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Consider This: Moments in My Writing Life After Which Everything Was Different
by
Renowned, bestselling novelist Chuck Palahniuk takes us behind the scenes of the writing life, with postcards from decades on the road and incredible examination of the power of fiction and the art of storytelling.
In this spellbinding blend of memoir and insight, bestselling author Chuck Palahniuk shares stories and generous advice on what makes writing powerful and what ...more
In this spellbinding blend of memoir and insight, bestselling author Chuck Palahniuk shares stories and generous advice on what makes writing powerful and what ...more
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luv4pez
The author identifies as LGBTQ+. There's nothing in the content of the book that's LGBTQ+.
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Start your review of Consider This: Moments in My Writing Life After Which Everything Was Different
This might be one of the best craft books ever written.
A lot of practical advice and first hand anecdotes by one of the most fascinating authors alive today.
He offers some rules for writers to follow while keeping the reader engaged with tales of his personal writing journey.
He offers some rules for writers to follow while keeping the reader engaged with tales of his personal writing journey.
Feb 11, 2020
Ken
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
contemporary,
finished-in-2020
I've only read one Palahniuk book (Fight Club) and this, like that, is one fast-moving vehicle, which you might not expect from a writing advice book.
On that point, it scores high marks, especially the first half of the book, where advice, some of it unconventional, comes fast and furious after the repetitive device of "If you were my student, I'd tell you...."
A lot of this is insider information. A veteran of writing groups, CP shares advice he learned from writing groups. Then from writers ...more
On that point, it scores high marks, especially the first half of the book, where advice, some of it unconventional, comes fast and furious after the repetitive device of "If you were my student, I'd tell you...."
A lot of this is insider information. A veteran of writing groups, CP shares advice he learned from writing groups. Then from writers ...more
I won this book from a great bookstore and am excited to read it because Ive read fiction books by this author previously.
At only 20 pages in, Im enjoying this book. Seems helpful in a practical not preachy way. One thing mentioned is not to let readers lose track of who is saying what. I would not have been able to articulate this as a reader, or not as well as he has, but I totally agree. Ive read many books, including ones I really liked, where I couldnt tell which characters in the novel ...more
At only 20 pages in, Im enjoying this book. Seems helpful in a practical not preachy way. One thing mentioned is not to let readers lose track of who is saying what. I would not have been able to articulate this as a reader, or not as well as he has, but I totally agree. Ive read many books, including ones I really liked, where I couldnt tell which characters in the novel ...more
I admire CP's distinctive style and his commitment to grafting. I read Fight Club back in 1996 and felt the swagger and heft of his stark and brutal style. Not an author I read anymore but I'm reading everything I can on writing craft and writers' personal experiences of how they develop.
"Welcome to America, our never-ending, great popularity contest. And to capitalism, where likability trumps everything else."
Chuck Palahniuk creates a masterpiece of useful information about writing with bizarre and insightful memories of his own trials and tribulations of writing and book tours.
There was a point where I imagined where Chuck was Jack Torrance from The Shining. Where hes just looking for the right way to blow peoples minds in the most explosive and disgusting way. (Dont ask)
...more
Chuck Palahniuk creates a masterpiece of useful information about writing with bizarre and insightful memories of his own trials and tribulations of writing and book tours.
There was a point where I imagined where Chuck was Jack Torrance from The Shining. Where hes just looking for the right way to blow peoples minds in the most explosive and disgusting way. (Dont ask)
...more
1. Recommended for: Minimalists and/or Palahniuk fans, but you needn't be either to appreciate it, if you ask me.
2. The last time I highlighted a book as much as I did this one, it was Steven Pressfield's The War of Art, which I highlighted so heavily that my Kindle started crashing every time. Worth it; it's one of the books I'm just perpetually reading now, starting over again as soon as I finish.
3. YMMV, of course, but for me...
Okay so sometimes I find a writing book written by someone whose ...more
2. The last time I highlighted a book as much as I did this one, it was Steven Pressfield's The War of Art, which I highlighted so heavily that my Kindle started crashing every time. Worth it; it's one of the books I'm just perpetually reading now, starting over again as soon as I finish.
3. YMMV, of course, but for me...
Okay so sometimes I find a writing book written by someone whose ...more
Really enjoyable read. The writing tips may be useful, if you're I writer. I wouldn't know. But the stories from his days on book tours are absolutely priceless. Palahniuk's events unsurprisingly attract all kinds of oddballs and his tales about these interactions are bloody hilarious.
About the book: Its part memoir and part writing advice.
First impressions: I love reading about writing, so I was excited to delve into this. I like the title, and the cover is clever.
Content: Palahniuk offers good advice, both his own and from other writers as well. He covers topics like tension, authority, plus much more. I expected the book to focus mainly on the writing process, but I loved the insights into things like doing book tours.
What if world events are unfolding in perfect order to ...more
First impressions: I love reading about writing, so I was excited to delve into this. I like the title, and the cover is clever.
Content: Palahniuk offers good advice, both his own and from other writers as well. He covers topics like tension, authority, plus much more. I expected the book to focus mainly on the writing process, but I loved the insights into things like doing book tours.
What if world events are unfolding in perfect order to ...more
An amazingly solid book of writing tips. I wish this existed ten (okay, who am I kidding, 15) years ago.
It's more than writing tips...I'd call it a distilled method. Chuck does away with the mysticism and whatnot behind writing, that stuff where it's like, "I'm an ARTISTE!" and talks about some concrete methods that'll improve just about anyone's storytelling.
A lot of these sorts of books shy away from giving direct, concrete advice, but Chuck tells people what to do, and then says, "Once you ...more
It's more than writing tips...I'd call it a distilled method. Chuck does away with the mysticism and whatnot behind writing, that stuff where it's like, "I'm an ARTISTE!" and talks about some concrete methods that'll improve just about anyone's storytelling.
A lot of these sorts of books shy away from giving direct, concrete advice, but Chuck tells people what to do, and then says, "Once you ...more
Brilliant. His stories are worthy enough to read this book, but when you combine it with his lessons and how he views writing and the world, it really makes you think. It definitely got the creative juices flowing for me!
This was a great craft book. I enjoyed the way the author embedded a craft tip within the context of a vignette, as well as the hilarious anecdotes about his incredible book tours over the years. I listened to it on audio and it was an easy listen. I'll likely buy a hardcover to return to his prompts and reading lists.
I have been waiting my whole life for Chuck Palahniuk to write this book. As a writer myself, I have the utmost respect for his willingness to push the envelope and to do it in such a stylistically sharp and unique way. To learn about his process and observations about what makes a piece of fiction work have sparked my desire to dive into my own writing in the most honest and fervent manner that I can, which seems to be his intention with this book. His vignettes about touring and his writing
...more
Chuck is a great teacher, this is the textbook you need to be a better writer.
This book really impressed me. I am not generally a fan of books that offer writing advice. The process in instinctive as far as I can tell. I've taken some workshops and learned from them, for sure, but always found trial and error the best teacher.
But I'm digressing a bit. This book mixes writing advice and tricks of the trade Chuck P. learned from various esteemed writers and from workshops. There are also some amusing anecdotes that perhaps, in a way, serve as models as well as just ...more
But I'm digressing a bit. This book mixes writing advice and tricks of the trade Chuck P. learned from various esteemed writers and from workshops. There are also some amusing anecdotes that perhaps, in a way, serve as models as well as just ...more
This is an excellent collection of stories and guidance from an author I enjoy. There is a creepy darkness in his characters, and he opens up to readers on some of the methods that help in their creation. These, of course, through stories.
If you enjoy the author, I suspect you will like this work too. If you have trouble with his content and truth, you might try something like "Bird by Bird." I enjoy the dark and gritty.
If you enjoy the author, I suspect you will like this work too. If you have trouble with his content and truth, you might try something like "Bird by Bird." I enjoy the dark and gritty.
A good read for both of the major things it provided: instruction and perspectives. Instructions in the writing process from a writer who is very much outside the norm of the classic form. And perspectives from his life as a writer. Like I said. A good read.
Mar 26, 2020
Donna Everhart
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
worth-keeping
I loved the insight on writing dos and don'ts, but I think I loved his personal stories best. (And some of them were jaw dropping.)
I've read other books on writing and loved them all. The first one was THE FOREST FOR THE TREES by Betsy Lerner. Next came BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott. The last one was ON WRITING, by Stephen King. Much like Palahniuk's book, King shared personal stories too. (Mouthwash? Okay, that definitely explains why some of his stuff started getting a little too weird)
Palahniuk ...more
I've read other books on writing and loved them all. The first one was THE FOREST FOR THE TREES by Betsy Lerner. Next came BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott. The last one was ON WRITING, by Stephen King. Much like Palahniuk's book, King shared personal stories too. (Mouthwash? Okay, that definitely explains why some of his stuff started getting a little too weird)
Palahniuk ...more
Fans of writing memoirs may find this Palahniuk-inized version of writing advice to be either helpful or largely useless.
Review forthcoming.
(3.5 stars scaled) Its often hard to take self-help books on writing seriously. If the writer hasnt published a bestseller, one might think they lack credibility. If they deliver the same content after a string of hits, its possible youll find yourself yelling "Stop preaching at me from your ivory tower, buddy!" Hell, my own attempts at the subject have always felt a little self-serving.
Which is what makes Chuck Palahniuks CONSIDER THIS: MOMENTS IN MY WRITING LIFE AFTER WHICH EVERYTHING WAS ...more
Which is what makes Chuck Palahniuks CONSIDER THIS: MOMENTS IN MY WRITING LIFE AFTER WHICH EVERYTHING WAS ...more
What a fabulous insight into Chucks writing craft - so many useful tidbits of information, stories, examples, teaching - this has got to be up there with On Writing by Stephen King for all aspiring and current writers! Longer review coming to STORGY and Ill update...
...more
I am not a Chuck Palahniuk disciple, not the fan who devours his books and reads excerpts like Bible passagesI've read FIGHT CLUB and a smattering of his short storiesbut this book on writing is a brilliant, indispensible resource for fiction writers at all stages.
The tone is avuncular and sincere, the advice insightful and immediately applicable. The early chapter "Textures" is alone worth the cost of the book.
Throughout the book, Palahniuk gives advice for creating more immediate, effective ...more
The tone is avuncular and sincere, the advice insightful and immediately applicable. The early chapter "Textures" is alone worth the cost of the book.
Throughout the book, Palahniuk gives advice for creating more immediate, effective ...more
I remember a time when my writing halted because I realized I was trying, and failing, to sound like Palahniuk. That failure was important to my development because I realized that maybe I shouldn't be Palahniukthat after all Palahniuk had covered all the bases of being Palahniuk. I believe that if you follow this book's rules perfectly, you might sound a lot like Palahniuk. There are certain tricks he teaches (e.g. unconventional conjunctions, template chapters, the infamous Chuck chorus) that
...more
Lots of great, inspirational writing advice to be found here as well as interesting writing prompts. Palahniuk often uses the framing, if you were my student and his voices really shines through.
Note that Palahniuk references his own books and stories a lot (including spoilers for Fight Club), so if someone's looking for a pure writing guide it helps to be acquainted with his work.
This small personal anecdotes don't give as much insight into Palahniuk's life as I hoped but they do delve into ...more
Note that Palahniuk references his own books and stories a lot (including spoilers for Fight Club), so if someone's looking for a pure writing guide it helps to be acquainted with his work.
This small personal anecdotes don't give as much insight into Palahniuk's life as I hoped but they do delve into ...more
Good, practical writing tips from an author who (let's face it) has had a crazy career (I can't believe the guy still goes out and gives readings, after some of the stories he tells "from the road".)
In some ways, I predict this book will be even more useful than Stephen King's "On Writing", because Palahniuk offers a LOT of concrete writing advice; in other ways, some of the advice he gives is weirdly specific to situations only Chuck Palahniuk would write about, and I don't think the world ...more
In some ways, I predict this book will be even more useful than Stephen King's "On Writing", because Palahniuk offers a LOT of concrete writing advice; in other ways, some of the advice he gives is weirdly specific to situations only Chuck Palahniuk would write about, and I don't think the world ...more
First rule of Write Club...
This book? Where do I start? Its going to make me a better writer. It already has. I hadnt been a big Chuck Palahniuk fan. I saw Fight Club, and *maybe* I read Choke, but maybe I just saw the movie. I definitely read Guts at some point. Ive always been intrigued by him and his ability to make you want to vomit and feel your feelings in the same sentence.
A lot of it is Fiction 101, but certainly not all of it, and the difference between this book and other craft books Ive read is that it ...more
A lot of it is Fiction 101, but certainly not all of it, and the difference between this book and other craft books Ive read is that it ...more
I love Chuck Palahniuk. He's one of the first authors I can remember devouring every release, energetically, waiting to talk to my friends about it. There's something so unique, and real, about his writing; that he can take the sometimes unbelievable, surreal events and make them marvelous and interesting, while inviting you to sympathize with sometimes unscrupulous or extraordinary characters/events. And I think that's great, beautiful writing.
Now that my review on his general writing is ...more
Now that my review on his general writing is ...more
If youve read any of Palahniuks writing essays on Litreactor website then some of this writing lore will he familiar, but the author gives new context and example in this book. From submerging the I to Description from within the pov, this book will inspire any would-be or experienced writer. Like Stephen Kings On Writing, Consider this is part writing advice and part biography. Whether youre into his brand of weird-dark fiction or not, theres riches here to be mined for one and all. Highly
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Written in stolen moments under truck chassis and on park benches to a soundtrack of The Downward Spiral and Pablo Honey, Fight Club came into existence. The adaptation of Fight Club was a flop at the box office, but achieved cult status on DVD. The films popularity drove sales of the novel. Chuck put out two novels in 1999, Survivor and Invisible Monsters. Choke, published in 2001, became Chucks
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