Some great quotes by Charlie Huston

Last night I had great chat with Maria over at FantasyBookSpot (drop by in the chat once, it is a fun place to hang around) and subject of swearing and Charlie Huston came up. She told me that she once sent Huston a couple of emails in which she addressed the issue that he overly used the F-bomb in his novels at times. His answer to was quite hilarious I admit. Check out the full thread here over at the wonderful FBS.

” Glad you liked it. Next time you’re on with the forum, tell ‘em I said I’m pleased as all fucking hell to have them reading.
Best to ya,
charlie “

“Please tell them it’s a message sent with love.

Also, if you think they can bear it, I’ve pasted in an entry from my website that I wrote a couple years back. Feel free to share it with them.

Best,

charlie

Vile Manners: August 18th, 2005 —

NEW YORK, August, 18 – Vanity is a shameful quality.

Therefore, having previously used this forum to draw attention to positive reviews I’ve received, I suppose it’s time to give equal space to the opposition.

So:

“I thought this book had the most vile language than in any other book I have read. The author is certainly well versed in four letter words, at least one that begins with “F” The only saving grace was Bud, the cat, who brought civility to the main character, who also loved his parents. I was looking for an amusing escape similar to Hiason’s work.” – Reader review of “Caught Stealing” posted on Amazon

Vile.

Vile?

My language is the most vile she has ever read in any book.

I think I’m blushing.

Seriously now, I don’t want to be overly light about this. The woman who posted this review apparently laid down several of her hard earned dollars to buy my book and help me to pay off my advance. All she got for her investment was a read full of my vile language.

So, first off, I’d like to thank her for taking a chance on my work. I’ve read one of Mr. Hiason’s books, and enjoyed it, but I can see how the pants-shitting incident on page 40 of “Caught Stealing” might come as a shock when what you were looking for was a risqué romp through the Floridian backwoods.

Second, while I’m genuinely sorry that she didn’t like the book (I want everyone to like my work), I can’t honestly apologize for my language, vile or otherwise. What I can do is assure her that my foul mouth is my mom’s fault.

No shit.

My mom curses like a fucking longshoreman and she taught me virtually everything I know about vile language and the fucking “F” word.

Mind you, my dad’s no slouch. But while mom curses like a longshoreman, dad made his living as a teamster and his curses took a back seat. He was also out of the house 9-5 and just didn’t get as many opportunities to help craft my vocabulary. No knock on his efforts, he just didn’t get to put in the hours that mom did.
Nope, when it comes to vile fucking language, mom was my tutor.

She gave me classics like,
“Make sure there’s no shit on your shoes.”

And,
“Who left their shit here?”

Often followed by,
“I’m not your fucking maid.”

Who could forget,
“Take that shit outside.”?

And the all time winner,
“Watch your fucking language.”

But lest you think she was neglecting her duties to help give me a well rounded education, she also taught me to curse in her family’s native Serbo-Croatian.

To this day I can swear quite fluently in two languages.

She also, along with my dad, taught me some manners.
Please.
Thank you.
How to open a door or offer to carry something for someone with their hands full.

That kind of thing.

So maybe I should make a proper apology here.

Ma’am, whoever you are, I’d like to apologize for any offence you took at my use of language. I’m very fucking sorry.

And, hey, mom, thanks a fucking bunch for the manners. Shit, you fucking too, dad. Fucking love you guys.

Have a fine fucking day,
Charlie “