I haven’t actually read a book by Chuck Palahniuk since his 2010 release Tell-All, which is also the year I met him, and helped organized his event here in Calgary. His writing memoir Consider This, Moments in my Writing Life After Which Everything Was Different features many stories of his various book tours because they are zany book events that typically feature strange objects being hurled into the audience. This book came out in January 2020, but he’s extremely prolific, constantly writing, so he has an even newer book released last month tiled The Invention of Sound. He’s a difficult author to keep up with, but he has rabid fans who consume everything he writes, so he’s also wildly successful. Palahniuk doesn’t have his own website, but his fans made him a beautiful site that you can refer to for updates on his career (I told you he had devoted fans!).
In this video I talk about why this book is so fun to read, the special brand of Palahniuk that’s on display, and some of the highlights of his writing advice. I should state that this book is really only for those who want to write fiction. Even though he has a degree in journalism all his writing ideas and prompts are relevant to those who want to make up stories, the more outrageous, the better. Some of the best stories in this particular book are stories that were told to Palahniuk, so all the more reason to give this one a go.
If you watch all the way to the end you’ll also see I’m going to run a contest on my instagram page where I’ll be giving away my 2019 short story advent calendar. This is a hefty prize and it will be open to all of North America so do join in the fun here.
I’ve been meaning to read this – thanks for the review – I’m going to put it back on my pile 🙂
It’s a quirky little book for sure-part memoir part writing manual
Oh, man. That cover image makes me cringe!!! It looks like I feel like I have slivers under my finger nails. Gah! I love that Chuck P. is in a writing group with Lidia Yuknavitch and Chelsea Cain. I mean, I’m not sure the group still meets, but I know they did for a long time (and may still??). I’ll watch the video after work, but I had to comment on that cover!
I know! That cover made me cringe too
Yes, that cover indeed! Ouch. I’ve only read some random essays over the years. I’ve enjoyed them well enough, but I guess not enough to actually chase down anything longer? That’s a great idea to offer up your advent calendar. I love that they can be enjoyed in multiple years because there are always 31 days in December!
And, the calendar only runs from Dec. 1-25, so it’s easy to read year-to-year
I always forget that and remember having been disappointed when it ended so (at least it seemed so, to me) abruptly!
Lost in a good book is my 2020 coping strategy too (okay, maybe Netflix as well.) 😉
Have you been watching The Haunting of Bly Manor on Netflix? I’m thinking of starting that one…
No, I’ve been watching Bake Off and Emily in Paris – the lighter end of the spectrum! LOL.
We just watched Enola Holmes on Sunday, and I can see you liking that one!
Oh I did watch that and really liked it!
I’d be too scared! Scary books is just about all I can manage, seeing it on screen is too much haha
I always forget which of my blog friends are scared of most things vs. the ones that are like, “yeah, horror!!!!!”
hahaha
I finally got to the video portion! Your description of Palahniuk making his events like concerts reminds me of Irvine Welsh of Trainspotting fame, who also has those rabid, die-hard fans. I saw Welsh in Chicago, and it was surreal the way there were lights and him running around a bit as he was reading. No blow-up devices, though! I’ve also encountered a couple of writers (Davis Schneiderman and Salvador Plascencia) who are both more small-press, academic types who can come off like a Carrot Top version of writers!
Yes, there’s a ton of comparisons btw Chuck and Irvine, which is spot-on. Interesting they are both sort of ‘masculine’ writers too
They’re definitely dudes writing for dudes.
yes, very very true.
It’s odd how some authors develop these cult-like fan bases, isn’t it? I guess it’s a bit like Star Trek conventions – that feeling of being in with the in-crowd. Looking forward to the chocolate advent calendar reviews… 😀