays Mr. Palahniuk. I miss chatting in the comments! I hope to take a trip to meet you and the group this coming year!