I love that, despite the strict story criteria, that you've managed to make something so lyrical. Excellent rhythm and escalating tension. If this is what you produce when you're stuck, I can't wait to see what you write when you're not in a rut!
Thank you, Matt, your comments are very encouraging. And glad you felt the tension in there. Sometimes after re-reading something over and over again so many times, I'm not sure anymore!
This is an excellent thought. Anticipating something is nearly always better than receiving or experiencing the thing. Reverse anxiety. It ties to dopamine, the chemical of motivation.
Right, John--that dopamine!! That's what I'm after. How to create that constant feeling of anticipation. Sometimes it will be dull, almost in the background, other times it should be right at the cusp of something. Percy goes on to say that once you give the release, you must raise another question to carry that feeling through. Very interesting book. I read it a few years back and now am back into it, reading more slowly and taking notes while I do.
Invisible Monsters was my introduction to Chuck in 2005. I am 100 pages into reading it right now, and its super interesting to see all of the devices. To read analytically. Im also kind of sad that I will never be able to consume another story of any kind without analyzing it. Didnt really want to know how the doughnuts were made. Also been listening to Consider This on audio over and over. It reinforces the rules and mechanics and gives me ideas every time.
Youngstown gave me some confidence. Turned some other corner recently and Im certain that I can make a living from this simply by refusing to quit.
Yes, refusing to quit, continuing to improve your writing, repeat, I think this is what it takes! Keep that momentum from Youngstown. You've got what it takes, John!
Consider This is by far the best mechanics book I've ever read. Stuff you can instantly apply to your work.
I'll have to check out Invisible Monsters. So many books, so little time!
Its my favorite by Chuck, and I believe it was written before Fight Club. His first. But published after. Think that the audio version is free on youtube too.
Pity the Reader and On Writing are both very good too. But in different ways.
Pity the Reader? Never heard of it! I'll have to check that out. On Writing--yes, and yes, in a different way. It's one I re-read every five or so years.
I can’t get over that like three of you thought “knob” even though the verb used was “turn”??!! Whatever I will get over it I guess. Just shaking my head for not catching that.
I’d argue no word is safe. My kids watch Spidey Friends on Disney Jr and they often shorten the Green Goblin to “Gobby,” for example, “Gobby, your Goblin goo missed me! Now dodge my web spray!” Which if that doesn’t sound questionable already, Apparently “Gobby” is dirty dirty in Australia/New Zealand slang.
I don’t know that I’ve ever actually used “knob” in casual parlance, but I’m aware of terms like”knob gobbler” or the funnier “knob goblin” - no relation to the Green Goblin
I thought this was a good story in and of itself but then I realized it was a exercise and you had to use Georgie's words. This is just the kind of thing I need know. I'm working on a masterpiece (no pressure!) and am writing myself into one dead end after another... :( Thanks for this–Fresh Meat never disappoints!
Hi Jack! Thanks for reading! Actually the exercise is you get to use your own words, but only 50 unique ones. And then using those 50 words of your choice, you have to limit the story length to 200 words! Try it! It's super fun!! :) There's more info on how to do the exercise (from the George himself) in the footnotes.
Excellent article. Funny, as a kid I was all about R.L. Stine because horror + kissing. But I guess Judy Blume was where it was at!!! As a kid, my Judy Blume was Superfudge and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Little did I know what secrets her other books held for the mind of a teenage girl! If only... I did my catch-up Judy Blume reading as an adult. The woman is a legend.
All the girls in my 8th grade middle school were talking about "Ralph."
There were no boys named Ralph in the school as far as I knew. Nor did I have any clue that "Ralph" was a "character" in the Blume book they were
all passing around—but I knew it was something "secretive."
When I finally copped-on to what "Ralph" meant—or maybe I heard some other kid refer to his private area as "Ralph"—it was the first place I went when reading your terrific story. Danke!
Ralph, if you can hear this, you're drinking the wrong coffee. I can't tell you any more than that, I'm taking a big enough risk just contacting you. Good luck my friend.
I love some good use of repetition, I’ve found it gives a story a pulse.
(Also, nice avatar!)
Thank you, Matt! Your comparison of repetition being like a pulse is spot on. Thank you for reading :)
Mmmm. Tension.
Thanks for reading, Amran!
Never miss an issue! :-)
I like it. The rhythm. The repetition.
Thanks, Robb!
I love that, despite the strict story criteria, that you've managed to make something so lyrical. Excellent rhythm and escalating tension. If this is what you produce when you're stuck, I can't wait to see what you write when you're not in a rut!
Thank you, Matt, your comments are very encouraging. And glad you felt the tension in there. Sometimes after re-reading something over and over again so many times, I'm not sure anymore!
This is an excellent thought. Anticipating something is nearly always better than receiving or experiencing the thing. Reverse anxiety. It ties to dopamine, the chemical of motivation.
Right, John--that dopamine!! That's what I'm after. How to create that constant feeling of anticipation. Sometimes it will be dull, almost in the background, other times it should be right at the cusp of something. Percy goes on to say that once you give the release, you must raise another question to carry that feeling through. Very interesting book. I read it a few years back and now am back into it, reading more slowly and taking notes while I do.
Invisible Monsters was my introduction to Chuck in 2005. I am 100 pages into reading it right now, and its super interesting to see all of the devices. To read analytically. Im also kind of sad that I will never be able to consume another story of any kind without analyzing it. Didnt really want to know how the doughnuts were made. Also been listening to Consider This on audio over and over. It reinforces the rules and mechanics and gives me ideas every time.
Youngstown gave me some confidence. Turned some other corner recently and Im certain that I can make a living from this simply by refusing to quit.
Yes, refusing to quit, continuing to improve your writing, repeat, I think this is what it takes! Keep that momentum from Youngstown. You've got what it takes, John!
Consider This is by far the best mechanics book I've ever read. Stuff you can instantly apply to your work.
I'll have to check out Invisible Monsters. So many books, so little time!
Grab the Remix edition!
Thanks for the tip!
It’s the same, but has 3 (or 4?) hidden essays
Its my favorite by Chuck, and I believe it was written before Fight Club. His first. But published after. Think that the audio version is free on youtube too.
Pity the Reader and On Writing are both very good too. But in different ways.
Pity the Reader? Never heard of it! I'll have to check that out. On Writing--yes, and yes, in a different way. It's one I re-read every five or so years.
Pity the Reader is a bunch of Kurt Vonneguts comments on writing compiled into creative non fiction by one of his students.
Knob here is literal for door handle and not slang? Either way, turn it, get to Rob!
Rob! Inadvertent rhyme! I meant Ralph! Or Sam! Open both! Knob variety!
Open both. lol.
OMG Wil!!! Seriously, after I posted, the thought briefly crossed my mind: "I hope nobody confuses 'knob' for slang."
You would. 😹
I did.
🤦🏻♀️
I would change to "doorknob" but it just doesn't flow as well! 🤷🏻♀️
Your subconscious did it on purpose.
Is “handle” slang also?
I can’t get over that like three of you thought “knob” even though the verb used was “turn”??!! Whatever I will get over it I guess. Just shaking my head for not catching that.
I’d argue no word is safe. My kids watch Spidey Friends on Disney Jr and they often shorten the Green Goblin to “Gobby,” for example, “Gobby, your Goblin goo missed me! Now dodge my web spray!” Which if that doesn’t sound questionable already, Apparently “Gobby” is dirty dirty in Australia/New Zealand slang.
That does sound dirty and I was going to say gob clearly is the verb for knob but I wasn’t going to go there but you did so there
I went past perhaps, wait a few hours and I’ll remember all my pending usajobs and delete
I don’t know that I’ve ever actually used “knob” in casual parlance, but I’m aware of terms like”knob gobbler” or the funnier “knob goblin” - no relation to the Green Goblin
I thought this was a good story in and of itself but then I realized it was a exercise and you had to use Georgie's words. This is just the kind of thing I need know. I'm working on a masterpiece (no pressure!) and am writing myself into one dead end after another... :( Thanks for this–Fresh Meat never disappoints!
Hi Jack! Thanks for reading! Actually the exercise is you get to use your own words, but only 50 unique ones. And then using those 50 words of your choice, you have to limit the story length to 200 words! Try it! It's super fun!! :) There's more info on how to do the exercise (from the George himself) in the footnotes.
Appreciate it, Maegan. Will have to try it.
Well, I'm sure as hell tense after reading that.
Yum, Maegan. Thanks. 😊
Oh good, glad to hear it had that effect on you! Thank you for reading, Meg!
A Penis Named Ralph, and Everything Else Judy Blume Taught Me https://www.purewow.com/books/judy-blume-ralph
Excellent article. Funny, as a kid I was all about R.L. Stine because horror + kissing. But I guess Judy Blume was where it was at!!! As a kid, my Judy Blume was Superfudge and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Little did I know what secrets her other books held for the mind of a teenage girl! If only... I did my catch-up Judy Blume reading as an adult. The woman is a legend.
Good stuff!
I haven't read Blume yet.
All the girls in my 8th grade middle school were talking about "Ralph."
There were no boys named Ralph in the school as far as I knew. Nor did I have any clue that "Ralph" was a "character" in the Blume book they were
all passing around—but I knew it was something "secretive."
When I finally copped-on to what "Ralph" meant—or maybe I heard some other kid refer to his private area as "Ralph"—it was the first place I went when reading your terrific story. Danke!
Ralph, if you can hear this, you're drinking the wrong coffee. I can't tell you any more than that, I'm taking a big enough risk just contacting you. Good luck my friend.
That’s what I’m saying!
You are the Queen of tension.
Love your stories.
Nika, thank you so much!!!! 🥩🥩🥩