Comments on: The Old Chuck Palahniuk’s Rules For Short Stories http://www.writingiscake.com/2008/06/04/old-chuck-palahniuk/ That tasty, tasty hobby... Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:24:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: grindhouse http://www.writingiscake.com/2008/06/04/old-chuck-palahniuk/comment-page-1/#comment-87 grindhouse Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:50:22 +0000 http://www.writingiscake.com/?p=41#comment-87 I agree with you that stating Chuck P. is the "new Vonnegut" is a bit of a cop out (especially since the term "new" connotes a replacement and Kurt V.'s works are still relevant). I have only read a few of Palahniuk's books; while I see the similarities in the genre-blending and satiric reflections on society, I don't hear the same melodious turns of phrase that I remember from reading Vonnegut. Perhaps "heir apparent to the traditions of Vonnegut" would be more apropos? As to the list of rules, thanks for sharing those. I went and digested the whole thing. My personal favorite is number four - "Every sentence must do one of two things—reveal character or advance the action.". It would be quite a feat to strive for adherence on that one. But given that the context is the short story, it makes sense. And it translates to the screenplay as well if you substitute the word "scene" for "sentence". I agree with you that stating Chuck P. is the “new Vonnegut” is a bit of a cop out (especially since the term “new” connotes a replacement and Kurt V.’s works are still relevant). I have only read a few of Palahniuk’s books; while I see the similarities in the genre-blending and satiric reflections on society, I don’t hear the same melodious turns of phrase that I remember from reading Vonnegut. Perhaps “heir apparent to the traditions of Vonnegut” would be more apropos?

As to the list of rules, thanks for sharing those. I went and digested the whole thing. My personal favorite is number four – “Every sentence must do one of two things—reveal character or advance the action.”. It would be quite a feat to strive for adherence on that one. But given that the context is the short story, it makes sense. And it translates to the screenplay as well if you substitute the word “scene” for “sentence”.

]]> By: Matt’s Bookosphere 6/5/08 « Enter the Octopus http://www.writingiscake.com/2008/06/04/old-chuck-palahniuk/comment-page-1/#comment-69 Matt’s Bookosphere 6/5/08 « Enter the Octopus Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:59:40 +0000 http://www.writingiscake.com/?p=41#comment-69 [...] Chuck Palahniuk’s rules for writing short stories. [...] [...] Chuck Palahniuk’s rules for writing short stories. [...]

]]> By: Terry Finley http://www.writingiscake.com/2008/06/04/old-chuck-palahniuk/comment-page-1/#comment-68 Terry Finley Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:24:15 +0000 http://www.writingiscake.com/?p=41#comment-68 I like number three especially. thanks I like number three especially.
thanks

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