3 Kerouac-related events happened on this date

 

Gore Vidal, Elise Cowen, and Ruth Weiss (L-R)

Writer and bon vivant Gore Vidal died on this date -- July 31-- in 2012, Beat poet Elise Cowen was born on this date in 1933, and Beat poet Ruth Weiss (<---link includes details on how Jack Kerouac and Ms. Weiss met) died on this date in 2020. Vidal appeared in Kerouac's The Subterraneans as Arial Lavalina and in Old Angel Midnight as Gore Bedavalled. Cowen appeared as Barbara Lipp in Desolation Angels. I could not verify that Weiss appeared in any of Kerouac's works.

One can read various versions of Kerouac's and Vidal's alleged sexual liaison at the Chelsea Hotel in 1953 in NYC. Something happened that night, but it's unclear to me whether it was full-on sex, just oral sex, or a failed attempt at intercourse (in Memory Babe, Kerouac biographer Gerald Nicosia states that Jack proved impotent during that hook-up). More on this encounter can be found HERE.

Given my personal history with depression, I should note here that Cowen ended her own life (not dissimilarly to Natalie Jackson) by throwing herself out of her parents' 7th floor window. Tragically, the bulk of her work was discarded after she took her own life (click HERE).

If you are thinking about suicide or just need someone to talk to about emotional distress in your life, you can text Crisis Text Line at 741741 or call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. And please share these resources with friends who seem at risk.

RIP, Mr.* Vidal and Ms.* Weiss, and Happy Birthday, Ms.* Cowen.



*These are guesses at preferred salutations. If I'm wrong, let me know.

Get The Beat Handbook for $5.47

 

For some reason, and without my input, Amazon has reduced the price of my book -- The Beat Handbook: 100 Days of Kerouactions -- to the paltry amount of $5.47!

That means now is the time to BUY BUY BUY!

Shameless self-promotion over.

Memory Babe turns 40!

 

The best Jack Kerouac biography, Memory Babe: A Critical Biography of Jack Kerouac by Gerald Nicosia -- had its 40th anniversary on July 16, having been published on that date in 1983.

The new expanded edition shown above, self-published last fall, is available directly from the author. He can be reached by e-mail at gnicosia@earthlink.net. 

Happy Heavenly Birthday to Chandler Brossard

                                                         

On this date -- July 18 -- in 1922, American writer Chandler Brossard was born. Brossard appeared as Chris Rivers in Jack Kerouac's and William S. Burroughs' And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks. Some claim Brossard's Who Walk in Darkness (1952) was the first Beat novel. Brossard was not pleased with being associated with the early Beat writers, but given the content of Darkness it is hard to dismiss the connections. I wrote about that book HERE.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mr. Brossard!

P.S. Hunter S. Thompson -- who was not a Beat but sometimes gets associated with them -- was born this date in 1937.

Happy Heavenly Birthday to painter Robert LaVigne

                             

On this date, July 15, artist and Jack Kerouac friend Robert LaVigne was born in Idaho in 1928. He appeared as Guy Levesque in Kerouac's Desolation Angels.

We said a bunch about LaVigne back on February 20, 2022 (click HERE), so there is no need to repeat ourselves today. Don't believe what Ginsberg said in the above picture about LaVigne being Robert Browning in Big Sur. See my February 20 post for an explanation.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mr. LaVigne.

Teach me how to write like Jack Kerouac

 

I gave ChatGPT the task which is the title of this post, and below is what it generated. Some folks are already using ChatGPT instead of Google search for certain tasks, and I can see why. And it's only getting smarter -- by leaps and bounds.

Jack Kerouac was known for his distinctive writing style, which captured the spontaneity and free-spirited nature of the Beat Generation. To write like Jack Kerouac, here are some key elements and techniques you can incorporate into your writing:

1. Embrace Spontaneity: Kerouac believed in writing without inhibition, letting the words flow freely without too much self-editing or censorship. Allow your thoughts and ideas to spill onto the page without worrying about structure or grammar initially.

2. Stream of Consciousness: Kerouac often used a stream-of-consciousness technique, where he wrote down his thoughts as they came to him, without filtering or organizing them. This technique can capture the rawness and immediacy of experience. Try to emulate this style by writing in a continuous flow, without pausing to overthink or analyze.

3. Capture the Rhythm of Speech: Kerouac's writing often mimicked the rhythm and cadence of everyday conversation. He sought to replicate the energy and dynamic nature of oral communication. To write like Kerouac, read your work aloud and pay attention to its musicality and natural flow.

4. Be Observant: Kerouac was known for his keen observation of the world around him. He wrote about the people he encountered, the landscapes he traversed, and the experiences he had. Practice being present in the moment and notice the details that others might overlook. Use vivid descriptions to bring your surroundings to life.

5. Emphasize Sensory Experience: Kerouac believed in capturing the sensory aspects of life in his writing. Pay attention to the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures that make up your experiences. Describe them in rich and evocative language to immerse your readers in the world you're creating.

6. Experiment with Form: Kerouac often experimented with form, breaking away from traditional narrative structures. He incorporated elements like spontaneous prose, lists, fragments, and non-linear storytelling. Don't be afraid to take risks and explore unconventional approaches to writing.

7. Seek Authenticity: Kerouac valued authenticity and sought to express his true self in his work. Be genuine in your writing, drawing from your own experiences, thoughts, and emotions. Avoid pretense and embrace vulnerability.

8. Edit with Precision: While Kerouac's initial writing was spontaneous, he also recognized the importance of careful editing. After your initial burst of creativity, go back to your work and revise it with precision. Polish your prose, tighten your sentences, and refine your ideas while retaining the spirit of spontaneity.

Remember, developing a unique voice and style takes time and practice. Study Kerouac's works to gain a deeper understanding of his writing techniques and experiment with them in your own writing. Ultimately, find your own balance between spontaneity and refinement to create a style that reflects your own artistic vision.

A two-fer-one Kerouac related heavenly birthday

 

Stanley Twardowicz (L) and Peter Orlovsky

Two important Jack Kerouac figures were born on today's date -- July 8: painter Stanley Twardowicz in 1917 and long-time Allen Ginsberg partner Peter Orlovsky in 1933. Twardowicz appeared in one Kerouac novel, Satori in Paris, under his own name. Orlovsky appeared in several Kerouac works: as George in The Dharma Bums, Simon Darlovsky in Desolation Angels, Simon in Book of Dreams, and Paul in Beat Generation.

You can read more about each in our remembrances HERE (Twardowicz) and HERE (Orlovsky).

Happy Heavenly Birthday to Messieurs Twardowicz and Orlovsky.