Chuck Palahniuk's Plot Spoiler

1 week ago | chuckpalahniuk.substack.com | Chuck Palahniuk

Yesterday in a junk store I saw mine: An oval picture frame circa 1975. It was nothing the 13-year-old me wanted - faux Victorian, faux-Goth, heavy as a cinder block — but stealing it was a challenge, like Jon Krakauer climbing the Devil’s Thumb. Consider Andy Warhol’s dictum: “Art is what you can get away with.” The level of risk heightens your level of engagement. The frame was huge, and the very instant it was mine I threw it away. The thrill was in the act. As it should be in writing.

2 weeks ago | chuckpalahniuk.substack.com | Chuck Palahniuk

Somebody just left this chicken on a bench during our heat wave. Score!AND tomorrow is Slush Pile, the laboratory for incubating new voices. On our last go-round a writer — while in Portland on her honeymoon! — read a scene that started off calm, then detoured into shock, finally she killed everyone by landing on a short, intense story-within-the-story.

1 month ago | chuckpalahniuk.substack.com | Chuck Palahniuk

But this bit of vandalism is on every Lemonade Insurance sign I’ve run across. And, no, I didn’t do it myself. I did snap this picture. It’s currently streaming on Kanopy, and most people can watch it for free thanks to their local libraries. It also appears to be on Amazon Prime. On Kanopy I can revisit the film over the course of seventy-two hours, so — of course — I’ll be watching it at least three times. Divorce court looms.

1 month ago | chuckpalahniuk.substack.com | Chuck Palahniuk

In 1986 the 24-year-old me (see above) went out drinking after swing shift at Freightliner. Our work haunt was a stripper bar, and once it closed a drinking buddy — she worked for the post office, if memory serves — might invite everyone back to her house for more after-hours socializing. Picture a pure Charles Bukowski night, everyone drinking beer on threadbare sofas until dawn. This once, I was only vaguely aware that our host had invited one man into her bedroom.

1 month ago | chuckpalahniuk.substack.com | Chuck Palahniuk

Here’s the politicking that goes into every publication. With an story anthology the organizers court the “name” writers who can deliver a readership and sales. They include So-and-so who will ensure sales of so many copies. Likewise, So-and-so has a massive social media machine that can generate buzz. Because you want the book to get ink, to perform. To move the needle. The lovely writers-in-garrets fantasy aside, the success of a story collection depends on balancing art and commerce.