I WAS PEN PALS WITH BUKOWSKI AND KICKED VIN DIESEL'S ASS

in #introduceyourself6 years ago (edited)

Vin Diesel.jpg

Dear Steemits,

You don't know me. I’m just a regular guy who’s figured out clever ways to make his dreams come true. Here are a few examples:

BECOMING A SCREENWRITER:
I've been a screenwriter for a lot of years. Here are some of my movies:
Glory Daze.jpgxxx Tiny.jpegAirheads Small.jpegstoned-age-movie-poster.jpg98aee528-10c1-40f5-ac9c-af8433b8845f_1.f69dc0547cb4314d292b8fbd26e64f60.jpegPLM small.jpgbilly-madison-1995.19094.jpgxxx-roxc-ensemposter-gallery.jpg

How did I do it? I wasn't from L.A. and didn't know anybody in showbiz. All I knew is that I loved movies.

Nobody can stop you from sitting down and writing a screenplay, right? So that's what I did. I was persistent. I found clever ways to get my scripts to people, I cold-called agents and producers, I made friends with receptionists (this was all pre-internet). What finally worked? I applied for a Disney fellowship that I wasn't eligible for. I enclosed a funny cover letter asking them to read my script anyway. They did and I haven't looked back since.

Just like every professional screenwriter I have ever met, I had to figure my own way into Hollywood. If a dumb trick like that worked for me, why not for you too?

BECOMING A JOURNALIST:
Before Hollywood, I wrote for various newspapers and underground ‘zines. I got to meet and interview interesting people like Jello Biafra (DEAD KENNEDYS), Keith Morris (CIRCLE JERKS), Harvey Pekar, and Dan 'HOMER SIMPSON' Castellaneta. How did I get to these people? I asked! This was also pre-internet. I called record labels, sent letters to publishers, inquired with managers and publicists, I went to gigs and introduced myself. Then I wrote the articles and submitted them to newspapers and 'zines until someone printed them. That was an awesome way to get writing experience and meet people I admire.

Me with NOFX in 1992:
NOFX 9-1992.jpg

BECOMING A ROCK STAR:
I always wanted to be the lead singer in a touring rock band. Through a clever trick, I managed to pull that off too. I told the Warped Tour I was going to write about them for Rolling Stone magazine. The gimmick was that I would write from the perspective of a band on the tour. All they had to do was put my unknown garage band on the bill and I would write a big fat article for the biggest music magazine on the planet. The thing was, I didn't know anybody at Rolling Stone magazine. But they didn't know that, so on the tour I went. My band was CARNE ASADA and we brought punk rock mariachi music to the Mid-West.

Carne One.jpg

So was I lying? Not exactly. After they agreed to put me on the tour, I actually DID call Rolling Stone, but they turned me down. I submitted the idea to a couple more places, and they all shot me down too. But by then it was too late. I'd already gotten my slot and I was on the road with the likes of BAD RELIGION, THE VANDALS and MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE. Warped Tour forgot why I was there in the first place and never said a peep.

We also put out an album. We even got it on iTunes:

>link to iTunes<

BECOMING PEN PALS WITH BUKOWSKI:
One of the coolest things happened when I was writing for an underground rag called HALF-TRUTH in 1991. On a whim I reached out to one of my literary idols, Charles Bukowski, for an interview. Bukowski said no. I never hassled him but I kept sending him issues of the 'zine until one day, for whatever reason, he started submitting material. Over the next two years he sent poems, short stories, an early chapter from a novel, cartoons, and self-portraits, all of it brand new and unpublished.

I recently rediscovered this treasure trove, and that's what prompted me to join Steemit. I want to share this material with people who might appreciate it. As far as I know, none of it has been seen since it appeared in HALF-TRUTH 25 years ago.

Here's a letter he sent apologizing for giving an interview to a rival 'zine instead of ours:
Buk Letter 1.jpg

If you haven’t heard of Bukowski, do yourself a favor and discover this wonderful drunken skid-row poet, gambler, screenwriter and novelist. LOVE IS A DOG FROM HELL is as good a place to start as any.
Buk.jpeg

Buk2.jpeg

So that's my deal. I've got stories to share, some cool pictures, and over forty pages of unpublished Bukowski.

I really don't know how to Steemit, so please be patient. I am crap at reposting or upvoting or whatever it is I'm supposed to be doing. Any advice would help.

Best,
Rich Wilkes

Here's my proof of identity (or whatever you call it): My IMDB page

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I'm unfucking believably amazed by your introduction Rich! I would not even know where to start to comment but I'll just say that 1) the Carne Asada band with their mariachi punk-rock could be very well featured in a Quentin Tarantino movie...genius! 2) All considered, with all the good stuff you put in your post you could have made..let's say a series of engaging introduceyourself, not just one! I wish that this post could be noted by @curie and receive a lofty upvote, it would be deserved.

Why don't you partecipate to my Finish the Fiction Story contest? I guess it's easy stuff for you...today's theme is an evil A.I. in he shape of a teddy bear.

Also, we would be honored to see you at the ..

The @greetersguild is a great community that cares for newbies and helps them. We at @greetersguild genuinely want to see users learn, earn and grow.
Join us and we'll grow together! This is our discord channel.

What an awesome greeting, f3nix. Thank you. I checked out your latest Fiction contest. That is an awesome idea and enjoyed reading some of the replies. I followed some of your links. I don't know anything about the discord channels, but I guess I should look into them. Thanks for the encouragement!

Well, honestly thanks to you (the Bukowski letter was priceless!) Just drop your end of the story Rich in my comment section (or you may make a post by itself) and I'll introduce you to the guys of my contest when I'll publish the results.. my plan in time is to create a fiction workshop, who knows maybe some good ideas can come out in our delirious brainstorming sessions 🤔 I transfered to your wallet a symbolic welcome tip.. keep up the good work!

This is an amazingly interesting introduction post. I expect to see you at the top real soon.

Hello! It's nice to see you here!

Congratulations @carneasadafilms! You have received a personal award!

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Well come to the jungle my brother.. i like Vin Disel!!.

Who doesn't love Vin Diesel? The man's a legend!

Hahaa.. my stuntman favorit in the all him movies!!!..

Bukowski is a legend. The Post Office is a classic! Welcome to Steemit man, I'm sure you'll enjoy it here as much as we do :-)

I wish I saw your ska band when I was last in Amsterdam. Thanks for the comment

Please, more Bukowski ! The man was a genius!

Wow! I love your story and how are you looking for the smart way to make your dreams come true... Welcome to this great family... I'm in steem schools and it's great, we help each other grow in steemit, we all win together! We have live art classes, business, poetry, cryptocurrencies, many contests and we had a great time ... if you want to come, you will be welcome. https://discord.gg/h6ykdsu

I guess I will have to learn about Steem Schools too. Thanks for the tip!

Hey there @carneasadafilms! Your introduction was great! I love the idea that you grabbed life by the horns and made something happen! You've gained a follower!

You've gained a follower right back! Thanks for the note and the nice words!

Sweet! Thank you!

Congratulations @carneasadafilms! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :

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