User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
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.
Rating: really liked it
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 he's met along the way as a writer. His longest term writing group was one headed by a writer previously unknown to me, one Tom Spanbauer, who wrote
Faraway Places.
Other sages quoted are Nora Ephron, Ken Kesey, Joy Williams, Ursula K. LeGuin, Amy Hempel, and David Sedaris (to name but a few).
CP is great with the anecdotes, too. Many about book signings, especially. If you want to be a successful writer, this is a necessary evil that CP has tried to make a joy and a delight, but considering the stories he shares, they can be a bit angst-ridden and even downright scary. Be careful what you wish for, wannabe writers!
About the only minus I can give this is two-fold: one, the advice isn't as plentiful and interesting in the second half of the book. And two, he uses his own books again and again as examples, which comes across as self-promotional and really isn't so effective for readers who are unfamiliar with all of these other CP titles.
But, overall, worth a wannabe novelist or short story writer's look, even if only half of the advice is deemed worthy.
Rating: really liked it
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 only other book is, like,
1,001 Recipes for Delicious Organic Ho-Made Hot Dogs and so I'm like, "Who cares what
you think, Big Phone?" but then I read it and it's great. Other times I read it and then I don't even want to try their hot dog recipes.
And then sometimes I find a writing book written by someone whose name I recognize (at least) but then I read it and it's like, "I trusted you, baldy!" and if I've read and enjoyed their books, I wonder how that's possible, and if I haven't, I don't want to no mores.
I'm not a Minimalist, but I'm a longtime Palahniuk fan, and I've read his advice before, so I was super-duper bigstyle excited when I learned that this book was on the way. By this I mean, I'm not a millionaire either, but I bought the ebook and the hardcover on release day, I was so convinced that I'd enjoy it.
And I did, Okay, I
really did. Because:
a) For various reasons, I don't have a support system as a writer, so it's always a flat-out relief to find a writing book that makes me feel like I'm having that sort of a conversation with someone; and
b) Because regardless of your style, genre etc., Chuck Palahniuk gives incredible advice: frank, solid, unpretentious, and with absolutely no agenda other than improving your work; and
c) He includes a number of genuinely interesting, original anecdotes, not just of his own, but also that he's collected here and there, over the years; and
d) He's confident without being arrogant.
That's--I was raised up to believe the ugliest thing you can do in your life is toot your own horn, like to the point where now I feel almost pathological revulsion whenever I encounter anyone who comes right out and takes credit for anything.
That is a real thing in my life, and yet, numerous times in this book, Palahniuk refers to his own work as a good example of this or that,
recommends it for same, and yet, never once did I think Jesus Christ, dude, get your dick outta your heart. I just admired him for it.
And that's not because I'm a fan, okay, when Clive Barker insisted on calling his genre "fantastique" I was like "Come the fuck
on, dude," and I
idolize that guy.
All Palahniuk cares about is writing stories that people will enjoy reading, stories that will connect with them, be remembered. He doesn't care about the writer, or sales, or fame, or any of that. Not deep down. And he doesn't present that philosophy in a way that's discouraging to people who
do care about all of it, nor scornful.
Just... here is what I think, and if you don't agree... you're the one who asked him, dingus. Asked
him instead of the hot dogs person.
So.
Rating: really liked it
I went back and forth on this book. If you're looking for a guide on writing, this probably ain't it. If you're looking for a collection or weird and interesting Chuck experiences as he became and has been an author...sprinkled with literary name dropping, it won't disappoint. There are some writing gems in the book for sure but like the author, they fit his style. I've never been a fan of writing rules, so I read with interest but my favorite part was actually Ira Levin's point: don't overthink your creative process.
A great read and writing advice to ponder. Mostly? Weird.
Rating: really liked it
An interesting, engaging read about how the author writes a novel, with entertaining anecdotes about experiences Palahnuik has had throughout his writing career. He is a diligent observer who always has a notebook and pen available. A worthwhile reading experience.
Rating: really liked it
I won this book from a great bookstore and am excited to read it because I’ve read fiction books by this author previously.
At only 20 pages in, I’m 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. I’ve read many books, including ones I really liked, where I couldn’t tell which characters in the novel were speaking.
I have a lot more to say, pretty much all positive, but don’t want to give too much away while the book isn’t even available until January. I will say it’s a cool combination of stories and tips for writing. Writing prompts for long into the future. Fantastic last line.
Rating: really liked it
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.
Rating: really liked it
"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 he’s just looking for the right way to blow people’s minds in the most explosive and disgusting way. (Don’t ask)
Reading this book made me appreciate who he is as a person and all of his books. You get a glimpse inside who he is and how he thinks. Plus you get some history of his greatest work. It makes me want to reread everything he’s ever released.
Consider This was a phenomenal book from a powerhouse author. This is one of the many reasons why he’s my number one. There’s no holding things back with him and he doesn’t sugarcoat anything.
If you want to know the story behind his GG Allin author photo, read this book!!
"Who died and made you Ross Perot?"
Rating: really liked it
'Consider This: Moments in My Writing After Which Everything Was Different' by Chuck Palahniuk is a practical guide to constructing novels/short stories according to Dangerous Writing. Dangerous Writing is a philosophy about how novels could be used as tools to engage readers into discussions, touch burning social topics, and do all that in a provocative, straightforward fashion. If you do not feel personally offended, reading about masturbation and defective sex dolls (and I forgot to mention graphic sexual scenes and profane language), the book would certainly be handy for writing your pieces.
In the almost intimate manner that combines juxtaposed essays and step-by-step techniques, Palahniuk helps to understand the rules of keeping the reader constantly on the verge, unaware of what comes next. He talks about creating tension, effective use of dialogues (avoid them as much as possible!), and gives away his personal favorite fiction/nonfiction books.
The fabulous vocabulary of the book is a cherry on the cake. I read three of Palahniuk’s books, all in Russian. Oh boy! How much I must have missed! Though one of his principles includes simple sentences, the overall flow of words is flawless. I swallowed the book; I can’t find another word to describe the process of reading. With half-opened eyes in the night, accompanied by cries of fighting children during the day, everything seemed like a pesky hindrance until the last page. And even then, I wanted more.
Chuck Palahniuk confessed he had never read any reviews on his books, good or bad. So there is a slight chance he’d see my plea to publish another handbook about writing.
I add the book into the category of the most notable books of 2021. Helpful, fast-pacing, engaging to the point of madness; in one word – a recommendation to all aspiring writers.
(I ask for pardon for ignoring one of the basic rules of the book: use forms of ‘be’ and ‘have’ as little as possible.)
Rating: really liked it
I've read a lot of good books by authors providing writing advice but this might be my new favorite. Palahniuk does an amazing job of alternating between hilarious stories, thoughtful advice, personal experiences, and events that impacted both himself and other authors he knows. After reading this I'm amazed it doesn't get as much acclaim as Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, which is also amazing. If you're interested at all in becoming a writer or becoming a better writer, I can't recommend this highly enough.
Rating: really liked it
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.
Rating: really liked it
“If you were my student … “
Some interesting writing tips from a (personally) extremely hit-or-miss fiction author. Loved the conversational tone, but I wish Palahniuk had read the audio himself. Also, gross cover, but I’m not in the least surprised by the off-putting quirk.
Rating: really liked it
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 master some techniques, do whatever the hell you want."
It's a great approach to writing. You have to start with SOMETHING, and the challenges he puts forth will get you going. Regardless of whether or not you're a Palahniuk fan, it'll do you good to read this one and try some of it out.
Rating: really liked it
I got audiobook but wishing I had actual book so that it would be easier to take notes, of which I found plenty.
Rating: really liked it
What a fabulous insight into Chuck’s 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 I’ll update...
