Chuck Palahniuk's October Essay, "A Story from Scratch, Act One"

Posted October 6th, 2008 by Dennis

/workshop/chucks-essays-2008-34Apologies for posting this one late, but Chuck has something special for you today that I think you're all going to agree was worth the wait. For years now, fans have loved and coveted these essays Chuck provides the site, on how to improve your writing. But there's one aspect of his lessons that people have wished for the most:

For the next three essays I'll be presenting three drafts of a short story I'm writing for a Dark Delicacies anthology. Folks have been asking for this kind of in-progress demonstration. The first draft will be a day or two past Oct. 1st, but each draft will describe my process and choices -- and the finished, polished version will be out in the actual book.

Read Chuck's October Essay, A Story from Scratch, Act One

This is something incredibly unique. Something I don't think you'd see most bestselling authors ever offering their readers. Something so open and gracious, that it could be one of the best learning lessons from Chuck we've seen yet.

Chuck has committed to 1 year of these, so expect 2 more yet for 2008.  Also remember that, for the first month they are posted, these essays are only available to Premium Members.  Basic Members can view them one month later.  So come October 6th, this new essay will be available to all, free, for one month only. 

You can also now read the September Essay, Tell A Lie, Bury A Gun free here!

If you're not yet a Premium Member and would like to view this essay now, as well as all 24 of Chuck's 2004-2005 essays and all 14 of his fan Q&As, you can upgrade your membership here.

For a tour of our Workshop, the essays, and Premium Membership, click here.

Bookmark/Search this post with:
  • Delicious
  • Digg
  • Technorati
in
perlman3030
October 8th, 2008

Great essay. It will be exciting to see how it all comes together. Thanks Chuck!


Dennis
October 8th, 2008

With the lack of comments here, I'm not quite sure people realize how unique this latest essay is. So let me just say it again: Chuck is writing a short horror story, and posting the first draft of each act in these essays. Furthermore, he's explaining, during the story, why he makes the writing decisions he makes.

This is easily the coolest feature Chuck has ever submitted to the site.


JKabol
October 8th, 2008

dennis.. sorry, didnt spend the time with the essay until last night.

i almost sent you a pm because the essay was upped by admin and i thought that an essay like this hands down deserves a personal write up from you. i'm definitely gonna champion the shizzite outta this one, here and the over at the velvet.

this is what so many of us read every writing book we can get our hands on in order to understand the very process of writing the story. and here chuck drafts one in three parts right in front of us.

THIS IS THE KIND OF THING THAT CANNOT BE OUTDONE
jesus !!

not the last word from me.. but i gotta get the starter put into the truck. just needed a break because my arms were tired. but i gotta get that done and i'm going to choke with my woman and a few of our friends in a few hours. and then drinks. so i'll write up some comments in various threads for various members in the morning. here and the fold !!

thanks dennis !
tell chuck thanks and feel free to add in a fuck or some other emphatic word !!

-kabol

..

.

...

.

..

..


monkeywright
October 9th, 2008

I have to say, this is the coolest writing thing in the place (next to Master's Classes). It's like reading with a DVD commentary track turned on. I've read it once for story, I'm still going back through and picking the comments up and seeing the thought process. Very nice!


Bateman
October 23rd, 2008

just have been checking this out...
it's is pretty cool indeed!


JKabol
October 23rd, 2008

BATEMAN !
it's been a minute. welcome back and stuff :D