A Selection of Weekend Inputs

What did we take in this week, children?

the first image that came up when I google searched “algorithm” contained this newsletter’s title in it, so I included it. I will not be explaining what an algorithm is in this email simply because I do not know, despite using the word 4-5 times a day

Check out my first post here to read more about the namesake of this newsletter and make a copy of the input/output tracking sheet if you so desire.

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Last 2024 Class!

After this I’m going on personal leave followed by book leave (Publisher’s Marketplace screenshot for the book coming soon!!!). I’ll be teaching again in 2025.

Write Like an Athlete, Saturday, April 6th, 1-3pm ET (online, $75, class recap comes with slides). VIDEO RECORDING AVAIL FOR ONE MONTH IF YOU CAN’T ATTEND LIVE!

• What do writing and athletics have in common? Oh, just a dedication to day-to-day improvement, long-term commitment to a goal, and the cultivation of mental toughness. In this seminar, former competitive distance swimmer Caitlin Kunkel will weave together concepts from writing and sports psychology to help participants strengthen their creative practice. We'll cover things like self-talk, pre-performance routines, practical goal setting, balanced critiques, social accountability, and more when it comes to building and maintaining a healthy and strong writing practice. Don't worry, no physical activity is required!

  Here is a recent interview I did on the class.

• Recent Testimonials:

  • “Caitlin is an outstanding teacher. The time FLEW by because I was so engaged. So much amazing information and I feel energized to go write.”

  • “Caitlin’s an excellent teacher. Her enthusiasm is infectious, her experience broad, and her generosity appreciated.”

  • “Amazing session! Caitlin gave me a true nonstop sprint of inspiration and new ways to think about the writing process and mentality. She was so engaging and fostered a space where everyone participated.”

  • “I loved this course and learned quite a bit. Caitlin is a great teacher. I would highly recommend it!”

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Weekend Inputs:

• I assume many of you have read the Andrew Huberman NY Magazine piece by this point. But have you also read numerous Reddit threads discussing it ad nauseum?? I ran over to r/HubermanLab to bear witness to men having men meltdowns (they are calling each other “bro” in VERY unbro-like ways) and curated these picks for you (some quite serious, be warned). “Non-black sweater” in the analysis below killed me.

  

• Stephen King’s First Book Is 50 Years Old, and Still Horrifyingly Relevant

  “Carrie” was published in 1974. Margaret Atwood explains its enduring appeal. Great article, and many people forget that Carrie has epistolary elements in it from the Carrie White Commission’s investigation and report.

• “Percival Everett Can’t Be Pinned Down.” The only PE book I’ve read is the Bond spoof Dr. No, and I have my copy of James ready to go! It’s a retelling of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from enslaved Jim’s perspective.

• If you’ve seen Dune 2, you will enjoy

  Read Max
  ’s comphrensive annotations.

• Speaking of fallen gurus, this isn’t as much of a takedown, but like, we must agree that a monk who makes millions is probably a shady monk, right? “Uncovering the higher truth of Jay Shetty.”

• THIS YOUNG MAN COMPLETING SIX QUADS TO THE SUCESSION THEME SONG I’VE WATCHED IT TEN TIMES HE IS 19 YEARS OLD!!! And in an interview he said he’s never seen Succession because he doesn’t have an HBO account. What a power move. Also the final reaction. Also the skating tuxedo. There’s a lot to love here, might have to write another very serious Craft Essay.

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And three recent videos my YouTube algorithm recommended, please psychoanalyze me accordingly:

unbelievably rude

I am kind of interested in this one have to be honest

counterpoint: yes i am

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What have you been taking in? Drop links in comments.

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ABOUT ME: My name is Caitlin Kunkel and I’m a comedy writer, long-time teacher, and creator of The Second City’s Online Satire Writing Program. I currently teach classes and consult on gift book proposals, modern adaptation, satire, and comedic literature. I co-founded The Belladonna Comedy and the Satire and Humor Festival, and I co-wrote the satirical gift book New Erotica for Feminists: Satirical Fantasies of Love, Lust, and Equal Pay, named one of the Top 10 Comedy Books of 2018 by Vulture.