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Counter Craft explores fiction writing, publishing insights, and appreciation of weird and surreal literature. It includes discussions on narrative techniques, the role of narrators, the relevance of traditional and non-traditional story structures, and the impact of AI on publishing. It also pays homage to influential writers and debates art's unnecessary elements.

Fiction Writing Publishing Narrative Techniques Surreal Literature Story Structures Art and Interpretation AI in Publishing Literary Appreciation

The hottest Substack posts of Counter Craft

And their main takeaways

The First and Best Writing Advice I Ever Received

1991 implied HN points β€’ 11 Feb 24
πŸ“š Literature Writing Advice Fiction
  1. Finishing your writing projects is crucial - don't get stuck tinkering, but complete and move on to the next
  2. The best writing advice is often simple - just finish your work before worrying about other aspects like querying agents or publicity
  3. Failure is part of the process - finishing means making mistakes, learning from them, and improving your writing over time

What's American Fiction Without the Short Story?

490 implied HN points β€’ 15 Mar 24
πŸ“š Literature Short Stories American Literature Authorship Publishing
  1. Short stories are integral to American literature and are considered a quintessential American literary form.
  2. The declining prestige of short stories is noted, despite the vibrant and alive nature of the form in American letters.
  3. Short stories face challenges due to lack of space in magazines, minimal big publisher support, and the popularity bias towards novels.

Processing: How Rita Bullwinkel Wrote Headshot

224 implied HN points β€’ 11 Mar 24
πŸ“š Literature Writing process Structure Character development
  1. Rita Bullwinkel's novel 'Headshot' showcases a unique structure, following the format of a sports competition but blending it with deep character exploration.
  2. The use of third-person narration in 'Headshot' creates a collective voice for the characters, allowing for a deeper exploration of time manipulation in the story.
  3. Bullwinkel's research background in competitive youth sports informed the authenticity of the novel, particularly in capturing the psychological dynamics of characters in a boxing setting.
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The Novel as Shaggy Dog Joke

556 implied HN points β€’ 01 Feb 24
πŸ“š Literature Novels Authors Writing Meaning
  1. In novels, it's okay to break traditional writing rules and do something unexpected.
  2. Shaggy dog jokes delay the punchline for as long as possible, focusing on the journey of storytelling.
  3. Some novels, like Kafka's 'The Castle,' deny expected resolutions, finding meaning in the denial.

Fear of the Surreal

796 implied HN points β€’ 31 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Art & Illustration Literature Fiction Philosophy Humor
  1. Surrealism in art resists simple meanings and concrete interpretations, seeking to evoke the subconscious and inspire individual interpretations.
  2. Surrealism challenges traditional symbols and meanings in art by using new imagery that avoids fixed cultural interpretations or subverts established meanings.
  3. There is a prevalent tendency for art consumers to seek simple interpretations and allegories, but celebrating art that resists easy understanding can lead to unique and profound experiences.

How Novellas Became Novels

566 implied HN points β€’ 30 Jun 23
πŸ“š Literature Novels
  1. Slim novels are popular now, even though they were once considered unpublishable.
  2. Novel 'Open Throat' by Henry Hoke was discussed at a book event.
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