Sometimes, when I think I’m writing about a certain conflict, I don’t realize I’ve actually been writing about an entirely different conflict until I’ve finished my first draft.
The hard part has been letting myself see that instead of trying to force my own will on it.
You've hit on the magic. The trick seems to work best when you're not really aware you're writing about the core conflict. It's later when you slap your head and think 'Of course'.
“You express and exhaust your attachment to a conflict, and the conflict vanishes.”
My first draft is a trauma dump. And then the internal conflict vanished, as it does when you write about it to exhaustion. The final draft is more of an actual story, laid over the reality, rather than just a series of traumatic vignettes. But I needed that raw, tragic emotion from the first draft to give the final draft its depth.
I also like how turning it into an actual piece of work distances yourself from the topic, you know? You work through all the shit, then by polishing it, I almost feel like it gives me that control that trauma lacks? Like, it no longer can take control over me, because here I am, taking control over it (by judging its narrative flow and editing and whatnot).
Unrelated but you have mentioned a few times about WW II veterans being extremely reluctant to talk about or write about their war experiences directly. Last weekend I was up at 4 am and put on Book TV and saw a lecture regarding a book called I Will Tell No War Stories which discusses this and in particular the experiences of bomber crews.
Do you recall the odd "drinking buddy" scene at the opening of "Slaughterhouse 5"? It's strange how that gives the story the weight of memoir, Vonnegut's experience; otherwise, the rest of the book could be dismissed as sci-fi. The two-guys-recollecting-the-war porch seems so oddly grafted on, but it's intrinsic to making the "unstuck in time" part work.
Woo-woo up the wazoo: I just recommended Deathtrap to one of my coworkers. I work in finance now, and I got choose where our company makes charitable donations.
Actually, skip me. I'm poking around in the comments and there are stories that deserve attention muchly more. Plus I had a turn in the way back machine anyway.
Max! I've spent a week reading and rereading your work... and I'm still stumped. Is there a code key that would help me -- your slowest reader -- understand the story? I ask with sincere interest.
My only concern is why the protagonist would go to such a painfully short length when they only needed to hear that it was in their power to avoid shtupping “Chocolate Thunder”. 🤷
Haha… no worries! Yea, I hearya, basically it’s a man of the cloth writing a letter/epistle in the style of the King James Bible’s Pauline epistles because that’s what he’s been reading all his life and that’s the format he’s familiar with. Now, this man of the cloth has had some ‘issues’ to say the least (lol) and he’s now trying to make amends to the ppl he’s wronged in the past. He does that as a step in the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program (there’s a bit there where he describes meeting his sponsor and it reads like he’d just had a vision of Jesus, much like “St.”Paul, which is why the sponsor’s lines are in red/italics). So first in line for apology is this titular pimp (and his ho Chocolate Thunder)… to which he makes amends in his own special way… etc… But yea, I’ve had all kinds of reactions to this story, which is why I wanted to get another opinion before continuing the series LOL… I mean, it did get published, even won an award, so when ppl click with it they really like it. But it’s clearly not for everyone. Thx again for even considering it, greatly appreciated!!
That’s fascinating, Chuck. “Rosemary’s Baby” scared the shit out of me in high school. I almost didn’t finish the book because I suspected it was a conduit for Satan to cross into me.
Here’s my hat
💍
https://open.substack.com/pub/mattandersen/p/forevermore?r=1epxph&utm_medium=ios
No one’s started the comment section with a gloves-off submission? We are civilizing.
I was wondering when you were going to make a post about this. Any ideas on when The Cavern story night will take place?
The Cavern is being rebranded. When the painters are out I'll stop in to say Hello.
Hello Chuck! I'm trying to incorporate your advice into humor writing. I'd love to get your thoughts on this:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17WBRwFn7gFb3VNTIq_Ba06Jh89TA34mp9yD__81y6uc/edit?usp=sharing
Thanks. Short humor fiction is my favorite. Fran Lebowitz, Peg Bracken, Shirley Jackson, E.B.White, Erma Bombeck. I'll take a look.
Sometimes, when I think I’m writing about a certain conflict, I don’t realize I’ve actually been writing about an entirely different conflict until I’ve finished my first draft.
The hard part has been letting myself see that instead of trying to force my own will on it.
You've hit on the magic. The trick seems to work best when you're not really aware you're writing about the core conflict. It's later when you slap your head and think 'Of course'.
Figuring out what your subconscious is up to after months of writing is a wondrous feeling. Moments of realization are the best. Clarity.
Why not mine!? https://candicec.substack.com/p/lilith-good-clean-fun
No offense. I just wanted to include some new voices. I'll take a look!
Thank you so much!
“You express and exhaust your attachment to a conflict, and the conflict vanishes.”
My first draft is a trauma dump. And then the internal conflict vanished, as it does when you write about it to exhaustion. The final draft is more of an actual story, laid over the reality, rather than just a series of traumatic vignettes. But I needed that raw, tragic emotion from the first draft to give the final draft its depth.
I also like how turning it into an actual piece of work distances yourself from the topic, you know? You work through all the shit, then by polishing it, I almost feel like it gives me that control that trauma lacks? Like, it no longer can take control over me, because here I am, taking control over it (by judging its narrative flow and editing and whatnot).
Yes! That’s been my exact experience!
If what youre telling me is true, Im never gonna sleep with someone crazier than me ever again after this story gets into the æther.
Mixed emotions.
Have you ever posted about the times that writing came to pass in real life?
Unrelated but you have mentioned a few times about WW II veterans being extremely reluctant to talk about or write about their war experiences directly. Last weekend I was up at 4 am and put on Book TV and saw a lecture regarding a book called I Will Tell No War Stories which discusses this and in particular the experiences of bomber crews.
That’s interesting. The WWII vets in my family rarely talked about it either.
Do you recall the odd "drinking buddy" scene at the opening of "Slaughterhouse 5"? It's strange how that gives the story the weight of memoir, Vonnegut's experience; otherwise, the rest of the book could be dismissed as sci-fi. The two-guys-recollecting-the-war porch seems so oddly grafted on, but it's intrinsic to making the "unstuck in time" part work.
I read it recently. It felt very real to me. More so than when I read it when I was younger.
Just reread it. And the other guy said he didn’t remember much and was reluctant to talk about, giving the coming terror weight.
Conflict you say? Got tons! But I like all these new writers that get introduced to me by your gloves off series. So I’ll step aside.
For now.
I would be happy if you decided to read the following:
https://open.substack.com/pub/kevinpaulglick/p/mow-my-lawn?r=wwjfy&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Woo-woo up the wazoo: I just recommended Deathtrap to one of my coworkers. I work in finance now, and I got choose where our company makes charitable donations.
300 bones to the puppies of the Pixie Project.
Throwing this back out for the hook.
https://open.substack.com/pub/coltonmerris/p/penalty-24p01119?r=stjp9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Actually, skip me. I'm poking around in the comments and there are stories that deserve attention muchly more. Plus I had a turn in the way back machine anyway.
https://open.substack.com/pub/maxvcarp/p/the-first-epistle-to-carmelo-deandre?r=11v1xt&utm_medium=ios
Max! I've spent a week reading and rereading your work... and I'm still stumped. Is there a code key that would help me -- your slowest reader -- understand the story? I ask with sincere interest.
My only concern is why the protagonist would go to such a painfully short length when they only needed to hear that it was in their power to avoid shtupping “Chocolate Thunder”. 🤷
I am shtupped.
Haha… no worries! Yea, I hearya, basically it’s a man of the cloth writing a letter/epistle in the style of the King James Bible’s Pauline epistles because that’s what he’s been reading all his life and that’s the format he’s familiar with. Now, this man of the cloth has had some ‘issues’ to say the least (lol) and he’s now trying to make amends to the ppl he’s wronged in the past. He does that as a step in the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step program (there’s a bit there where he describes meeting his sponsor and it reads like he’d just had a vision of Jesus, much like “St.”Paul, which is why the sponsor’s lines are in red/italics). So first in line for apology is this titular pimp (and his ho Chocolate Thunder)… to which he makes amends in his own special way… etc… But yea, I’ve had all kinds of reactions to this story, which is why I wanted to get another opinion before continuing the series LOL… I mean, it did get published, even won an award, so when ppl click with it they really like it. But it’s clearly not for everyone. Thx again for even considering it, greatly appreciated!!
Throwing my hat in as well.
Would love to hear your take on this Chuck!
https://open.substack.com/pub/harrynill/p/faith?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=17x5c7
That’s fascinating, Chuck. “Rosemary’s Baby” scared the shit out of me in high school. I almost didn’t finish the book because I suspected it was a conduit for Satan to cross into me.