(I did, however, reference the workshop on Twitter two days ago and included in the tweet, “I am Jack’s unbridled anticipation.” Risky, I know, but Chuck himself re-tweeted it, so I think I’m good.)ģ) The third rule of Write Club is you do not bring all your copies of Chuck’s books to Write Club for him to sign. (Except when blogging, or chatting with family and friends, or standing next to a total stranger in the grocery store checkout line, or sitting next to one on a flight to Write Club.)Ģ) The second rule of Write Club is you do not try to make clever references or allusions to Fight Club (or any other of Chuck’s books) during Write Club. To help ensure I don’t do anything to annoy or irk my idol during the workshop, I’ve come up with eight Fight Club-style rules for me to follow:ġ) The first rule of Write Club is you do not talk about Write Club. Now, some of you may be thinking that blogging about how giddy I am about the workshop would be reason enough for Chuck to want to punch me, but that’s ludicrous. Few things can ruin a writer’s confidence or career more than getting punched in the face by an author they idolize. My biggest concern – aside from delayed or cancelled flights causing me to miss any of the workshop sessions – is meeting Chuck… and doing something that causes him to want to fight me in an underground brawl. On Monday, February 27, I’ll be flying out to Portland (from my home in Austin) to join fifteen other extremely fortunate writers for the initial session of the Writing Wrong Workshop, where the master of modern trangressive fiction will encourage us to challenge conventional writing rules and, I think, fight each other in underground brawls.Īs honored and as thrilled as I am, I do have some concerns. After reading the email and note six times, I did what any serious writer and Palahniuk fan would do: I soiled myself. The message even included a personal note of praise from Chuck himself about the writing sample I submitted. Then I knocked over my wife and daughter en route to my writing nook to get started on my application.Ī week later I received an email from the writing institute that’s sponsoring the workshop, letting me know I’d been accepted. So, when I read that Chuck was going to be leading a ten-session writing workshop (something authors of his magnitude almost NEVER do), and that only a handful of applicants would be selected to participate, I did what any serious writer and Palahniuk fan would do: I screeched like a schoolgirl. (Well, living author, anyway – it’s hard to compete with dead Russians.) He’s not only my favorite author of dark humor he’s my favorite author period. In twelve days, I’ll meet the man who’s number one on that list.įor those unfamiliar with Palahniuk, he wrote Fight Club (yes, it was an amazing novel before it was an amazing movie) as well as Survivor, Choke, Invisible Monsters and numerous other brilliant best-selling books. Relax and enjoy your drink- you've earned it.Not too long ago, I wrote a piece about my all-time favorite authors of dark comedic fiction. You've succeeded in the (not so) ancient Irish tradition of the 12 Pubs of Christmas. At least it's intentional this time.Ĭongratulations lads, you've made it. You can guess- get up on that dance floor and make an absolute fool of yourself. Have a round of Never Have I Ever and spill your most embarrassing secrets. The guaranteed way to ensure everyone present wakes up with the fear the next day. But if they're not up for it, accept it, move on and ask someone else don't be a mog. Find a friendly looking stranger and ask them to take a selfie with you. We're a friendly bunch even when stone cold sober, so this one should be no problem. You'll likely be a little wobbly at this point of the trip, so watch yourself! Raise your pint up high in salute to your fellow revellers- and keep it there the entire time, lowering it only to take a drink from your glass.
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