I'm the cheaper Atlanta winner, and I want to say how much I appreciated the prize package. It really brought us (my whole household gathered 'round while it was unboxed) a ton of joy, and I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into sending it... and into sharing these writing tips. Thanks, Chuck!
Would it be correct or a stretch to imply that Anton Chigurah (Javier Bardem’s character) from ‘No Country for Old Men’ is the gun/clock in the narrative? He demonstrates from the first scene he’s in (which is the first scene) that he’s extremely dangerous, and as we later find out: extremely tenacious. He could be considered kind of a ‘living gun’ in this sense as he’s the ‘metaphorical gun’ and a literal gun for hire.
Or is Chigurah's coin the gun? I suggest this because the final climax is Chigurah getting hit by a car -- all that "stops" him is a random act of chance. "No Country' is so odd because so much of the ending is anticlimax: Llewelyn is killed by drug dealers, Chigurah basically gets away free, and the sheriff gives up. It's a weird fable about fate, and it wouldn't feel so neat without the coin. I'm not sure though.
I’m game for this discussion. To me, it seems unlikely that a person would represent both the gun and the clock. Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) seems like a better fit for the clock metaphor. Before batteries almost all clocks would be wound and would proceed to unwind, just as Llewelyn’s designs and his physical condition continue to unravel/fall apart. I’ve seen one interpretation of the film version that has posited that Anton is not even meant to be real, but merely a figment of Llewelyn’s imagination https://youtu.be/UadjAc-zXVI. To dissect further, Anton’s firearm is actually fictional https://youtu.be/QDvmd0nenW0. So, while I’m open to a form of Llewelyn/Anton being a split reference to the gun/clock metaphor, “No Country” (the film) doesn’t seem to lend itself easily to interpretation. It’s a cat and mouse tale interspersed with a third party. Maybe Tommy Lee Jones is the better clock? The Father Time analogy strikes me as apt.
....and I was one of the Europe winners, so thanks once again and I can't wait to receive it! Sorry it cost so much, but it will be received with huge amounts of gratitude.
I think the "gun" you are referring to is a little different but similar to the gun being referred to in pop culture lately. Examine these three music videos (there are a ton more but these three describe it the best):
Black Pink DU-DU DDU-DU(multiple references, "HIT you with that DU-DU DDU-DU")
They each talk about "shooting" someone metaphorically. At least that's the implication. The shooting has an effect on the person which is also described in many of the videos as well.
In "More" by Flying Lotus and Anderson Paak "your ego is your seed" which gets watered (Did you catch how?) and then the person grows and sets on fire.
Charli gives us her take on it with a slightly different angle and introducing some other references like the car in her video "Gone". (What's the car? Did you like the winner of the Palm D'Or at Cannes this year?)
Even more recently is Halsey "Girl is A Gun" with similar implications.
Would love to talk more and see if there is some intersection between what you are talking about and the references in these music videos!
In 'The Incredibles' the gun is the super hero cape. I think the clock is Jack-Jack and the baby sitter (the family has to come home and rescue the sitter at some point).
Is an object easier to hide than a dynamic? I'd guess that the dynamic has to stay around with the story longer so does that lessen the surprise, or does it work more like the clock? Like, you know they're gonna get found out, but it's just a question of when?
Also, don't you worry about the quiz time putting Europeans at an advantage, any help with rigging the quiz is appreciated. I mean... NOT rigging (if you can send the questions out ahead of time, that'd be great).
Unfortunately, I work in a garage and would sleep all day if I could. Like a junkyard dog. I wish I had the sort of stamina where I could stay up late.
I am always surprised and grateful that you can respond to one of my rambling questions by condensing a pretty complicated answer into a sentence or two.
Can this be a character motivation shift that’s inevitable?
When Michael Corleone tells Kate he’ll never be like his family in the opening sequence of Godfather, is him joining the criminal family the gun, or is that something else?
Chuck, would you consider setting extra credit no prizes homework? I love the thinking and learning and discussing of it all, so would happily do these kinds of exercises more often for no reward other than feed back, debates, opinions, whatever 😁. Great post by the way, looking forward to the quiz.
Hello Emily. I agree fully. The no-prize homework will most likely take the form of discussion threads or writing prompts. Once this week is over, and I'm home, I'll focus in that direction.
But I do like how the Quiz keeps people on their toes. So the Quiz will continue on a monthly basis.
Hello Chuck? (I guess our new through-line?) Are you ok there? Here on Planet Canada they are talking of tempests of biblical proportions all along the Pacific Coast.
2) Our famous astronaut Chris Hadfield just released his first novel "The Apollo Murders". There's a gun on the spaceship. He uses it as a literary device (as you mention) but it is based on a true story.
Ah, Canada. No cyclone here, yet. But thanks to The Canadian Tree Company for the 12-foot inflatable pumpkins that will line my driveway for this weekend's party.
Thanks for supporting our economy! :) Maybe tree sales were slow and they had to branch out. ;) (pun might have been intended.. it's instinctual by now)
Is there a name for when you introduce an object/sound/thing at the beginning of a chapter/section and then give it purpose at the end? For example, in Greener Pastures, at the beginning of Part 7, we hear the printer thumping, and at the end we learn that little sister is printing Missing Dog flyers.
What’s JRE?
I believe it’s proper name is The Joe Rogan Experience: Ooh Ooh Ah Ah
Yeah, the cat that dumps the villain out the window... where does that come from!?
I'm the cheaper Atlanta winner, and I want to say how much I appreciated the prize package. It really brought us (my whole household gathered 'round while it was unboxed) a ton of joy, and I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into sending it... and into sharing these writing tips. Thanks, Chuck!
that makes a great news chyron... Kimber: Cheaper Atlanta Winner
Happy to do it. Congratulations!
This quiz is going to be fantastic. Thanks for doing this, Chuck!
Would it be correct or a stretch to imply that Anton Chigurah (Javier Bardem’s character) from ‘No Country for Old Men’ is the gun/clock in the narrative? He demonstrates from the first scene he’s in (which is the first scene) that he’s extremely dangerous, and as we later find out: extremely tenacious. He could be considered kind of a ‘living gun’ in this sense as he’s the ‘metaphorical gun’ and a literal gun for hire.
Or is Chigurah's coin the gun? I suggest this because the final climax is Chigurah getting hit by a car -- all that "stops" him is a random act of chance. "No Country' is so odd because so much of the ending is anticlimax: Llewelyn is killed by drug dealers, Chigurah basically gets away free, and the sheriff gives up. It's a weird fable about fate, and it wouldn't feel so neat without the coin. I'm not sure though.
I’m game for this discussion. To me, it seems unlikely that a person would represent both the gun and the clock. Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) seems like a better fit for the clock metaphor. Before batteries almost all clocks would be wound and would proceed to unwind, just as Llewelyn’s designs and his physical condition continue to unravel/fall apart. I’ve seen one interpretation of the film version that has posited that Anton is not even meant to be real, but merely a figment of Llewelyn’s imagination https://youtu.be/UadjAc-zXVI. To dissect further, Anton’s firearm is actually fictional https://youtu.be/QDvmd0nenW0. So, while I’m open to a form of Llewelyn/Anton being a split reference to the gun/clock metaphor, “No Country” (the film) doesn’t seem to lend itself easily to interpretation. It’s a cat and mouse tale interspersed with a third party. Maybe Tommy Lee Jones is the better clock? The Father Time analogy strikes me as apt.
....and I was one of the Europe winners, so thanks once again and I can't wait to receive it! Sorry it cost so much, but it will be received with huge amounts of gratitude.
at $150 USD for shipping it must be pretty big and/or heavy...
Very interesting!
I think the "gun" you are referring to is a little different but similar to the gun being referred to in pop culture lately. Examine these three music videos (there are a ton more but these three describe it the best):
Black Pink DU-DU DDU-DU(multiple references, "HIT you with that DU-DU DDU-DU")
https://youtu.be/IHNzOHi8sJs
Flying Lotus feat Anderson Paak - More (the robot "shoots" the astronaut)
https://youtu.be/ylqBPksn36A
Charli XcX - Gone (subtle, but it's there if you pay attention)
https://youtu.be/chSZCtLrgz8
They each talk about "shooting" someone metaphorically. At least that's the implication. The shooting has an effect on the person which is also described in many of the videos as well.
In "More" by Flying Lotus and Anderson Paak "your ego is your seed" which gets watered (Did you catch how?) and then the person grows and sets on fire.
Charli gives us her take on it with a slightly different angle and introducing some other references like the car in her video "Gone". (What's the car? Did you like the winner of the Palm D'Or at Cannes this year?)
Even more recently is Halsey "Girl is A Gun" with similar implications.
Would love to talk more and see if there is some intersection between what you are talking about and the references in these music videos!
Let me know if you want to go on a wild elephant hunting safari... metaphorically speaking
In 'The Incredibles' the gun is the super hero cape. I think the clock is Jack-Jack and the baby sitter (the family has to come home and rescue the sitter at some point).
Is an object easier to hide than a dynamic? I'd guess that the dynamic has to stay around with the story longer so does that lessen the surprise, or does it work more like the clock? Like, you know they're gonna get found out, but it's just a question of when?
Also, don't you worry about the quiz time putting Europeans at an advantage, any help with rigging the quiz is appreciated. I mean... NOT rigging (if you can send the questions out ahead of time, that'd be great).
I need all the help I can get.
Time zones are irrelevant to me since I work from home and barely sleep.
Unfortunately, I work in a garage and would sleep all day if I could. Like a junkyard dog. I wish I had the sort of stamina where I could stay up late.
In a way the gun is always a dynamic: A child with asthma, or exploding stove. It's something we're warned could happen at any time.
I am always surprised and grateful that you can respond to one of my rambling questions by condensing a pretty complicated answer into a sentence or two.
And jealous.
Can this be a character motivation shift that’s inevitable?
When Michael Corleone tells Kate he’ll never be like his family in the opening sequence of Godfather, is him joining the criminal family the gun, or is that something else?
Chuck, would you consider setting extra credit no prizes homework? I love the thinking and learning and discussing of it all, so would happily do these kinds of exercises more often for no reward other than feed back, debates, opinions, whatever 😁. Great post by the way, looking forward to the quiz.
Emily is my kind of girl!
I second this!! ♥️
Hello Emily. I agree fully. The no-prize homework will most likely take the form of discussion threads or writing prompts. Once this week is over, and I'm home, I'll focus in that direction.
But I do like how the Quiz keeps people on their toes. So the Quiz will continue on a monthly basis.
Oh yes, I wasn't suggesting you should stop the quiz. 😊
Hello Chuck? (I guess our new through-line?) Are you ok there? Here on Planet Canada they are talking of tempests of biblical proportions all along the Pacific Coast.
2) Our famous astronaut Chris Hadfield just released his first novel "The Apollo Murders". There's a gun on the spaceship. He uses it as a literary device (as you mention) but it is based on a true story.
Ah, Canada. No cyclone here, yet. But thanks to The Canadian Tree Company for the 12-foot inflatable pumpkins that will line my driveway for this weekend's party.
Thanks for supporting our economy! :) Maybe tree sales were slow and they had to branch out. ;) (pun might have been intended.. it's instinctual by now)
Is there a name for when you introduce an object/sound/thing at the beginning of a chapter/section and then give it purpose at the end? For example, in Greener Pastures, at the beginning of Part 7, we hear the printer thumping, and at the end we learn that little sister is printing Missing Dog flyers.
Love that you're going back on Rogan. The first time you were on was phenomenal and my mind was blown! Can't wait to hear the new episode!
Chuck, would you say that every story/novel absolutely needs a clock and a gun? Or at least one of the two?
Got a question.
Will every story I create require a gun and/or a clock?