I will focus on short stories and excerpts so as not to overload you. In his landmark study of fiction writing, 'The Program Era,' Mark McGurl speculates that short stories become popular every twenty years because they're the most effective way to teach writing. Each twenty years writing programs have to update their syllabi, so they look for new story collections. As per McGurl, that's why Denis Johnson will forever be known for 'Jesus' Son' and Junot Diaz will be known for 'Drown.' Because stories offer the most bang for the buck.
Fascinating theory. My daughter is a big fan of Junot Diaz’ kid’s book, Islandborn. I used to have to read it over and over, but I’d paraphrase because it’s wordy for a kid’s book. I got it for her because I loved The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. But I have not read Drown. I’ll add it to my list.
Drown is fantastic. Back in the 90s Lois Rosenthal rebooted 'Story' magazine and discovered Diaz. Lois was quirky, but she helped launch a lot of short story writers.
Ah, the universe is pointing me to Graham Greene. Second time today I've read the name. Definitely going to dig into this one. And congrats on delivering the manuscript!
I had one a couple of days ago. In a short story i'm working on i needed to find some spider races names, i look it up and see a spider that fits all i needed. The day after, i was driving my car when this big spider came hanging to her silk from the car ceiling and stopped going down just between me and the wheel. It was the exact same spider i choose a day earlier for my story, a big kinda scary one. Kind of a woo woo effect toi.
That's interesting. You know, with me, it's the opposite. I kinda look back at a moment or two in my life, and I wish if had examined with my intellect instead of my gut feeling.
Why is the destruction of a building so satisfying? The only part of 'The Shining' that I wanted more of was the destruction of the hotel. Why such a short montage? Weird and creepy and tantric.
Part of the big story I’m working on involves a high school party that my main character throws at his parent’s house that totally destroys it, severing his relationship with them as a result. I was thinking of cutting that chapter, but now I think I’ll rework it and leave it. It definitely needs work though.
Fall of the House of Usher with the destruction of family, psyche and home really shows the power of the idea. This is an effective silent version - https://youtu.be/mxjCWleWXf4
Kind of funny, when I was a kid, my dad planted this seed in my head before I'd ever read any Stephen King, that most of his stories ended by explosion.
Great selection you see the difference between the old and new generation. The nihilism of this gang, T becomes their leader after proposing a more ruthless plan than the previous leader who wanted to hop on buses without paying. Thomas loves his home and is proud of it but these young punks want to tear everything down. Nothing can survive. Interesting the war, but T's father loses his job he was an architect this might also add to T's dissatisfaction with the world. His father lost his station in life and a war can bring somebody down. I enjoyed the read. Keep them coming
I think T is setting out to destroy the part of him that is his father before the world does. (And his mother by the sounds of it with her heirs and graces) He’s taking control of his fear like we all do when we self deprecate in company.
Congrats! And can’t wait for all your recommended reading.
I will focus on short stories and excerpts so as not to overload you. In his landmark study of fiction writing, 'The Program Era,' Mark McGurl speculates that short stories become popular every twenty years because they're the most effective way to teach writing. Each twenty years writing programs have to update their syllabi, so they look for new story collections. As per McGurl, that's why Denis Johnson will forever be known for 'Jesus' Son' and Junot Diaz will be known for 'Drown.' Because stories offer the most bang for the buck.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_McGurl
Cain? Bandcamp? Help me out a little-Google doesn't. I'm curious...
Thanks wads!
Fascinating theory. My daughter is a big fan of Junot Diaz’ kid’s book, Islandborn. I used to have to read it over and over, but I’d paraphrase because it’s wordy for a kid’s book. I got it for her because I loved The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. But I have not read Drown. I’ll add it to my list.
Drown is fantastic. Back in the 90s Lois Rosenthal rebooted 'Story' magazine and discovered Diaz. Lois was quirky, but she helped launch a lot of short story writers.
Ah, the universe is pointing me to Graham Greene. Second time today I've read the name. Definitely going to dig into this one. And congrats on delivering the manuscript!
Don't you love when you find little coincidental hints like that? Makes you feel like you are on the right track.
Sweat synchronicity
I had one a couple of days ago. In a short story i'm working on i needed to find some spider races names, i look it up and see a spider that fits all i needed. The day after, i was driving my car when this big spider came hanging to her silk from the car ceiling and stopped going down just between me and the wheel. It was the exact same spider i choose a day earlier for my story, a big kinda scary one. Kind of a woo woo effect toi.
Even thought it's just pure statistics, these coincidences always gets our attention,. The intellect is powerless against imagination.
Well, statistics or not if you don't notice it, you're missing some kind of information
Sometimes looking back at a conincidence you wished you had considered it with your guts or instinct
instead of your intellect. I know i did.
That's interesting. You know, with me, it's the opposite. I kinda look back at a moment or two in my life, and I wish if had examined with my intellect instead of my gut feeling.
Why is the destruction of a building so satisfying? The only part of 'The Shining' that I wanted more of was the destruction of the hotel. Why such a short montage? Weird and creepy and tantric.
Part of the big story I’m working on involves a high school party that my main character throws at his parent’s house that totally destroys it, severing his relationship with them as a result. I was thinking of cutting that chapter, but now I think I’ll rework it and leave it. It definitely needs work though.
Maybe we find comfort in impermanence
Or perhaps the ultimate feeling of control over destiny. Half the joy of building stick or card palaces was in knocking them down or burning them.
Like the houses models in Lullaby
Fall of the House of Usher with the destruction of family, psyche and home really shows the power of the idea. This is an effective silent version - https://youtu.be/mxjCWleWXf4
Kind of funny, when I was a kid, my dad planted this seed in my head before I'd ever read any Stephen King, that most of his stories ended by explosion.
Talk about plot spoiler 😆
Congratulations! Looking forward to your posts and assignments. I've been reading Consider This which I'm finding very helpful.
“bang, crash”
Congrats on the manuscript. Is this the same story idea you mentioned starting only a month or two ago? If so, that's some quick turnaround.
Great selection you see the difference between the old and new generation. The nihilism of this gang, T becomes their leader after proposing a more ruthless plan than the previous leader who wanted to hop on buses without paying. Thomas loves his home and is proud of it but these young punks want to tear everything down. Nothing can survive. Interesting the war, but T's father loses his job he was an architect this might also add to T's dissatisfaction with the world. His father lost his station in life and a war can bring somebody down. I enjoyed the read. Keep them coming
I think T is setting out to destroy the part of him that is his father before the world does. (And his mother by the sounds of it with her heirs and graces) He’s taking control of his fear like we all do when we self deprecate in company.
Forgot about the Donnie Darko connection...Great story, and can't wait for the new book!
There should really be more punk bands named "The Wormsley Common Gang"
Congrats on the book!
Also, Looking forward to adding more books to my Palahniuk pile of recommended reading.
In the spirit of minimalism, I recommend reading Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke. Great short story, very romantic yet disturbing.
Hey Chuck, welcome back!
I've been wondering where you went to.
Having a swell time with all those submissions?
Find anything good?
While searching through the submissions, have you ever had this thought cross your mind: "I oughta ban this person too."
Probably not because I haven't submitted anything yet.
LOL
Congrats on finishing the manuscript! I’d love to hear your elevator pitch advice on short stories. This is a format I’ve been working on more, and publishing them on Simily, and I’ve followed Vonnegut’s advice when trying to write. (https://www.aerogrammestudio.com/2014/04/01/how-to-write-a-short-story-advice-from-kurt-vonnegut/)
Do you dis/agree with any of those?
Thanks for the recommendation.
Here on Planet Canada, Mr. Greene is better known for his prolific career as an Aboriginal actor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Greene_(actor)
Oh, I thought you wrote "here's a little contest on the story".
Must have contests on the brain. ;)
Congrats on your manuscript.
I really like this line from The Destructors: "We’d be like worms, don’t you see, in an apple." It almost serves as a thumbnail.
Neat context as well, and I enjoy when movies/other book/etc. give a nod to stories like in Donnie Darko.