I'm back. I've blocked someone -- my first time, and it's not a great feeling.
Let's discuss discussing the Charles Baxter story. I won't tackle it until more people have a good chance to read it. Thanks.
Soon I'll post a list of excellent short stories. This will give you a long-term heads-up about what we'll be dissecting. Sadly, many are tough to find.
Everything is in the internet. Maybe we ought to find a book dealer in this group. I have a "Poker" one who supplies me with thousand dollars worth cutting edge courses and softwares for peanuts. But, I'd feel horrible that the money won't go to the writer. Cause unlike poker players, writers are decent folks.
The writers have already been paid for used copies. Unsure if thats ethical or not, but I nearly always buy used books because they the wear on them tells a story as well. Plus Im cheap. Chuck, can I acquire and sell used copies to everyone? Is that ethical?
Obviously not used copies. What about those masterclasses from recent years, Aaron Sorkin, David Mamet.. to name a couple. All of em can be aquired for nothing. Doesn't it affect the writers?
Huzzah! Ive been in Chuck withdrawal and consuming your podcast spots as replacement treatment. Was listening to Altucher today. Glad I did because Ive been reminded of a lot from Consider This, and had some things cleared up. Got a lot of thought verbs combined with action/viscera that I have to rethink.
Sorry. Hope the blockee gets whatever it is they need. (Im being sincere.)
When Chuck said that he was always sincere on Bilyeu's podcast it kicked me in the gut because I have actively tried very hard to do the same after a lifetime of hiding behind sarcasm and humor.
Welcome back! I was increasingly sad at the thought that some doofus ruined it for the rest of us who are here for your insight, wit, and the occasional zinger!
Woohoo! Chuck's back! Great to see you posting again. Thanks so much for the box of goodies. I think the whole street heard me shout, 'Fuck, yeah!' when the postman arrived. Charles Baxter story read and very on-board with hunting out future short stories. May the substack go on!
Got stuck at the airport for 6 hours yesterday. Managed to find a copy of тАЬThrough the Safety NetтАЭ on Amazon for just a few quid - the entire collection of short stories - so I brought it with me.
And I was reading at the gate. Kids stuffing their mouths with crunchy crisps. People chewing and always muttering about everything. I was reading and wondered, тАЬWhy people have to chew so much in public?тАЭ And also, тАЬWhere the hell is this story going?тАЭ Then I saw it. And really enjoyed it. The story, the chewing annoyed me all the way back home.
Looking forward to see your analysis of the story, Chuck.
Also, in the short stories collection there are some other nice stories too. тАЬSaul and Paty are Getting Comfortable in MichiganтАЭ twisted my stomach. It gave me a sad slap in the face. I grew fond of the two main characters so much I wanted to watch a movie about them.
Anyway, thanks, Chuck. For Baxter. And for being back.
I'm back. I've blocked someone -- my first time, and it's not a great feeling.
Let's discuss discussing the Charles Baxter story. I won't tackle it until more people have a good chance to read it. Thanks.
Sweet. Thank you.
Feel free to ignore me if this is too personal, but do you feel isolated? Id be happy to chat with ya. Substack needs DMs.
Truth
Soon I'll post a list of excellent short stories. This will give you a long-term heads-up about what we'll be dissecting. Sadly, many are tough to find.
It's kind of fun hunting for them. Like being in a library back when they had card catalogues.
I'm conflicted. I could scan and post them but that's unethical.
No! Let us find. Last time there were multiple posts with that helpful link... We're a team.
https://archive.org/details/throughsafetynet00baxt/page/10/mode/2up?view=theater
I think everyone was great about helping each other out on the hunt.
OK I get it now! I have to actually just talk and show up. Got it. Gooooooo team! WhenтАЩs lunch?
What if you mailed them, and we mailed them to one another? The Palahniuk Postal Library.
Everyone who was a kid in the 90s knows chain letters are illegal, John.
Every 90s kid knows that sending on chain letters brings out a local serial killer.
I meant the actual books. We only have 24hrs to read them and send them on. Hint. Wink. Nudge. Xerox.
https://archive.org/details/throughsafetynet00baxt/page/10/mode/2up?view=theater
Thanks, even though it's being "loaned" now I appreciate the effort...
Time for another book adventure! Boots on, compass ready!
Yeah, but where?? 8^)
Start your adventure anywhere you would find books.
Thanks, but as I said ^ in the thread I'm traveling and have no access to English books noplace (!) except online...
Someone found them on achieve dot com. Can I add the direct link here?
Everything is in the internet. Maybe we ought to find a book dealer in this group. I have a "Poker" one who supplies me with thousand dollars worth cutting edge courses and softwares for peanuts. But, I'd feel horrible that the money won't go to the writer. Cause unlike poker players, writers are decent folks.
The writers have already been paid for used copies. Unsure if thats ethical or not, but I nearly always buy used books because they the wear on them tells a story as well. Plus Im cheap. Chuck, can I acquire and sell used copies to everyone? Is that ethical?
Obviously not used copies. What about those masterclasses from recent years, Aaron Sorkin, David Mamet.. to name a couple. All of em can be aquired for nothing. Doesn't it affect the writers?
Thanks I still havenтАЩt gotten a chance to read it.
Welcome back to the comments! I got my copy of Baxter yesterday. CanтАЩt wait to dive into discussions.
Me too--isn't it Different?!...
I loved it... for the record.
Me too, but I will avoid any spoilers until the official discussion.
Thank you. Please don't spoil it for now.
Yeah! Makes me excited about future assignments too. Highly doubtful I would have ended up reading this outside of this group.
Welcome back. I think I came within an inch of getting blocked. lesson learned. Story read.
I honestly thought he blocked you lol
Ever hear of folie a Deux? ЁЯШЙ
I'm still here and grateful for it.
Huzzah! Ive been in Chuck withdrawal and consuming your podcast spots as replacement treatment. Was listening to Altucher today. Glad I did because Ive been reminded of a lot from Consider This, and had some things cleared up. Got a lot of thought verbs combined with action/viscera that I have to rethink.
Sorry. Hope the blockee gets whatever it is they need. (Im being sincere.)
When Chuck said that he was always sincere on Bilyeu's podcast it kicked me in the gut because I have actively tried very hard to do the same after a lifetime of hiding behind sarcasm and humor.
I was able to read it online - thanks archive[dot]org! Looking forward to the discussion. ЁЯШК
And in my quest to obtain a hard copy, I picked up some of Baxter's other work. ЁЯШЖ
Welcome back! Your room is just how you left it. But we've added a few extra glittery balls.
Can someone tell me what Charles Baxter story Im supposed to read? I totally missed this somehow and am failing to find it in other posts.
His short story, "Through the Safety Net." It is a pretty quick read!
Through the Safety Net. The book bears the same name. It's online and I can post the link again.
I found it but thank you!
Um. I am having trouble finding it.
It's free here. If it's out, just try again in 1 hour.
https://archive.org/details/throughsafetynet00baxt/page/n231/mode/2up
Happy reading.
Thank you!
Welcome back! I was increasingly sad at the thought that some doofus ruined it for the rest of us who are here for your insight, wit, and the occasional zinger!
Miss you Mr. Palahniuk!
Woohoo! Chuck's back! Great to see you posting again. Thanks so much for the box of goodies. I think the whole street heard me shout, 'Fuck, yeah!' when the postman arrived. Charles Baxter story read and very on-board with hunting out future short stories. May the substack go on!
Standing on the porch of the Paper Street house was worth the wait. Space Monkey, ready to go! тЩея╕ПЁЯРТЁЯЪА
Got stuck at the airport for 6 hours yesterday. Managed to find a copy of тАЬThrough the Safety NetтАЭ on Amazon for just a few quid - the entire collection of short stories - so I brought it with me.
And I was reading at the gate. Kids stuffing their mouths with crunchy crisps. People chewing and always muttering about everything. I was reading and wondered, тАЬWhy people have to chew so much in public?тАЭ And also, тАЬWhere the hell is this story going?тАЭ Then I saw it. And really enjoyed it. The story, the chewing annoyed me all the way back home.
Looking forward to see your analysis of the story, Chuck.
Also, in the short stories collection there are some other nice stories too. тАЬSaul and Paty are Getting Comfortable in MichiganтАЭ twisted my stomach. It gave me a sad slap in the face. I grew fond of the two main characters so much I wanted to watch a movie about them.
Anyway, thanks, Chuck. For Baxter. And for being back.
Glad you're back chief. You are immensely valued.
Charles Baxter...is that the same guy who wrote a book called "The Art of Subtext?"
Looks like it :)
https://www.google.com/search?q=%22the+art+of+subtext%22&rlz=1C1SQJL_enCA841CA841&oq=%22the+art+of+subtext%22&aqs=chrome..69i57j46i512j0i512l2j0i22i30j69i65l3.2506j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8