Great story, and for one, I’m thankful you took the money. I can’t imagine my 20s without Fight Club. Also wanted say thanks for doing this. I’m loving the opportunity for insight into your history, process, etc.
(Side note)My husband presented Rogan and your conversation to me with a massive toothy grin, knowing I'd be insanely excited. Did not disappoint, felt like I was listening to a friend talk.👌🏻
A while ago I heard you talking about the sense of being protected when you are working, which I think I remember you tying into what you’ve mentioned above. It was really strange when I heard you say that because I’d already had this sort of feeling enveloping me; sort of like a warm blanket. Especially during the past year with the first draft I was writing. It’s very real. I’ve talked to some others I’m working with and not everyone has felt that sense while in their own work, but maybe it’s just a matter of recognizing it.
Chuck, your work got me into reading/writing. You've played the role in helping me realize my "gift" as you and Lewis Hyde put it here. Your blog today hit me at a perfect moment exactly when I needed to hear it, not unlike how I first met you. I walked into The Booksmith on Haight Street, San Francisco back in 2016 because I'd been depressed that day with my job. I'd never been in that book store and I didn't even know Haight had a book store. But I saw it and went in. I browsed, trying to distract myself, when I noticed a line of people formed. As I asked someone at the front of the line who was signing, I saw you and thought.. these kind of things, they don't happen. But it did! So thank you for choking me out that day and signing my copy of Fight Club 2, but mostly thank you to the machine elves who run the universe and line all this up.
"he is a witch" is what my fiance said when I feeblely tried to re tell your writing like after a stand-up.
.. the difference between "fuck you" money and fuck you money...
I think this is your best article yet and you tie in past talking points with a craft that you have clearly mastered. The pictures of your castle after the Joe Rogan episode.. everything you say has power and it makes me acknowledge that all of my thoughts have power. Thank you again.
I’m zeroing in on footnote no.9 as there’s - and I know this might sound like a platitude - such a tranquil/soothing aspect to “cognitive pruning”. I can personally find it somewhat difficult to get around to writing but the. find myself immersed in it whenever I do. The idea of writing with no emotional/confidence/OCD/etc baggage is both extremely appealing and appeasing. Chuck, if you have anymore to say about/elaborate upon in regards to footnote no.9 , be it in a future post or whatever else, I’d love to see it.
P.S. I recently bought the first addition hardback of ‘Fight Club’ from 1996 that was mentioned at the start. (The one with the title embedded in the translucent bar of yellow soap.) It’s one of few books I own that’s actually older than I am.
P.P.S This isn’t related to the post but I thought I’d mention it. A radio series on the topic of offence in literature which I was interviewed for at my university aired recently. Of the three of us students that were interviewed, only some of what was said was used, and it was by me (ironic considering I messed up on the first take introducing myself and the fact that my voice sounds like a more monotone Darth Vader). I mentioned how I love the fact that Literature can push boundaries and be ‘offensive’ and then also mentioned some of my favourite authors who could be deemed as “problematic”. You were among the mentioned, and so I should probably say now that if by chance those listening to the BBC documentary had never heard of you but have now taken an interest: you’re welcome. Or, alternatively, if some “anti-fascist” book burners were tuning in to find some targets: my apologies.
I’ll stop the P.S.es here before this turns into a novella.
I came here to say that $6000 wasn't the only thing you received from that book deal. And as much as it _isn't_ about the money, the money helps provide concrete external validation of your work and while external validation isn't necessarily what you're looking for (or were looking for), it's awfully damn nice to have.
I heard you talking about all of this on the Tim Ferriss podcast. I must have listened to it three or four times already, it's one of my go-to listens when out on a run or just walking to work. As other people have already mentioned here in the comments, there's something especially inspiring about your story.
By the way, that interview you did with Ferriss is the most interesting I've heard from you; way more than the Rogan episodes. That Ferriss guy asks some great questions and is a much better listener than certain other interviewers. Anyone here who hasn't already listened to it, I highly recommend it.
Anyway, thanks Chuck, you're helping a lot of people with these posts and interviews. I totally get what you're saying about "the idea"; although there's no way I'd agree in front of my wife that the idea beats the new wife! Between me and you though...
It's beautiful concept, this guardian. I'm pretty sure you've written about it before, as have others. But it always seems like something I remember I already knew. An inherent truth. Thanks for the midday inspiration! Guess I need to get a copy of The Guest. How is it that I keep reading, but the stacks keep growing? It feels like a slow-motion I Love Lucy bit.
Maybe the most inspiring thing I've read on your Substack thus far. Thank you for this.
Great story, and for one, I’m thankful you took the money. I can’t imagine my 20s without Fight Club. Also wanted say thanks for doing this. I’m loving the opportunity for insight into your history, process, etc.
Furthering the reasons I adore your work.
(Side note)My husband presented Rogan and your conversation to me with a massive toothy grin, knowing I'd be insanely excited. Did not disappoint, felt like I was listening to a friend talk.👌🏻
A while ago I heard you talking about the sense of being protected when you are working, which I think I remember you tying into what you’ve mentioned above. It was really strange when I heard you say that because I’d already had this sort of feeling enveloping me; sort of like a warm blanket. Especially during the past year with the first draft I was writing. It’s very real. I’ve talked to some others I’m working with and not everyone has felt that sense while in their own work, but maybe it’s just a matter of recognizing it.
Chuck, your work got me into reading/writing. You've played the role in helping me realize my "gift" as you and Lewis Hyde put it here. Your blog today hit me at a perfect moment exactly when I needed to hear it, not unlike how I first met you. I walked into The Booksmith on Haight Street, San Francisco back in 2016 because I'd been depressed that day with my job. I'd never been in that book store and I didn't even know Haight had a book store. But I saw it and went in. I browsed, trying to distract myself, when I noticed a line of people formed. As I asked someone at the front of the line who was signing, I saw you and thought.. these kind of things, they don't happen. But it did! So thank you for choking me out that day and signing my copy of Fight Club 2, but mostly thank you to the machine elves who run the universe and line all this up.
My first advance was also kiss-off money ($6,500, in 2004), but at the time it felt like a fortune... and more importantly, a validation.
"he is a witch" is what my fiance said when I feeblely tried to re tell your writing like after a stand-up.
.. the difference between "fuck you" money and fuck you money...
I think this is your best article yet and you tie in past talking points with a craft that you have clearly mastered. The pictures of your castle after the Joe Rogan episode.. everything you say has power and it makes me acknowledge that all of my thoughts have power. Thank you again.
I thought I was the only one that felt this way! Great to hear I'm not.
I heard Iggy Pop once say "if someone has given you a dollar to play some music for them, boy you've had a great day". That stuck with me.
I’m zeroing in on footnote no.9 as there’s - and I know this might sound like a platitude - such a tranquil/soothing aspect to “cognitive pruning”. I can personally find it somewhat difficult to get around to writing but the. find myself immersed in it whenever I do. The idea of writing with no emotional/confidence/OCD/etc baggage is both extremely appealing and appeasing. Chuck, if you have anymore to say about/elaborate upon in regards to footnote no.9 , be it in a future post or whatever else, I’d love to see it.
P.S. I recently bought the first addition hardback of ‘Fight Club’ from 1996 that was mentioned at the start. (The one with the title embedded in the translucent bar of yellow soap.) It’s one of few books I own that’s actually older than I am.
P.P.S This isn’t related to the post but I thought I’d mention it. A radio series on the topic of offence in literature which I was interviewed for at my university aired recently. Of the three of us students that were interviewed, only some of what was said was used, and it was by me (ironic considering I messed up on the first take introducing myself and the fact that my voice sounds like a more monotone Darth Vader). I mentioned how I love the fact that Literature can push boundaries and be ‘offensive’ and then also mentioned some of my favourite authors who could be deemed as “problematic”. You were among the mentioned, and so I should probably say now that if by chance those listening to the BBC documentary had never heard of you but have now taken an interest: you’re welcome. Or, alternatively, if some “anti-fascist” book burners were tuning in to find some targets: my apologies.
I’ll stop the P.S.es here before this turns into a novella.
I came here to say that $6000 wasn't the only thing you received from that book deal. And as much as it _isn't_ about the money, the money helps provide concrete external validation of your work and while external validation isn't necessarily what you're looking for (or were looking for), it's awfully damn nice to have.
I heard you talking about all of this on the Tim Ferriss podcast. I must have listened to it three or four times already, it's one of my go-to listens when out on a run or just walking to work. As other people have already mentioned here in the comments, there's something especially inspiring about your story.
By the way, that interview you did with Ferriss is the most interesting I've heard from you; way more than the Rogan episodes. That Ferriss guy asks some great questions and is a much better listener than certain other interviewers. Anyone here who hasn't already listened to it, I highly recommend it.
Anyway, thanks Chuck, you're helping a lot of people with these posts and interviews. I totally get what you're saying about "the idea"; although there's no way I'd agree in front of my wife that the idea beats the new wife! Between me and you though...
It's beautiful concept, this guardian. I'm pretty sure you've written about it before, as have others. But it always seems like something I remember I already knew. An inherent truth. Thanks for the midday inspiration! Guess I need to get a copy of The Guest. How is it that I keep reading, but the stacks keep growing? It feels like a slow-motion I Love Lucy bit.
Thank you, Chuck. Your use of footnotes is always a lesson within the lesson.
Riveting read as always. Something about an artist doing it for the right reason just melts my heart. And temporarily restores my faith in humans.
Thanks for this. This inspired me to write a few more lines for a story which I may or may never finish, but every little bit helps. Love your prose.