Ah boo. I can't imagine you toning down the smut though.
I used to write stuff like that to my (now) wife when we first started seeing each other. To woo her (so I thought).
A bit like the sort of love letters you find in your grandparents attics, stuffed into old suitcases with photos and dried flowers. Only less about being sealed with a loving kiss and missing poeple during wartime.
Instead, they were a bit more visceral.
None of the letters stored away would have the words 'butt plug' in them. None of the air mailed, handwritten notes would have the word 'spreadeagle' in them. Probably for the best. Nobody needs to reminisce about finding that while they move house.
When I was a student, years ago, I could often hear couples humping though the walls. Laying there (alone), the noises through the walls probably made it sound more fun than the actual sex taking place. Like how fantasy is usually better than reality.
Like how I'd absolutely hate to see myself doing it on camera.
Reality is far too full of flaws.
Imagination is where it's at.
(I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to get this bout of sycophantism out of the way early, but you're absolutely one of my writing heroes and to actually be interacting with you is beyond anything my tiny mind could've imagined.
I'm having to pretend I haven't admired your work since I first read your stuff, because if I don't I'll implode.
Anyway, we can pretend this didn't happen so I can continue to post nonsense to someone who I don't admire so much. Yeah?
Fyi, I met someone who's a friend of Jodie Foster, this week. Let's push for a series based on "The Little Girl Who Lived Down the Lane." The favorite book of all unpopular 13-year-olds.
Hi Chuck. When you were first starting out — when you first wrote Fight Club (while still working full time), did you have plot holes to go back and fix in the story after your first draft was complete? For example, major character decisions that affected earlier writing. What process or advice can you offer on fixing a complex plot that has changed as you wrote it?
I have so many questions I’m going to be asking you over the coming months. Last year during COVID I locked myself in my house and was extremely depressed. I came across Fight Club and it changed everything for me. It made me realize that there was a different way I could write and that I actually could be a writer. Currently I write robotics equipment contracts for a living.
Not long after that I read Consider This. Now I’ve been hammering away at your recommended reading list. At this point I’ve read Denis Johnson, Nami Mun, Amy Hempel, Thom Jones, Douglas Copeland, and Lewis Hyde. I feel so far behind as my entire life (I’m 35) I’ve been reading mainstream grocery store authors (not that those aren’t talented folks in their own right). During all of this I’ve finished a 55k word manuscript of my first novel. It’s taken roughly a year to write and now I’m going through the first edits to fix plot holes, among many other things.
Anyway, just a heads up that you’re going to see me comment here a lot as I have a ton of questions (even though I have been listening to your interviews on writing incessantly). You have no idea how many times during my writing I’ve wished you were sitting here at my disposal so that I could run an idea by you or understand why I’m stuck or why something isn’t working. I’m determined to put in the work to make the story the best it can be. I want it to be good enough to get published. I really look forward to interacting with you and others on here and am so happy this exists now.
Hello Matt -- Isn't Nami Mun a wonder?! I love that book.
To settle your first question, yes, I leave plot holes, but at least then you know what's missing. For example, I need a montage to get them across the country. Or, I need a flashback to build heart into a character. And often those hole fillers become the best part of a book. In "Invisible Monsters" I wrote the three family flashbacks -- Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. -- as the last bits, but they really shine.
The toughest part of writing is inventing the problem. Once you know the problem -- and it's a great problem -- your job is a breeze.
Thanks so much. That is a huge help. I’ll take a look again at those parts in Invisible Monsters. As a reader turned writer it is so tough to know things like that. Very much appreciate the visibility you’re bringing to the process.
Be warned. Once you see how the little machine of plot works you'll dissect everything you read or watch. Talking to sound engineers while I wrote "The Invention of Sound" has changed how I hear recorded music.
I believe in Chuck's Past-Hotness-to-Future-Batshit Ratio. My mother-in-law was a backcombed and winged eyeliner beauty. Now she sends me YouTube links about COVID-19 and reptilian politicians.
I'm not going to word this correctly, but I think the PHtFBR is the description of Chuck's theory that people are the most interesting (and you want to start/join their story) when they're having to give up everything they've known and go on as someone new.
While he didn't say this TO ME, he was kinda looking in my general direction when he said "What happens when a woman loses her looks and has to navigate through the rest of her life with skills she hasn't had to rely on?" Or something to that effect.
Watch "Can You Ever Forgive Me" with Melissa McCarthy. Within minutes, she is propelled in having to create a new life and the story goes from there.
I liked the whole highbrow premise of pretending to be famous literary hero’s and selling them. Hugh Grant is a gawhd damn gem. We are so lucky to have him. Don’t even get me started on his performance in “Henry & June!” Jennifer Jason Leigh in “Delores Claiborne” though…good shtuff. But I digress. Lol.
Hi Chuck! Thank you for the offer of an inscribed copy of “Beautiful You!” I’m beyond grateful! How do I give you my address? I truly did love it. The cave—- so much meaning there. I make jam— I’d totally send you some!
Hey Chuck, thanks for the always fascinating insights!
Would you consider more comic book work and how is it working with other people to get that vision onto the page compared with what I assume is the relative solitude of your regular writing?
Do you plan on releasing more custom bookmarks with the Pixie Project? I thought I saw something about more coming out in September, but I might’ve been dreaming.
I used to work out with some of the IM models at Gold's Gym in Venice, CA. Mostly shy sweet guys who trained themselves or others all day and ended up looking like human erections. Ironic given the side effects of steroid use. Dennis Hopper worked out there too at that time with his much much younger wife. Oh, Bruce Jenner too, back when he was Bruce.
I've been running a Dungeons and Dragons game for about six years with the same crew of people. It's a bit like serial storytelling in that I'm trying to weave a central narrative through all sorts of bizarre antics my players throw at me. I am definitely feeling the "Maybe this has gone on too long" vibe as I try to wrap up dangling threads and derelict plot points, but I'm doing my best. I'm looking forward to the serial!
Hi Chuck, you've always advocated for what you call transgressive or dangerous writing. I'm wondering if your definition of dangerous writing has evolved in recent years? The social mores of 2021 are definitely not the same as those of 2001. Adjustment Day stood out to me for this reason; thematically it's probably the most dangerous thing I've read in a long time, but then again that's not saying much since the collective consciousness seems to only produce things that are safe and boring.
Do you feel the changing times have impacted your style or subject matter w/r/t DW and are there any other writers out there nowadays producing what you'd consider DW?
Looking forward to all the content! Especially your musings on They Shoot Horses, Don't They? Watched it last night and it was so wonderfully weird and unexpected.
Have you still got copies of the emails?
Hell no. We had a primitive blinking-green cursor system that didn't save anything. It was basically an Etch-A-Sketch plugged into an outlet.
Ah boo. I can't imagine you toning down the smut though.
I used to write stuff like that to my (now) wife when we first started seeing each other. To woo her (so I thought).
A bit like the sort of love letters you find in your grandparents attics, stuffed into old suitcases with photos and dried flowers. Only less about being sealed with a loving kiss and missing poeple during wartime.
Instead, they were a bit more visceral.
None of the letters stored away would have the words 'butt plug' in them. None of the air mailed, handwritten notes would have the word 'spreadeagle' in them. Probably for the best. Nobody needs to reminisce about finding that while they move house.
Fooled you. For years I couldn't write sex scenes (I still can't). That's why the sex in 'Fight Club' came through the walls and only as sound.
When I was a student, years ago, I could often hear couples humping though the walls. Laying there (alone), the noises through the walls probably made it sound more fun than the actual sex taking place. Like how fantasy is usually better than reality.
Like how I'd absolutely hate to see myself doing it on camera.
Reality is far too full of flaws.
Imagination is where it's at.
(I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to get this bout of sycophantism out of the way early, but you're absolutely one of my writing heroes and to actually be interacting with you is beyond anything my tiny mind could've imagined.
I'm having to pretend I haven't admired your work since I first read your stuff, because if I don't I'll implode.
Anyway, we can pretend this didn't happen so I can continue to post nonsense to someone who I don't admire so much. Yeah?
Thanksloveyoubye.)
I am OBSESSED with all of this!
Fyi, I met someone who's a friend of Jodie Foster, this week. Let's push for a series based on "The Little Girl Who Lived Down the Lane." The favorite book of all unpopular 13-year-olds.
Hi Chuck. When you were first starting out — when you first wrote Fight Club (while still working full time), did you have plot holes to go back and fix in the story after your first draft was complete? For example, major character decisions that affected earlier writing. What process or advice can you offer on fixing a complex plot that has changed as you wrote it?
I have so many questions I’m going to be asking you over the coming months. Last year during COVID I locked myself in my house and was extremely depressed. I came across Fight Club and it changed everything for me. It made me realize that there was a different way I could write and that I actually could be a writer. Currently I write robotics equipment contracts for a living.
Not long after that I read Consider This. Now I’ve been hammering away at your recommended reading list. At this point I’ve read Denis Johnson, Nami Mun, Amy Hempel, Thom Jones, Douglas Copeland, and Lewis Hyde. I feel so far behind as my entire life (I’m 35) I’ve been reading mainstream grocery store authors (not that those aren’t talented folks in their own right). During all of this I’ve finished a 55k word manuscript of my first novel. It’s taken roughly a year to write and now I’m going through the first edits to fix plot holes, among many other things.
Anyway, just a heads up that you’re going to see me comment here a lot as I have a ton of questions (even though I have been listening to your interviews on writing incessantly). You have no idea how many times during my writing I’ve wished you were sitting here at my disposal so that I could run an idea by you or understand why I’m stuck or why something isn’t working. I’m determined to put in the work to make the story the best it can be. I want it to be good enough to get published. I really look forward to interacting with you and others on here and am so happy this exists now.
Hello Matt -- Isn't Nami Mun a wonder?! I love that book.
To settle your first question, yes, I leave plot holes, but at least then you know what's missing. For example, I need a montage to get them across the country. Or, I need a flashback to build heart into a character. And often those hole fillers become the best part of a book. In "Invisible Monsters" I wrote the three family flashbacks -- Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. -- as the last bits, but they really shine.
The toughest part of writing is inventing the problem. Once you know the problem -- and it's a great problem -- your job is a breeze.
Thanks so much. That is a huge help. I’ll take a look again at those parts in Invisible Monsters. As a reader turned writer it is so tough to know things like that. Very much appreciate the visibility you’re bringing to the process.
Be warned. Once you see how the little machine of plot works you'll dissect everything you read or watch. Talking to sound engineers while I wrote "The Invention of Sound" has changed how I hear recorded music.
Finding this after finishing Consider This is such a boon. I’ll support financially once I’m earning some money again. Much love from Portland.
I believe in Chuck's Past-Hotness-to-Future-Batshit Ratio. My mother-in-law was a backcombed and winged eyeliner beauty. Now she sends me YouTube links about COVID-19 and reptilian politicians.
Come to think of it, Alex Jones was fairly handsome as a younger man.
Right? You saw that meme, too? I look at that and think: Wah?!
I'm not going to word this correctly, but I think the PHtFBR is the description of Chuck's theory that people are the most interesting (and you want to start/join their story) when they're having to give up everything they've known and go on as someone new.
While he didn't say this TO ME, he was kinda looking in my general direction when he said "What happens when a woman loses her looks and has to navigate through the rest of her life with skills she hasn't had to rely on?" Or something to that effect.
Watch "Can You Ever Forgive Me" with Melissa McCarthy. Within minutes, she is propelled in having to create a new life and the story goes from there.
Wah?! Tiffany you are a dish! I was looking at Eric (who gave me a scented candle because he thinks I fart a lot).
Tiffany—- I LOVED that film and bought/read the book. Major Dorothy Parker fan as well— what a great story— so cunning and devious— loved it.
Me toooo Kerri! Huge Dorothy Parker fan. I’m not a Jennifer Jason Leigh fan but will watch her DP movie again 😍
I liked the whole highbrow premise of pretending to be famous literary hero’s and selling them. Hugh Grant is a gawhd damn gem. We are so lucky to have him. Don’t even get me started on his performance in “Henry & June!” Jennifer Jason Leigh in “Delores Claiborne” though…good shtuff. But I digress. Lol.
Hi Chuck! Thank you for the offer of an inscribed copy of “Beautiful You!” I’m beyond grateful! How do I give you my address? I truly did love it. The cave—- so much meaning there. I make jam— I’d totally send you some!
I was a phone sex operator in the 90’s… damn, that was fun…sometimes. Paid my way through Film/photography school. Lol.
Amazing! You'll have to share some of your stories!
I started writing my newsletter… thank you for the confirmation!!
Kerri -- Thanks for checking back. Please go to The Cult website chuckpalahniuk.net and give Dennis your mailing address. He'll forward it to me.
On it! Thank you for so, so, soooo much!! I’m overly grateful. 🥰
Hey Chuck, thanks for the always fascinating insights!
Would you consider more comic book work and how is it working with other people to get that vision onto the page compared with what I assume is the relative solitude of your regular writing?
Can't wait to read the new novel on substack!!
Do you plan on releasing more custom bookmarks with the Pixie Project? I thought I saw something about more coming out in September, but I might’ve been dreaming.
Next week. Get on the Pixie Mailing list for early notification. Those hundred gifts took me fifteen months to make.
Ничего не понял, но очень интересно
Yeah, that goes double for me, buddy!
Russia love you!!!
Love you back!
I used to work out with some of the IM models at Gold's Gym in Venice, CA. Mostly shy sweet guys who trained themselves or others all day and ended up looking like human erections. Ironic given the side effects of steroid use. Dennis Hopper worked out there too at that time with his much much younger wife. Oh, Bruce Jenner too, back when he was Bruce.
I've been running a Dungeons and Dragons game for about six years with the same crew of people. It's a bit like serial storytelling in that I'm trying to weave a central narrative through all sorts of bizarre antics my players throw at me. I am definitely feeling the "Maybe this has gone on too long" vibe as I try to wrap up dangling threads and derelict plot points, but I'm doing my best. I'm looking forward to the serial!
Hi Chuck, you've always advocated for what you call transgressive or dangerous writing. I'm wondering if your definition of dangerous writing has evolved in recent years? The social mores of 2021 are definitely not the same as those of 2001. Adjustment Day stood out to me for this reason; thematically it's probably the most dangerous thing I've read in a long time, but then again that's not saying much since the collective consciousness seems to only produce things that are safe and boring.
Do you feel the changing times have impacted your style or subject matter w/r/t DW and are there any other writers out there nowadays producing what you'd consider DW?
Looking forward to all the content! Especially your musings on They Shoot Horses, Don't They? Watched it last night and it was so wonderfully weird and unexpected.
This is great Chuck, keep them comming! The darker the better 😏
Oh dear. I have one story called "Magnificent Filth" that will get me drawn and quartered by nice people.
I so wanna read that 😁
It should be released on here for paid subscribers....