I had read all those fancy how-to write books, but it wasn’t until you started doing Gloves Off and attending a weekly workshop that my writing actually improved.
Now it’s a race to see whether John, Sean, Craig or I get published first.
I read Amy Hempel and my life is better for it, thanks to your recommendation. I’ve found myself changed as a person also thanks to doing more in depth developmental editing for clients as of late. I am staunch in my agreement that you must see it in action to understand. Because what is editing if not a teaching opportunity.
I don't have lupus, but as of yesterday I'm officially diagnosed as iron deficient! Does that count? Enough tragedy juice for a bio-pic?
My doctor says the iron stuff is why my hair is falling out... but I tried to tell her I'm GOING BALD OBVIOUSLY because of all the testosterone pumping through the veins of my RIPPLING ABS! When she questioned this assertion, I even showed her my dick and bent her over the exam table. You know, just to prove a point! But she still didn't believe me. I'm just TOO PRETTY to be taken seriously!!!
That said, Hollywood likes to hurt and kill pretty girls, so maybe the end of MY author movie will be nice and gruesome to make up for Flannery's fart of a fade-out! A girl can dream.
It is really scandalous, Jesus's hair, isn't it? A social ruckus. One of my favorite bits from King of the Hill is when a rock band member says to Hank, "Even Jesus had long hair," and Hank responds, "That's because I wasn't his dad!!!" Anyway, I have what it takes to be a cult leader either bald or billowing! Your only life-task now is to live long enough to watch the film adaptation of my short story where a salesman steals one of my breast implants. And when I have a teaching Substack of my own, you'll be a part of the newsletter describing the inspiration for the story. All writers are just a part of a giant snake eating its own tail! Okay. I'm done talking now.
I loved "Infamous." I wish I wish I wish I could have attended movie night. That sounds so fun. I consume everything Capote. What did you think of the movie "Capote" and the new "The Swans" with Capote? I just loved them. I would really like to hear what you think about House of Leaves, Mr Palahniuk! I would just love to know!
I loved Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of Capote was insanely good. I was completely lost in the character. He had this ice quality to him. It was perfect.
This week in Lil' Cheapy news: No one bothers me at the Satanic Temple any more. I ate them all. Mr Greaves promoted me to "The Poet Bard of The Satanic Temple." Feeling pretty good about myself.
Thanks for the callback Chuck! I wonder what my mom will say when she sees what I made a man and car do together.
Your post got me. I logic’ed that my eyes were broken for half my life, because, when reading, half a page would scan by before I’d wake up and have to back track. But after peeping Fight Club and Reasons to Live and Whores for Gloria, the verb fish hooks kept me on the paper. Currently scaring brain with Dennis Cooper and dipping into Hardcore by Linda Williams. I can see why you teach film often to educate writing.
Thanks for the film recommendation. My partner and I loved it. Oscar? The weaving of the short stories into the narrative was brilliant. You know what was also brilliant? The Nicaraguan food we ate at the food carts across the street from the theater after the movie. 🎥
Seeing your gloves off posts in context is much more helpful than reading books on writing. As you said, we all need to see things in context over and over until we can move from applying a concept to applying it well and consistently.
As a person who obsesses over concepts and bores people often, it’s a good reminder that telling stories and anecdotes is a better idea if I want people to listen.
I’m behind, but I find your Gloves Off posts the most helpful and inspiring. (Though, your stories as pop songs posts are a close second). Glad to know Wildcat is a worthwhile watch. You sent me down a Flannery OConnor rabbit hole the other night (meaning, rereading Good Country People and the anthology’s supplemental material (a sampling letters, criticism, etc.)
I hated studying law the way they taught me at my law school because, for the most part of the first two years, it was all about theory, the whole theory, and nothing but the theory. In the exams, you were supposed to reel off all the abstract elements of a contract without ever having seen or laid hands on one. Absurd and unthinkable, I guess, from a Common Law (and also common sense) perspective.
But I don't get along either with those slews of books out there containing 150 pages of anecdotes and examples as padding for just 50 pages of substance (if you're lucky).
Then again, for studying languages, I prefer reading books (including grammar books) over roleplaying and practicing in the classroom.
My point is, both abstraction and concretion (or concept application) have a place as long as they're used well in the right context. It is a moot point, granted, but now that I've made it here, l put it forward anyway.
Same. I really enjoyed it as well. Along with a ton of other titles I now own and have read thanks to Chuck!
Side note: I can’t read smut or memoir anymore— I quickly loose interest as to how bad it really is. It’s like trying to describe a vibrant dream you just had— no color, just words with no craftsmanship, leaving the reader uninvolved. I get what Chuck has been teaching in that regard!!!
Hey Kerri! Miss talking with ya. Hope you're doing well <3
Also, I'm sorry to hear poorly written smut ruined the genre as a hole. I know it's a typo but...that just seemed fitting. I love bad smut because it makes me laugh out loud. And I mean smut that doesn't take itself seriously. I guess that's the difference.
I had read all those fancy how-to write books, but it wasn’t until you started doing Gloves Off and attending a weekly workshop that my writing actually improved.
Now it’s a race to see whether John, Sean, Craig or I get published first.
I’m betting it’s not me…
Maybe it’s more a tortoise and the hare kind of situation
Well I do have an advantage whenever being slow and pokey and stubborn is called for
You also love leafy vegetables, have a shell covering your spine, and will live to 100 years old.
I hope its one of you guys. That would be extremely motivating.
So long as it's a friendly race. Friendships based on a shared passion will last longer than any success.
I read Amy Hempel and my life is better for it, thanks to your recommendation. I’ve found myself changed as a person also thanks to doing more in depth developmental editing for clients as of late. I am staunch in my agreement that you must see it in action to understand. Because what is editing if not a teaching opportunity.
Weird. I also had to hold my breath in algebra class.
I don't have lupus, but as of yesterday I'm officially diagnosed as iron deficient! Does that count? Enough tragedy juice for a bio-pic?
My doctor says the iron stuff is why my hair is falling out... but I tried to tell her I'm GOING BALD OBVIOUSLY because of all the testosterone pumping through the veins of my RIPPLING ABS! When she questioned this assertion, I even showed her my dick and bent her over the exam table. You know, just to prove a point! But she still didn't believe me. I'm just TOO PRETTY to be taken seriously!!!
That said, Hollywood likes to hurt and kill pretty girls, so maybe the end of MY author movie will be nice and gruesome to make up for Flannery's fart of a fade-out! A girl can dream.
Good news Krissy - semen is a legit iron source…..
I wasn't eating an orange after every blow job to help with absorption! Next time.
Amateur
Maybe you need to go to Mass more? You NEVER see a bald Jesus.
It is really scandalous, Jesus's hair, isn't it? A social ruckus. One of my favorite bits from King of the Hill is when a rock band member says to Hank, "Even Jesus had long hair," and Hank responds, "That's because I wasn't his dad!!!" Anyway, I have what it takes to be a cult leader either bald or billowing! Your only life-task now is to live long enough to watch the film adaptation of my short story where a salesman steals one of my breast implants. And when I have a teaching Substack of my own, you'll be a part of the newsletter describing the inspiration for the story. All writers are just a part of a giant snake eating its own tail! Okay. I'm done talking now.
I loved "Infamous." I wish I wish I wish I could have attended movie night. That sounds so fun. I consume everything Capote. What did you think of the movie "Capote" and the new "The Swans" with Capote? I just loved them. I would really like to hear what you think about House of Leaves, Mr Palahniuk! I would just love to know!
I loved Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of Capote was insanely good. I was completely lost in the character. He had this ice quality to him. It was perfect.
This week in Lil' Cheapy news: No one bothers me at the Satanic Temple any more. I ate them all. Mr Greaves promoted me to "The Poet Bard of The Satanic Temple." Feeling pretty good about myself.
That's cool
It is! I just love it! lol
Thanks for the callback Chuck! I wonder what my mom will say when she sees what I made a man and car do together.
Your post got me. I logic’ed that my eyes were broken for half my life, because, when reading, half a page would scan by before I’d wake up and have to back track. But after peeping Fight Club and Reasons to Live and Whores for Gloria, the verb fish hooks kept me on the paper. Currently scaring brain with Dennis Cooper and dipping into Hardcore by Linda Williams. I can see why you teach film often to educate writing.
Since Chuck says to cut fiction like film, I bought a book about film editing, and it gave me some insight about how to use gesture as punctuation.
That sounds fascinating.
I accidentally bought two copies, and reckoned youd say that. Check the post in about a week.
The useful stuff is only about 75 pages. The afterword is interesting but I doubt it will have any useful information for writing. I skipped it.
It was added because of the advent of digital video editing, and thats all it covers.
It should be there by next Wednesday. God willin and the gutters in Portland dont rise.
Don't tell Cole Hale, but he's getting an advance copy of 'Shock Induction' via UPS on Friday...
He sent me a birthday card.
Nice! You've got some seeds on the way as well.
Thanks for the film recommendation. My partner and I loved it. Oscar? The weaving of the short stories into the narrative was brilliant. You know what was also brilliant? The Nicaraguan food we ate at the food carts across the street from the theater after the movie. 🎥
Every damn good dive bar in Portland seems to be closing.
If I weren’t sober, this flood of shuttering would drive me to drink.
It's terrible news indeed. Such a lovely place.
Area of a circle equals π times the radius squared
Just in case.
And I have read books and authors you have recommended.
Seeing your gloves off posts in context is much more helpful than reading books on writing. As you said, we all need to see things in context over and over until we can move from applying a concept to applying it well and consistently.
As a person who obsesses over concepts and bores people often, it’s a good reminder that telling stories and anecdotes is a better idea if I want people to listen.
I concur. Gloves off is very helpful.
So glad you liked the film.
I read Amy Hempel thanks to Chuck's recommendation.
I’m behind, but I find your Gloves Off posts the most helpful and inspiring. (Though, your stories as pop songs posts are a close second). Glad to know Wildcat is a worthwhile watch. You sent me down a Flannery OConnor rabbit hole the other night (meaning, rereading Good Country People and the anthology’s supplemental material (a sampling letters, criticism, etc.)
I hated studying law the way they taught me at my law school because, for the most part of the first two years, it was all about theory, the whole theory, and nothing but the theory. In the exams, you were supposed to reel off all the abstract elements of a contract without ever having seen or laid hands on one. Absurd and unthinkable, I guess, from a Common Law (and also common sense) perspective.
But I don't get along either with those slews of books out there containing 150 pages of anecdotes and examples as padding for just 50 pages of substance (if you're lucky).
Then again, for studying languages, I prefer reading books (including grammar books) over roleplaying and practicing in the classroom.
My point is, both abstraction and concretion (or concept application) have a place as long as they're used well in the right context. It is a moot point, granted, but now that I've made it here, l put it forward anyway.
Just wanted to say that Nami Mun’s Miles From Nowhere you suggested years ago is one my favourite books of all time.
Too bad that seems to be her only novel.
Same. I really enjoyed it as well. Along with a ton of other titles I now own and have read thanks to Chuck!
Side note: I can’t read smut or memoir anymore— I quickly loose interest as to how bad it really is. It’s like trying to describe a vibrant dream you just had— no color, just words with no craftsmanship, leaving the reader uninvolved. I get what Chuck has been teaching in that regard!!!
Hey Kerri! Miss talking with ya. Hope you're doing well <3
Also, I'm sorry to hear poorly written smut ruined the genre as a hole. I know it's a typo but...that just seemed fitting. I love bad smut because it makes me laugh out loud. And I mean smut that doesn't take itself seriously. I guess that's the difference.