I’m still in shock that people responded so well to my story, nonetheless you! Slush Pile was fucking awesome and I can’t wait to come back to Portland. I also got a fresh copy of Into the Wild, thank you again for the advice. :)
Wrote a story recently that was all Sci-fi. When I was in the middle I said, “now kill the sci-fi.” (My favorite darling) Then all that’s left is probably the best story I’ve ever written. 245 pages I’m actually proud of because it’s not vanity. Not grand. Not 1200 pages. Just story. Part of me likes making the darlings just to kill them though.
Consider that darlings are the bait that gets us to start. Tom called it "throat clearing." It's the scaffolding we don't need once the structure bears its own weight.
I’ve noticed that if I write this way, the making it grandiose then removing all the grandiosity yields positive results. Sometimes it helps me know what projects to continue and what ones to abandon. (Or save for a later date.)
Can’t wait to read your next book btw. Just finished Shock Induction. Sorry I had to set it aside because of school. Even though you sent me a proof copy I felt so bad. The larger paychecks and more time to write and read are worth it though. I may be a nurse now, but in my heart I’ve always wanted to be a writer.
Is anyone not yet a professional writer finding any success posting stories on substack, i.e. getting read? Other than this forum, it seems to be inundated with memes, quotes and animal videos. By posting stories is one just giving up the ability to get published with someone who only accepts unpublished stories??
Aw shucks. Thank you. Gotten better since 2023, thanks to my Gallon of Eggnog Ice Cream workshop mates. Hoping to have a finished book and be harassing agents at the beginning of 2026.
I've been starting each morning with one Amy Hempel story. I'm repeatedly struck by how short most of them are. More than possibly anyone else I've ever read, she makes every single word count, and I'm just blown away every time.
For me, I tend to make my point, then reiterate it several times (in rewrite I look for such lingering and cut it). This relates to the "blink" concept of editing: how while watching films, the audience tends to blink once they grasp the point of the shot. Can you apply that blink reflex to your work?
When using description, can you limit yourself to a single key element and reference it once? In the story "Ryan" I referred to a character from Kentucky. The reference had to say something cruel about the speaker (not the Kentuckian) so I wrote "being from Kentucky he'd never been in a room where he couldn't touch the ceiling..." If you can nail one unique detail you don't need to revisit it or to add more detail. Does that help?
I’d never related it that way to film editing, but that makes perfect sense, because I worked as a doc editor for a while and the classic advice was to cut the film strips when the actor or documentary subject blinked, like on the down blink.
There is a famous book about this called “In the Blink of an Eye” by Walter Murch. It’s a classic! Need to re read it now that you mention this. I bet so much from that book applies to fiction writing, too.
Chuck, I’m always learning new stuff from your Plot Spammer and subscriber comments, however; if it starts to suck worse than a Freightliner vacuum hose with an unprocessed Catholic guilt complex, I might need to reconsider.
(I doubt it will, but who can say?
Now comes for my douche
Please keep going if able.
If not, fk it.
But If it helps pays the bills consider keeping it.
I'm gonna continue with the paid subscription and no one can stop me!!!
I know if Chuck isn't posting on here he is busy with work. I look forward to the next story of yours that I get to read.
I’m still in shock that people responded so well to my story, nonetheless you! Slush Pile was fucking awesome and I can’t wait to come back to Portland. I also got a fresh copy of Into the Wild, thank you again for the advice. :)
Is it up on substack as well? May us non-Portlanders have a read?
I currently have the old draft on Medium but I will put it up on here once I’m done editing for anyone curious! :)
Awesome. Thanks!
Following because I'd like to read it too!
You earned that praise. And the story you told about your Cuban friend... hilarious.
Thank you! I’ll have to bring him soon.
Last year doordash accidently delivered a chicken sandwich at my doorstep and it was glorious.
They should make a laugh emoji on some stack just for you, Candice
Dawww thank you!
Wrote a story recently that was all Sci-fi. When I was in the middle I said, “now kill the sci-fi.” (My favorite darling) Then all that’s left is probably the best story I’ve ever written. 245 pages I’m actually proud of because it’s not vanity. Not grand. Not 1200 pages. Just story. Part of me likes making the darlings just to kill them though.
Consider that darlings are the bait that gets us to start. Tom called it "throat clearing." It's the scaffolding we don't need once the structure bears its own weight.
I’ve noticed that if I write this way, the making it grandiose then removing all the grandiosity yields positive results. Sometimes it helps me know what projects to continue and what ones to abandon. (Or save for a later date.)
Can’t wait to read your next book btw. Just finished Shock Induction. Sorry I had to set it aside because of school. Even though you sent me a proof copy I felt so bad. The larger paychecks and more time to write and read are worth it though. I may be a nurse now, but in my heart I’ve always wanted to be a writer.
Ok. I hope this is ok but going off topic:
Is anyone not yet a professional writer finding any success posting stories on substack, i.e. getting read? Other than this forum, it seems to be inundated with memes, quotes and animal videos. By posting stories is one just giving up the ability to get published with someone who only accepts unpublished stories??
It's the devil's choice. You need feedback, but you don't want exposure.
What's the fix?
I may yet make it to this.
I hope you do! You’re an excellent writer and storyteller. It was a privilege to hear your work.
Aw shucks. Thank you. Gotten better since 2023, thanks to my Gallon of Eggnog Ice Cream workshop mates. Hoping to have a finished book and be harassing agents at the beginning of 2026.
Whoops there goes $6
Did you know that in addition to the free chicken you also get free parasites? Truly the gift that keeps on giving
Did you try the chicken? I would leave posioned buckets of chicken lying around.
I feel like there's a story in that
What if someone eats it and turns into a chicken thing?
See, now that's what I'm talkin about....
And lay eggs that horrible chicken people hybrids hatch from.
Ok so basically if you're not going to write it I'm going to steal it. Because I need this story one way or the other! Your choice!
I’ll write it eventually lol
I've been starting each morning with one Amy Hempel story. I'm repeatedly struck by how short most of them are. More than possibly anyone else I've ever read, she makes every single word count, and I'm just blown away every time.
Agreed, Amy Hempel is the bomb.
Any advice for figuring out what’s a darling that deserves to die?
Good question.
For me, I tend to make my point, then reiterate it several times (in rewrite I look for such lingering and cut it). This relates to the "blink" concept of editing: how while watching films, the audience tends to blink once they grasp the point of the shot. Can you apply that blink reflex to your work?
When using description, can you limit yourself to a single key element and reference it once? In the story "Ryan" I referred to a character from Kentucky. The reference had to say something cruel about the speaker (not the Kentuckian) so I wrote "being from Kentucky he'd never been in a room where he couldn't touch the ceiling..." If you can nail one unique detail you don't need to revisit it or to add more detail. Does that help?
Yes! Thank you so much!
I’d never related it that way to film editing, but that makes perfect sense, because I worked as a doc editor for a while and the classic advice was to cut the film strips when the actor or documentary subject blinked, like on the down blink.
There is a famous book about this called “In the Blink of an Eye” by Walter Murch. It’s a classic! Need to re read it now that you mention this. I bet so much from that book applies to fiction writing, too.
❤️
Everything you share is worthwhile. Slush Pile is on my bucket list. Someday 💜🩷❤️
The plane ticket is looking more like a necessity by the day
Chuck, I’m always learning new stuff from your Plot Spammer and subscriber comments, however; if it starts to suck worse than a Freightliner vacuum hose with an unprocessed Catholic guilt complex, I might need to reconsider.
(I doubt it will, but who can say?
Now comes for my douche
Please keep going if able.
If not, fk it.
But If it helps pays the bills consider keeping it.
If not Pull the plug and focus on your work.
Thanks for a great Substack.
Everything is an experiment.