Consider each part of your process. I'm still gathering material, listening for odd phrasing, collecting notes in the notebook. But drinking was something I did while typing those notes into my laptop. My formula: I'm doing the grunt part (typing) so I deserve a drink (or ten).
Joy Williams always said that writers must be smart enough to do the writing... but dumb enough to do the grinding parts. Wine helped me with the grind. Now, I get up at 4:AM and drink coffee while I do the grind. The ideas are popping more than ever. And getting work done early sets up my mind for a good day.
Glad to hear that ideas are emerging no matter what. There's a strong bond between lit and alcohol, that it's almost inconceivable to think a writer would do well without a drink.
I feel flat when typing. But, maybe I gotta try this early morning coffee routine. Thanks.
I always struggle with the grind. Ive just finished a first draft of a short story and I really like it, but I haven't plucked up the courage to edit and post it (or any of my other work) on substack. for me the drink really kills everything; I can barely form a coherent sentence. Maybe my short stature and fast metabolism gets me wrecked quicker, though I'm typing this after a few. I was raised on TV and videogames but was compelled to write after experiencing Lynch and Kubrick about 12 years ago. I studied literature and creative writing so I would ACTUALLY READ AND WRITE (those deadlines really make you work), but at 28 I still have the modern media induced ADHD which makes the actual writing very difficult. I formulate the stories in my head but the actual typing is harrowing for me. I am no hemmingway; the booze gives me the confidence to think/talk a good story but I can't write for toffee in that mode. It's very much a catch 22 thing where I have no confidence in my abilities without drink, but I can't stop drinking once I start and that is not conducive to writing compelling prose for me :/
In my humble opinion you should let energies and emotions accumulate, stare at them in silence for a considerable amount of time and I dare to speculate that at some point a different type of desire to write would emerge, more poignant than the one provided by alcohol… but that is just a theory in my head, I wouldn’t know for sure for I’m no writer 😔
Oh, no. That could be the end of me. It's not populor around these parts, or else -- knowing my drug fueled nature -- I would have drowned myself in meth.
lol yes it’s best to stay away from such substances. But writers block is rough. I’ve had long bouts of it, lasting months. Fortunately the words always returned eventually. Hopefully you’ll find them soon.
I’ve been holding back on the questions because I figure you’re probably fatigued after tour, but I’d like to ask one question about ‘Not Forever’ if that’s cool.
Was there ever any consideration to alluding to Miss Havisham from Dicken’s ‘Great Expectations’ in the novel? I ask because the frozen states of the brothers, the stopping of the clocks and such in the big, Victorian home, reminded me of her somewhat. Also because, you know -- Dickens and his work being quintessentially British.
I'd allege that Miss Havisham is a metaphor for addiction. She's stuck mentally and emotionally at the moment she got jilted and began to guzzle the wedding champagne.
I agree with everything but the champagne guzzling. NOTHING from that wedding service got touched (unless the rats and various insects over the years count).
Thank you for all you do, Chuck. I could listen to you explain the rules of minimalism for the rest of my life and never get tired. Submerge the I, end sentences on a dental consonants, no abstracts, no Latinate words, no thought verbs, go on the body, vary the texture, no thesis statements as first lines, no back and forth tennis match dialogue, writing from within the character.
Oh, you just wait. I've got stuff coming that will dazzle you to no end. Talking the Nick Levin -- the son of the late Ira Levin -- and talking to the hypnotist has me so jazzed. Freaky stuff ahead.
This is my favorite Christmas card!
The first rule of NYC @pp is . . .
I wonder how are you getting on writing without using alcohol. Been off the drink for a while too and I can't seem to want to write at all.
Consider each part of your process. I'm still gathering material, listening for odd phrasing, collecting notes in the notebook. But drinking was something I did while typing those notes into my laptop. My formula: I'm doing the grunt part (typing) so I deserve a drink (or ten).
Joy Williams always said that writers must be smart enough to do the writing... but dumb enough to do the grinding parts. Wine helped me with the grind. Now, I get up at 4:AM and drink coffee while I do the grind. The ideas are popping more than ever. And getting work done early sets up my mind for a good day.
I hope you stay on track. Whatever works.
Congrats on the new routine.
Glad to hear that ideas are emerging no matter what. There's a strong bond between lit and alcohol, that it's almost inconceivable to think a writer would do well without a drink.
I feel flat when typing. But, maybe I gotta try this early morning coffee routine. Thanks.
Love to hear it!
I always struggle with the grind. Ive just finished a first draft of a short story and I really like it, but I haven't plucked up the courage to edit and post it (or any of my other work) on substack. for me the drink really kills everything; I can barely form a coherent sentence. Maybe my short stature and fast metabolism gets me wrecked quicker, though I'm typing this after a few. I was raised on TV and videogames but was compelled to write after experiencing Lynch and Kubrick about 12 years ago. I studied literature and creative writing so I would ACTUALLY READ AND WRITE (those deadlines really make you work), but at 28 I still have the modern media induced ADHD which makes the actual writing very difficult. I formulate the stories in my head but the actual typing is harrowing for me. I am no hemmingway; the booze gives me the confidence to think/talk a good story but I can't write for toffee in that mode. It's very much a catch 22 thing where I have no confidence in my abilities without drink, but I can't stop drinking once I start and that is not conducive to writing compelling prose for me :/
In my humble opinion you should let energies and emotions accumulate, stare at them in silence for a considerable amount of time and I dare to speculate that at some point a different type of desire to write would emerge, more poignant than the one provided by alcohol… but that is just a theory in my head, I wouldn’t know for sure for I’m no writer 😔
Meth is always an option. 😉
Oh, no. That could be the end of me. It's not populor around these parts, or else -- knowing my drug fueled nature -- I would have drowned myself in meth.
lol yes it’s best to stay away from such substances. But writers block is rough. I’ve had long bouts of it, lasting months. Fortunately the words always returned eventually. Hopefully you’ll find them soon.
Wishing you the best 🤍
Still haunts and still carries out a one-two punch ripple effect.
I’ve been holding back on the questions because I figure you’re probably fatigued after tour, but I’d like to ask one question about ‘Not Forever’ if that’s cool.
Was there ever any consideration to alluding to Miss Havisham from Dicken’s ‘Great Expectations’ in the novel? I ask because the frozen states of the brothers, the stopping of the clocks and such in the big, Victorian home, reminded me of her somewhat. Also because, you know -- Dickens and his work being quintessentially British.
Would the allusion be too on the nose?
I'd allege that Miss Havisham is a metaphor for addiction. She's stuck mentally and emotionally at the moment she got jilted and began to guzzle the wedding champagne.
I agree with everything but the champagne guzzling. NOTHING from that wedding service got touched (unless the rats and various insects over the years count).
Was his name Robert Paulson?
I think it haunts all of us.
Thank you for all you do, Chuck. I could listen to you explain the rules of minimalism for the rest of my life and never get tired. Submerge the I, end sentences on a dental consonants, no abstracts, no Latinate words, no thought verbs, go on the body, vary the texture, no thesis statements as first lines, no back and forth tennis match dialogue, writing from within the character.
Oh, you just wait. I've got stuff coming that will dazzle you to no end. Talking the Nick Levin -- the son of the late Ira Levin -- and talking to the hypnotist has me so jazzed. Freaky stuff ahead.
Oh gosh, that's gonna make me feel dumb haha
Were you ever into things like astrology or numerology or tea leaf readings or tarot cards?
One ticket on the freaky train please
Last Tuesday I attended a fight club book club in Bangkok with a couple of dozens of people from different nationalities.