Gathering of the Figments

Shaye · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 6:32 am Post subject: Augusten Burroughs

In case you don't already know who this amazing author is, he's the man who wrote Running with Scissors, Wolf at the Table, and Dry - his memoirs.

Running with Scissors is about his *pretty messed up* childhood and adolescence. His mother goes kind of crazy, and then he lives with his mom's psychiatrist.

It's actually really funny. I laughed many times in that book.

He's an amazing writer.

I had the opportunity to meet him last night, and he said that he had always seen the funnier parts of his life, and that it was probably a defense mechanism, but it kept him alive.

But it just encouraged me to write a memoir. I mean, compared to this guy, I have a completely boring life.

And I went with my sister, and he was talking about how Christmas was his favorite holiday, even though every one of them went wrong. And me and Kelsey looked at each other and we were like, "Oh yeah that's so right."

But basically, he inspired me to write about my life. He was telling us a story about when he was an alcoholic (the 'Dry' days) and how he began writing. He was bored one day, so he started to write about a shopping network that he made up. He didn't drink as much as he usually did when he started to write. The next day, he wrote more and drank less. It went on like that and on the 4th day, he didn't drink at all. He never drank again. That was the day he decided to quit his current job in advertising and become a writer. He said these words, "I'm going to be a writer. I'm going to be poor. But I'll be a writer." and so he did, and five years later he became famous.

He's just a beacon of hope.

Like, "Writing ISN'T a dead end career! Follow your dreams!"
_________________
~Shaye

Look. I don't understand half the things I say either.

trinity · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 12:45 pm Post subject:

That's great, Shaye-La!

It would be awesome to meet someone you've been inspired by or loved their work.

That's also great that you got inspiration for writing a memoir.

Now, if you want to read a boring memoir I'll write one up of my life for ya. Razz

_________________

DarkWaltz · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 1:19 pm Post subject:

Awesome!!! Smile

_________________

~DancingEponaTinuviel

Hawkins · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 3:35 pm Post subject:

I don't want to meet my idols. Because I know in real life, THEY'RE TOTAL LOSERS!

Just feel good that you guys aren't my idols. ^^ *blink* Travis turned out the light. IT'S DARK! I DON'T WANT IT TO BE DARK!
_________________

Tyler's on vacation...to CANADA...*sad*

DarkWaltz · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 4:14 pm Post subject:

It's funny you say that Hawky, cause I just read an actor interview, and he basically said the same sort of thing: it's awkward to meet fans because they expect you to be really amazing and you feel like you're disappointing. I don't know though, I think there are some people that wouldn't disappoint me if I met them... Smile

_________________

~DancingEponaTinuviel

Shaye · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject:

I know. The thing about Augusten thats so amazing is that he's so normal and funny even though all these terrible things and all these wonderful things have happened to him.

He is amazing. He signed my book.

It was awesome.
_________________
~Shaye

Look. I don't understand half the things I say either.

The Bee · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 10:50 am Post subject:

Have you ever read The Glass Castle?
_________________
~Michelle The Bee

If life is a highway I was drunk at the wheel. (Relient K)

Shaye · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 5:24 pm Post subject:

No.
_________________
~Shaye

Look. I don't understand half the things I say either.

Fabby · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 7:37 am Post subject:

Wowzerz

Yessss Shaye, do write a memoir!
I think sometimes you can get overwhelmed by someone that's had such a tragic, eventful life that you think yours is dull. But at the end of it, your life amounts to alot, all the people you know, the funny stuff that's happened etc.
Even if it wasn't a breath-taking, tear-jerker, you could still make a pretty smashing story. Smile

[/encouragment]
_________________
If you can't handle me at my worst, you don't deserve me at my best.

The Bee · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 12:22 pm Post subject:

omg a lot is two words. not alot. a lot. two words.
sorry

anyway: shaye, you need to read The Glass Castle. Es muy bueno!
_________________
~Michelle The Bee

If life is a highway I was drunk at the wheel. (Relient K)

Hawkins · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 4:43 pm Post subject:

You know, I read something like this is a writers magazine. I think it was called 'the Writer'. *blink* Anyway, it was something about how most people think that they're life is so boring and dull, and that only 'good' writers have terrible and interesting lives. If that were the case, I'd be making billions of dollars off books. Let's just say that my childhood is a bit more...um...dark than I've let on. SPOOKY! BWAHAHA!

Back to the point...then it went on to say that most people have interesting lives, and they just don't think it's all that interesting because they compare it to everyone elses. You're supposed to...um...compare it to your own, I suppose. o_O
_________________

Tyler's on vacation...to CANADA...*sad*