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Grundish and Askew - Author/Reader Discussion April
Lori, this book sounds so great! I would love the signed copy but I am sure you are doing a drawing for it ir something. An ebook would be okay. My email address is [email protected]
really would love the signed copy LOL!
i could use some humor - seems I have been reading heavier novels or dystopian stuff and this might be the break I am searching for! I would participate in the group discussion ( I once led one for the larger group) - I am more than happy with any format :)
Absolutely loved Grudish and Askew when I read it for review. Would be great to take part in the discussion with other readers!
Hot Damn! I sure do like surprises (and author events), I do. I want all my winnings to benefit the Dead Horse Animal Shelter; I like the way they dress up the little ones in Victorian outfits and tea cups for hats, I do. That Lance Carbuncle is a downright hoot, don't you say, all be it a little rude, but we don't hold that against him, it's fine to be a little naughty now and then.
I would LOVE to win a free copy of this book and participate in the conversation! I just joined TNBBC in late January, and haven't had a chance to really jump in to participate, so I'm looking forward to becoming an active member. I've been chomping at the bit to have a chance to discuss some great literature with like-minded bookies!My email is [email protected].
I would love an audiobook copy to join in.The synopsis has me very much intrigued. Sounds like this book will be fun.
Count me in please.
I agree to participate in the Group discussion April 20-26.
Email is [email protected]
I'd love to win an audio version of this book! It sounds like a wild ride. I agree to participate in the discussion.
This book sounds hilarious, and it's been a few months since I have joined in on an author/reader discussion! I would love an e-book (or signed print! who doesn't want that?!), but I would happily enjoy an audio book for my commute as well. I would, of course, participate in the discussion mid-April.
I would love to win an ebook version of the book...It looks like it's a very wild, entertaining [email protected]
Mod
I'll be in touch shortly with each of you shortly. CHeck your email/goodreads messages.
Thanks for entering!!!
Mod
Well this is definitely a change n pace for me. I am excited about this. Thanks for the opportunity.
Wow! So happy to be a winner! Can't wait to read the book!
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Yep, it was a wild ride! I'm looking forward to the discussion.
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I cannot wait to hear what you guys thought of the book. It's so much different than our usual fare, and I know there's going to be a lot of mixed feelings about, which should make for a great discussion.
Lance, I want to welcome you to the group and thank you for making copies of the book in audio and digital form available for us!
And Brandon, thanks for joining us!
So guys, how did the two of you hook up for the audio?
One day while waiting for a red light to change, an unkempt fellow with a squeegee forced himself upon my windshield, wiping it with an oily rag that blurred my view. I yelled at him to go away and told him I was not going to pay him a dime for such a piss-poor squeegee job. And as he came to my window spewing profanities that I had not yet even heard in my long life, I was struck by the mellifluous tone of his voice. "You have a golden voice," I marveled.
"#$*& your mother," he replied and kicked at my rearview mirror until he succeeded in knocking it off.
After calming him with profuse apologies and the promise of a bottle of grape Mad Dog 20/20, I convinced Brandon to narrate Grundish and Askew. He now lives in my garden shack and narrates my voicemail greeting messages.
Actually, I found Brandon after narrating many talented voice actors. When I heard his audition, I knew he was going to be great. He further boosted my confidence when he produced and incredible audio version of my short story, It's Always About the Monkey, for the podcast Reading Out Loud (check it out at Readingoutloud.org). Needless to say, I couldn't have asked for a better job on Grundish ad Askew. Brandon's narration made me appreciate my book in a whole new way. It was awesome to hear the life that he brought to my characters.
The audiobook was fantastic! I think Brandon did a great job.Lance, I think you are a really talented writer. Why did you choose to self-publish as opposed to publishing through a major publisher?
Do you think self-publishing, crowd funding, grassroots indie publishing, standing by a freeway exit with a cardboard sign, etc. is the way of the future for debut novels and emerging authors?
Mod
My favorite character in Grundish and Askew is Turleen. She is hilarious. I love the dream world where she chain-smokes and talks with Stubbs and Idjit (and they lick her feet!). Two questions:
1. What’s with the orange VW van?
The same alternate reality Turleen visits in her dreams comes up again towards the end of the novel when the orange VW van is transformed into the Magic Theater from Hesse’s Steppenwolf. Does this place represent a state of lower consciousness (subconscious, or unconscious desires and fears) and when the conscious-self views this lower self, healing and self-awareness can ensure? What’s the overall message here? Is Alf the donkey (who speaks to Askew) a metaphor for deeper self-knowledge and wisdom? …and why does Askew fuck Stubbs? (the same Stubs – one “b” – in the rest of the book?)
2. Character development through actions.
Was Turleen inspired by anyone, particularly her mannerisms? While I was reading I kept thinking of distant members of my family who show up at extended family outings. It was spot on and relatable.
Mod
Andrew,As far as self-publishing, there was never any question that I would do otherwise. I know that my work tends to scare traditional publishers and even agents. They want to make money with something that they know is marketable, and I totally get that. Interestingly (at least to me), it was not too long ago that I was contacted about the possible sale of the movie rights to my first book, Smashed, Squashed, Splattered, Chewed, Chunked and Spewed. Even with a production company expressing interest in movie rights, I couldn’t interest an agent in helping me. But, I believe that there is a market for work that is maybe nonformulaic or bizarre or violent or explicit or otherwise objectionable for a traditional publisher. And that is why I have embraced self-publishing. I write what I would want to read, and I have found that there is a market for such work. I just have to be the one to get the word out there, so self-publishing works for me.
As far as self-publishing being the future for authors to get their work discovered, I have mixed feelings. It worked for me. But it’s a lot of work to produce something that is polished and of high enough quality. I had to really push my work to get it out there, too. Once I got the ball rolling, reviews started coming out and the word spread about my books. I have been lucky enough to have consistent (although not high volume) sales of my books. On the other hand, the ease with which people can now publish a book and have it slapped up as a kindle on Amazon or elsewhere has led to a glut of unpolished, sloppy, poorly developed books. So there is something of a (sometimes well deserved) stigma attached to being self-published and that may be enough keep some very talented people from pursuing self-pub.
Lori wrote: "I agree with Andrew, Brandon's audio recording was awesome. I couldn't get over how fun it was to listen to."Andrew wrote: "My favorite character in Grundish and Askew is Turleen. She is hilarious. I love the dream world where she chain-smokes and talks with Stubbs and Idjit (and they lick her feet!).
Two questions:
1..."
First let me answer question 2. Turleen is indeed inspired by a great aunt of mine. She was full of life and liked her cocktails. I added a heaping helping of white trash to the mix, but much of Turleen's mannerisms and actions are indeed inspired by my great aunt.
As to question 1, it would probably help if you read my first novel, Smashed, Squashed, Splattered, Chewed, Chunked and Spewed, to understand the alternate plane which Stubbs and Idjit Galoot inhabit. To put it simply, the animals in the dream worlds act as spirit guides or something like guardian angels. As far as metaphors and symbolism, I often prefer to let my readers interpret those however they will. They usually come up with far more intelligent analyses of my metaphors then I do. I don’t try to use symbolism (except for when I do). Sometimes animals or objects represent something else in my stories, sometimes they don’t. To paraphrase Freud, "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar (except for when it’s a dick)".
With regard to Askew buggering Stubbs, I believe Stubbs explains why that happened (to break Askew away from his fantasy of screwing Dora and get his mind back on the task at hand). Also, I just thought it was funny to make Askew pink-sock Stubbs.
First, I just want to say this is one of the best books I've read/listened to in a while. It's refreshingly original, funny as hell, and at times down right disgusting; yet underneath the humor and absurdity is a powerful story of friendship. I can see people reacting strongly to this book, either really liking it or not liking it at all. I think this has to do with the way people view art. Some people want to relate to the main characters, while others don't think this is necessary.
I personally like reading about other people's lives and behaviors, even if it's completely different from how I live or think. I believe our differences and individuality is what makes life interesting.
This article on selfies is quite fascinating: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-3224.... The last few paragraphs contain a good argument for why you should be interested in art with characters you don't relate to, which I find pertinent.
I have lots of questions, but I'll have to ask them tomorrow. Goodnight!
Lance, thanks for your book. It reminded me a little of John dies at the end, however much more believable. I personally know 2 people who misuse words and phrases all the time, was Askew's language mutilation based on someone you know? Did you pick Florida because of the weirdness that emanates from the state lately?
Lori wrote: "Lance, who was your favorite character to write?"That's a tough one. Askew was a lot of fun to write because of his developing psychosis and his malapropisms. While writing G&A I actually invited readers to provide me with any word abuse that they have noticed. That was a lot of fun and I incorporated some of the suggestions into Askew's dialogue.
Turleen was enjoyable, too. In a way it was like visiting with my now-gone great aunt who was always a hoot.
It's really hard to say who was my favorite, though, because I really enjoyed all of the characters in the book (even the minor ones like the juvenile tattoo artist who lied about having sex with a horse). All of the characters were fun to write. If they weren't, I wouldn't have put them in the story in the first place.
Deanna wrote: "Lance, thanks for your book. It reminded me a little of John dies at the end, however much more believable. I personally know 2 people who misuse words and phrases all the time, was Askew's langu..."
Askew's abuse of the English language does not come from any one person in particular. I just notice misuse of words and it always strikes me as humorous for some reason. I'm not a word nazi and I don't feel that I need to attack somebody for their mangling of words (there are a lot of people who dedicate much time and emotional energy online to attacking and trying to correct others for word misuse). For all intensive purposes, though, I don't go neucular when I hear a mispronounciation. Instead, I consider it a blessing in the skies.
I set G&A in Florida because I live here and thought it would be fun to make it local. Many of the places mentioned are based upon areas that I see everyday. And, yes, there is a lot of weirdness here. I live adjacent to a town founded by carnival folk. (Does anybody remember the Lobster Boy murder case? That was local to me). There is just so much to work with here that I couldn't help but to use it for the setting for G&A.
Rosanna wrote: "First, I just want to say this is one of the best books I've read/listened to in a while. It's refreshingly original, funny as hell, and at times down right disgusting; yet underneath the humor and..."Rosanna,
I agree with you that people react strongly to my characters. I have one reader who has repeatedly attacked my first book, Smashed, Squashed, etc., because she hated the protagonist. Her reviews admitted that the story is well written and probably funny, but she couldn't get past the fact that the main character was too much like some losers that had been involved at some point in her life. So, yes, antiheroes can turn away some readers.
Personally, though, I love to read about people who live on the edge. How boring would it be to read about somebody who does everything right, follows all of the rules, and never makes any mistakes? No thanks. I want something gritty. I want characters who make horrible choices and have to deal with the consequences of their anger or stupidity or misdirected lust. I want to read about people who put themselves in horrible situations and have to figure out a solution. As a result, I write characters who are hard to love. I take them and drag them down into the muck and make them deal with the mess they’ve made of their lives.
Antiheroes are compelling. Look at Breaking Bad. Walter White starts out likable and ends up despicable. He ruins the lives of all who love him. The entire show is a downward spiral. Things only get worse. And as that goes on, the show just gets more compelling. You want things to get better but they just keep getting worse. And that is interesting. You do not have to have a likable character to have a good story.
A while back I wrote a brief piece on creating the characters of Grundish and Askew, and it addresses your issue, as well as Lori’s early question about my favorite character. Below is my analysis from a while back about writing those characters:
“It’s a funny thing trying to come up with a good answer to the question: “Who is the favorite character you ever created?” It’s kind of like trying to decide which one of your children you love most. It is an unfair question and, for me, one that’s impossible to answer. I’ve created many characters (and many children) and I love each and every one of them in different ways and for different reasons. But, I would have to say that currently, I am quite proud of the titular characters of Grundish and Askew. I can’t say that I like one more than the other. They complete each other and come together as a single unit (much like one can consider a married couple as one person). Considered individually, each character would come off as slovenly, immoral, corrupt, contemptible, violent and scary. They are the kind of guys that you would give a wide berth on the street. But together they bring out each other’s humanity and even become (hopefully) loveable in some twisted way.”
“I found my inspiration for Grundish and Askew in the Elvis-obsessed Japanese lovers in Jim Jarmusch’s Mystery Train. At this point, I cannot even remember much about the movie or the couple. But I do know that I loved the interaction between them. Something about the way that they argued, but clearly still cared about each other, gave me the starting point that I wanted for Grundish and Askew. I wanted them to argue about things constantly. I wanted them to get on each other’s nerves. And, in the end, I wanted them to be the most important things in each other’s lives. Those two white-trash, bottom-of-the-barrel losers had nothing. They lived in a trailer park amidst a swarm of convicted sex offenders. In Grundish’s case, he repeatedly found himself incarcerated. Those boys couldn’t keep jobs or girls or even self-respect. But together, they found something meaningful. They found true friendship of a quality that many
will never be lucky enough to experience.”
“I loved the challenge of taking two detestable bums and digging deep to try to make my readers feel a connection to them. Yes, Grundish and Askew burglarize houses. They’re dirty and probably smelly. Grundish abuses substances and sleeps with his probation officer to avoid being thrown back in prison. Askew becomes an out-of-control psychotic – he kills and maims people. These are guys on an absurd crime spree. But through it all they stick together. They have each other’s backs. They are family. And, somehow, despite the fact that they should be thoroughly unlikable, I think my readers want to see Grundish and Askew come out on top at the end of the book. And that, for me, was the joy of creating the characters of Grundish and Askew – taking those two good-for-nothings and somehow crafting them to be endearing characters.”
Hi Lance - thanks for the e-book and for joining us to discuss your book! I am not quite done reading it yet, but I have been all over the emotional map with these characters. I've laughed a lot, been thoroughly disgusted, and also sad at times. The level of detail and description you use in your writing is both amazing and horrifying (I'm pretty sure I was gagging during the throat cheese part!).There is one part in particular I keep thinking about: the frozen meat fight in the trailer park. Of all the ways for a character to "snap", why did you decide to have Grundish go crazy on the trailer park residents via frozen meat attack? This entire part made me laugh so much!
Megan wrote: "Hi Lance - thanks for the e-book and for joining us to discuss your book! I am not quite done reading it yet, but I have been all over the emotional map with these characters. I've laughed a lot, b..."The inspiration comes from a (maybe true) story about a scary bad-ass guy in small-town Ohio, whom we will call Don for purposes of this story. This dude was big and scary looking, with a big stupid mustache and a bad mullet. But he was scary enough that nobody was going to make fun of him.
I have a friend who had a reputation for telling tall tales and sometimes throwing in a true story or two, so it was always hard to know when to believe him. Anyway, my friend told me that Scary Don was at one point driving around town with packs of hotdogs in his car. Don would supposedly pull up beside people at stoplights and if they had their windows open, he would throw hotdogs at them and then stare them down, daring them to do something about it.
This tale, whether true or not, always stuck with me as bizarre and funny. And, when it was time to have Grundish attack people in the trailer park, I found myself picturing Scary Don. Anyway, that's the inspiration for the trailer park frozen meat attack.
Mod
Brandon,
How did you land on the voices for each of the characters? How many different voices did you create just for Grundish and Askew before ending up with the ones we heard on the audio?
Lance wrote: "Andrew,As far as self-publishing, there was never any question that I would do otherwise. I know that my work tends to scare traditional publishers and even agents. They want to make money with s..."
Lance,
It is so refreshing to have someone, particularly a self-published author, acknowledge the fact that self-publishing is a gift to those who work hard to produce a quality, polished product that might otherwise have been overlook. However, as you say "the ease with which people can now publish a book and have it slapped up as a kindle on Amazon or elsewhere has led to a glut of unpolished, sloppy, poorly developed books", and has lead to some of the WORST reading I have ever done.
So, before I even properly contribute to the conversation and sing your and Brandon's praises for this book, I wanted to thank you for that.
So. Was here on Monday, thought i left a post. Guess my kindle let me down.Enjoyed the book. Reccommended to my brother and his comment to me was 'ted, no matter how old i get, i got to enjoy bathroom humor.' So i guess lance got two new fans.
My questions: (well after reading the thread some were dealt with)
-living in orlando, enjoyed the florida setting. From the news to twitters florida man florida is one messed up state. No real question there i guess, just noticing that living in this state you could write all day.
-reading the book i was always referencing authors i had read before. As an author is it hard to keep your own voice in your writing?
I had more, but man, must had been asked.
Ted
Lance and Brandon,Thank you so much for both of your contributions to this amazing book. I found this book very difficult to review because I didn't want to just gush and babble. The end result was something along the lines of "Go read it . . because it's awesome!"
Lance,
I laughed through almost the entire book (I also teared up at the end). I want you to discuss my favorite scene in the book; one of the times when you broke the fourth wall and addressed the audience directly through the news anchor.
I had the audio book version, so I can't quote it directly, but you accused yourself of writing completely unlikable characters, having not much of a plot, and hoping to get by on shock value.
I feel the exact opposite about Grundish and Askew as the statement made by the news anchor. I have read other books (including the latter works in the down slide of my once favorite author) who did rely only on shock value and gimmicks to draw in readers. I did not find your writing gimmicky or cliche or worn out at all. I found your descriptions refreshing and enticing.
And as far as unlikable characters, I fell head over heels for Grundish and Askew because, even though they are fuck-ups, they have genuine love for each other and for Turleen. In my eyes, that love, despite everything they do, redeems them, and their mistakes humanize them. I am fascinated by your statement that "I want characters who make horrible choices and have to deal with the consequences of their anger or stupidity or misdirected lust. I want to read about people who put themselves in horrible situations and have to figure out a solution."
So, that was an awfully long winded way to ask you to tell me more about the news anchor scene. Were you frustrated that an agent or a publisher had rejected you? Do you genuinely feel that self deprecating? Were you fishing for compliments? Were you just dicking around, having a good time? I'd love to know what inspired you, because I haven't read a fourth wall break like that in a long time.
Brandon,
I'm glad you "came clean" about the southern accents ;) Actually, in the beginning of the book, Lance discusses Eastern State Penitentiary, which is in my home state of PA outside of Philly. Of course, hearing that Askew's lineage and their history with Eastern State, I assumed that G & A were Pennsylvanian. So, the Southern accents threw me off until it was established that we were indeed in Florida.
How did you get into reading audio books? I know you have your website and podcast: did you self promote, or do you have an agent? What sort of path would one have to follow to get into reading audio books (besides out loud to your offspring, spouses, or in the car)?
What is one thing about your work that you feel people would be surprised to know that you have to do?
I loved the opening! (view spoiler)How did you decide on the names Grundish and Askew?
Do you have any other works in progress?
Brandon - I really thought the audio version and your interpretation added a lot to the nonsensical screaming scenes. you had me cracking up. Was there a particular passage that you found extra enjoyable to read or that you had to do multiple takes on because you were cracking up (or drunk)
Lance - I think I am accurate in saying the book gods were smiling on me when I won a copy. Can you tell me which gods are slumming to encourage book winnings? I am assuming it is the same god who made sure I didn't go blind or get hairy palms during my teen-present years.
Lance,Although I'm not finished the book yet, I think it is an awesome book so far!! It's filled with humor and adventure...You did a great job with the characters making them appear funny and bizarre! Thanks so much for writing it!! It reminds me of the books of the authors John Kennedy Toole as well as Kurt Vonnegut
David wrote: "Lance - I think I am accurate in saying the book gods were smiling on me when I won a copy. Can you tell me which gods are slumming to encourage book winnings? I am assuming it is the same god who..."I believe it was Uranus, Greek god of the sky.
Keith wrote: "Lance,Although I'm not finished the book yet, I think it is an awesome book so far!! It's filled with humor and adventure...You did a great job with the characters making them appear funny and biz..."
Keith,
Thanks. I'll take that compliment. I love Vonnegut. And, one reviewer who didn't like one of my books compared it to Confederacy of Dunces. I took that bad review as quite flattering.
Rosanna wrote: "I loved the opening! What made you decide to foreshadow like that? Did you always know that Grundish was going to shoot Askew? I kept hoping they were somehow going to get out of the mess they cre..."Rosanna,
The opening came to me one morning as I was in bed, half awake. I wrote it out, not knowing if I would use it for anything. Then I had to work from that point. As with all of my books thus far, I do not really plan them out too much in advance. I knew how it started, and I knew how it was going to end, and then I had to take the journey with Grundish and Askew to find out what happened in between.
As far as the names, Grundish was a name I saw on a local gravestone. I thought that would be a great one-name type of name (like Cher or Sting) for a character. I kind of liked that we don't really know if Grundish is a first or a last name throughout the book. He's just Grundish.
Askew was a nod to Florida history (Governor Reuben Askew) and I just thought it was a great name for somebody who was imbalanced. With regard to his first and middle name, Leroy Jenkum, just google that and watch the news videos about Leroy Jenkum.
I do have a book in the works right now entitled The Unmentionables. It's kind of a supernatural horror tale of a bullied teen who strikes back at his tormentors. I'm about 2/3 of the way through the first draft and I'm very happy with how it's turning out. Hopefully I will have it ready for publication before the end of the year.
Lance,You're welcome! i can't see how having your book compared to A Confederacy of Dunces could be anything but flattering!! Obviously the reviewer didn't see what a compliment that was.
are there any "fuckers" in your life and is this book your way of getting out all that or did you spunk on them?
Mod
David wrote: "are there any "fuckers" in your life and is this book your way of getting out all that or did you spunk on them?"David, there definitely was a Buttwynn in my life. I delivered pizza when I was younger and in school. The guy lived at the very edge of our delivery area and would tip the driver a quarter. Most of the time, Mr. Buttwynn's pizzas would arrive cold and with the cheese stuck to the top of the box.
And, yeah, there are still Fuckers in my life. I guess you never get around that.You just learn to deal with them better as you get older. Sometimes you just make them characters in your story and have them garroted on the television news, or maybe you take their name and turn it into horrific, repugnant creatures in a story (i.e., the niksiks in my third book, Sloughing Off the Rot).
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I want to thank everyone who participated this week. I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts and discovering the answers to your questions.
Lance and Brandon, thanks for being guests! I am so glad you agreed to hang with us and share the book with us!
He has given us a total of 21 copies to give away (10 audio downloads, 10 ebooks, 1 signed print).
In order to be considered, you must comment here or on the blog for a shot at winning one and secure a spot in the discussion that kicks off on April 20th:
http://thenextbestbookblog.blogspot.c...
This giveaway will run through March 9th.
Winners will be announced here and via email (if you provide one) on March 10th.
Here's how to enter:
1 - Leave a comment here or in the giveaway thread over at TNBBC's blog (linked above), stating why you'd like to receive a copy of the book (see above for the formats)
ONLY COMMENT ONCE. MULTIPLE COMMENTS DO NOT GAIN YOU ADDITIONAL CHANCES TO WIN.
2 - State that you agree to participate in the group read book discussion that will run from April 20th through the 26th. Lance has agreed to participate in the discussion and will be available to answer any questions you may have for him.
*If you are chosen as a winner, by accepting the copy you are agreeing to read the book and join the group discussion right here in this thread next month.
3 - If your goodreads profile is blocked (set on private), please leave me another way to contact you.