a fan in Austin, TX
Hello. I'm Kid AJ. Been a Chuck fan for years and years (saw him read "Guts" in 2004). I joined because I'm taking creative writing this semester and it reminded me of my love affair with Choke, Invisible Monsters, and Survivor back in the day. Also, I was at the SXSW screening of Choke last night (will post about it in appropriate forum). Just wanted to introduce myself. I might contribute to the writing workshop once I figure out how that works (Is there peer review?). My favorite pastime is consuming music; my favorite bands are Radiohead, The Mars Volta, Dead Kennedys, King Crimson, The Black Angels, Crime In Choir, and Fela Kuti & The Africa 70.
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hey, aj. welcome to the cult !
yes, the workshop submissions move purely via peer review. at the moment, the links and "my-desk" features are a bit tangled. they used to be easier to navigate than they are now, but this year's update is a complete revamp/reconstruction and is taking it's toll, everything kind of going wrong, but it should be all fixed and perfect for the release of chuck's new book [i]snuff[/i] on may twenty
i've been a workshop member and moderator since early oh-four and i've gleaned a stockpile of writing knowledge, but really all you need to know is write with all of your heart and revise like those words are your last words on this earth. the workshop is for practice and technique and growth and thickening skin, all the accolades you need to possess to properly handle an intense writing course, and you'll find that here. writing's a lot of fucking work, it comes at a cost, no doubt, but man it is exhilarating !
austin.. are you familiar with the author Stephen Blackburn? he lived in corpus christi for a long while and finally did his mfa in austin, tx--part of the james michener fellowship program. he has a great collection of heart wrenching stories titled [i]the extinction of rhinos in mexico[/i] and chuck's first essay reminds me always of the title story from that collection because that story was written out in all heart, vulnerable and brutally honest
also, my second favorite story, [i]pagar por sustos[/i] reminded me of chuck's [i]invisible monsters[/i] for the convulsion and execution of the plot.
have you read any of chuck's recommended authors, either of craig clevenger's books, or the [i]phineas poe trilogy[/i] by badass writer will christopher baer ?
have you read through hempel, mary robison, mark richard ?
how 'bout cormac mccarthy, raymond carver, steve erickson, or william gibson ?
there are many favorites here
just wanna know some of yours
in any and every case. welcome to the cult. have fun and ask questions.
also, please, share a bit more about this creative writing course youre to be taking this semester
my interest at least is piqued
-kabol
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play hard, like it's work to be done.
Hello and Welcome
Are you really a Kid? I mean my name says Boy but Im a bit from my teenage years.
What other authors do you like?
Is Cujo a good name for a cat?
Can Barcelona still wi the league?
Enjoy your stay and wtach out for Derek, he's one crazy Honky.
Hello and Welcome
Are you really a Kid? I mean my name says Boy but Im a bit from my teenage years.
No, not a kid. It's a play on my name (A.J.) and the name of one of my favorite albums (Kid A).
As far as authors, yes I've read Craig Clevenger and Will Baer. Contortionist's Handbook is one of my favorite novels. I'm also a fan of Michael Chabon (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay). Bukowski's also good whenever I'm feeling particularly misanthropic. My problem is, I haven't regularly read novels like I used to. All I did in high school was read novels. Now I'm a few months from having a degree and I haven't finished a novel in two years. But I plan to change that. I figure this is the best place to get recommendations. 
What do you do while you fiend on music?
Greetings and salutations Kid AJ! I am rather jealous that you saw Choke at SXSW. Hope you enjoy the cult