Writing Tips from Chuck Palahniuk

I knew I liked Chuck Palahniuk when I read Survivor and Fight Club, but I knew I loved him when I read Choke. So, when Facebook told me to read his essay, “13 Writing Tips,” I listened.

(Source)

To summarize:

Tip #1: When you don’t want to write, set an egg timer for one hour (or half hour) and sit down to write until the timer rings. If you still hate writing, you’re free in an hour. But usually, by the time that alarm rings, you’ll be so involved in your work, enjoying it so much, you’ll keep going.

Tip #2: Your audience is smarter than you imagine. Don’t be afraid to experiment with story forms and time shifts.

Tip #3: Before you sit down to write a scene, mull it over in your mind and know the purpose of that scene.

Tip #4: Surprise yourself. If you can bring the story – or let it bring you – to a place that amazes you, then you can surprise your reader.

Tip #5: When you get stuck, go back and read your earlier scenes, looking for dropped characters or details that you can resurrect as “buried guns.”

Tip #6: Use writing as your excuse to throw a party each week – even if you call that party a “workshop.”

Tip #7: Let yourself be with Not Knowing…The longer you can allow a story to take shape, the better that final shape will be.

Tip #8: If you need more freedom around the story, draft to draft, change the character names.

Tip #9: There are three types of speech – I don’t know if this is TRUE, but I heard it in a seminar and it made sense. The three types are: Descriptive, Instructive, and Expressive. Descriptive: “The sun rose high…” Instructive: “Walk, don’t run…” Expressive: “Ouch!” Most fiction writers will only use one – at most, two – of these forms. So use all three.

Tip #10: Write the book you want to read.

Tip #11: Get author book jacket photos taken while you’re young.

Tip #12: Write about the issues that really upset you.

Tip #13: A Christmas window story… You’ll have to read this in Chuck’s words.

Click here to read the full essay at ChuckPalahniuk.net.

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