Burnt Roof of Mouth

Post by **mccutcheon** » Mon Sep 23, 2002 5:53 pm

Burnt Roof of Mouth, a novel by McCutcheon is done. I just finished the motherfucker. And it's pretty good if I do say so myself. And I don't know what if feels like to become a daddy but this feels just great.

Brett · Post by **Brett** » Tue Sep 24, 2002 7:16 am

When can we read it?

Post by **mccutcheon** » Tue Sep 24, 2002 4:38 pm

you can read it when it's published. that doesn't mean i'm being an asshole, I'll give you a free copy, it just means like me, you'll have to wait.

I'm editing it now, what do you think about 9/11 references. They have come up and it is a post 9/11 novel. but I don't want the thing to be construed as American flag waving. I want more timless greatness like Catcher in the Rye or The Sun Also Rises than flash in the pan Generation X. i already emailed my European agent, Martino for his opinion, what does other Pax Acidus people think?

Post by **Sloth** » Tue Sep 24, 2002 10:09 pm

Congrats. That is wonderful news. Holy shit. I am still 25,000 words away from finishing my first novella. Total writers block. I don't care though. Now I don't have to worry about writing well because I will be famous by association.

Now put together a book of your short stories and you will have another full length one finished. Folks I knew McCutcheon when he was an illiterate drug addict and now he is a a LITERARY GOD

<sarah> · Post by **<sarah>** » Tue Sep 24, 2002 10:09 pm

I don't think it matters if 9/11 is referenced or not -- it happened; it made life feel different, and if the rest of the novel feels as real as the first part it will be there

so that's my opinion

I can't wait until it's published -- hip-hip-hooray! And a big huge congratulations on finishing it.

rabbit · Post by **rabbit** » Tue Sep 24, 2002 10:13 pm

rock on, ill mail you my address

<Jack Chiefton> · Post by **<Jack Chiefton>** » Tue Sep 24, 2002 10:39 pm

so you did insert references about 9/11 on your finished copy, or you are thinking about it? My mind is a wreck momentarily. it's been a long day, and maybe i just didn't understand your reply.

however, if you didn't and are thinking about adding 9/11 references, i'd say, and this is my opinion only, don't do it.
like sarah said, the images the story creates are real enough. when reading, it's like you are there.

Post by **mccutcheon** » Wed Sep 25, 2002 4:14 pm

No they are in there as I wrote it. See I started it over three years ago, got to the part that is on Pax Acidus, and gave up for over two years. Then this last 8 months I’ve been writing up to 2,000 words a day, except the days I did nothing of course, but now it’s done. I just don’t ever want to be seen as cashing in on tragedy, or have it come out to hype because it does mention 9/11 but that’s because Trevor lives in New Jersey right across from the Medowlands and he also takes a flight out of La Guardia.

But I should go back and explain more. My work that pays the bills takes me into malls more than I would ever care to admit. The other day I was passing a smallish bookshop, like Daltons, or some such shit, you know the type of place, all Stevie King, Tom Clancey and Oprah book club stuff—the fast food chain equivalent of literature, and they had a wall of 9/11. And I had to walk out. But at the same time I would almost sell my soul to sell this novel. And would I lean that way because I think it might help subconsciously. I’m a bit too close to it to maybe see it with artistic integrity. Now I know that sounds like ivory league academic pedantic bullshit, and it is but this baby is so dear to my heart. Like the bullshit I was saying about how I want it to stand the test of time like Catcher in the Rye or Sun Also Rises. I know if, and when it does get published I’m going to get compared to McInnery (He wrote Bright Lights Big City- The people at Zootrope –Francis Ford Coppolas house said I was too much like him. I had seen that movie but never read anything by him, so I got a couple of his books and couldn’t get into them. I thought I was way different. Anyway, I’ll be compared to all the young writer dudes, and so be it, shit.

Here is a part towards the end, if I sent the scene I would give way too much away. I think this bit is funny though on it’s own. It's dedicated to Jack Chiefton:

After the funeral we go back to the house to have a proper Irish style wake. Everyone is enjoying the drinks that are being provided by Perdy. There is some singing and the supermarket women are getting tipsy. I see Mike in the corner talking to Bill and Bonnie and dash over there. I don’t want a fight to break out during grandpa’s last hurrah, even though that might be fitting.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“Bill here is getting Bonnie into literature,” Mike says.

“I’m doing the classics,” Bonnie says proudly.

“Oh yeah?”

“Books on tape,” Bill clarifies.

“Right now I’m doing Jane Eyre.” Bonnie is all smiley and glowing.

I’ve known Bonnie a long time, even before she got her fake tits, and for all her air-headed bimboism, I’ve never really seen her smile. I can’t remember a single time I ever saw her happy until now. Now she is with Bill, all giggly after a funeral. So good for her I think. I once read that what women really want most from men is for their men to make them laugh. This coupling would prove that.

Mike and I walk away leaving the happy couple alone.

“So it’s really okay with you then?” I ask.

“Yeah, we even talked it over, I mean not screaming but talked it through.”

“It must feel good to get that monkey off your back.”

“More like fucking King Kong.”

“That good huh?”

“Better than intercourse with Kate Moss.”

“No way.”

“Kate was always a little prudish you know,” Mike says and starts to laugh.

<Jack Chiefton> · Post by **<Jack Chiefton>** » Wed Sep 25, 2002 10:16 pm

I see, I see, of course. So as you were finishing the novel, the attacks happened. It all makes sense now. Well, if you were finishing the story when the attacks happened, then make the reference, it fits geographically.

and thanks for the dedication, I smiled.

marky · Post by **marky** » Thu Sep 26, 2002 9:05 am

I don't think references to 9/11 are bad in and of themselves, it's how it's done. Personally I think I'd like to see it done with some subtlety,
some poetry, just anything out of the ordinary.
Congrats on your novel, McC, look forward to
reading the whole of it!

Brett · Post by **Brett** » Fri Sep 27, 2002 5:14 pm

I'll buy the book, I'd love an autographed copy. Sorry to be so blunt before, but I've been waiting over year to see how Burnt Roof turns out. Any idea on when it will be published?

Post by **mccutcheon** » Fri Sep 27, 2002 5:53 pm

I'll let you know. and of course I'll give you a signed one. These things take longer than excpected though. thanks, and I love your interest.

audioize · Post by **audioize** » Sat Sep 28, 2002 3:55 am

9/11 was the biggest most important day that has really happened in the lives of people my age. (I am 18.) I was not around for WW2, etc... I think that if you finish this book and have NO reference's to 911 then that may seem a little odd, but if you write the book entirely based around 911, then you would be considered a jerk-off in my humble opinion. There is a line between writing it for the money and writing it for the passion of writing. Maybe I am not making sense..

.. Anyways... I think that you should put in a subtle reference to it, but I have read Burnt Roof of Mouth through chapter 15 as I recall, and I could not stop! I really love that novel, and I know it will be awsome!.. take care..
~Scott

<pigboy> · Post by **<pigboy>** » Sat Sep 28, 2002 1:31 pm

Maybe you should rename the book "Burnt Roof of the World Trade Center on September 11th"

Post by **mccutcheon** » Sat Sep 28, 2002 4:33 pm

No the agent is going to call it.

Pizza on top of the Twin Towers, Well Burnt.