Augusten Burroughs' new book offers "Proven Aid in Overcoming Shyness, Molestation, Fatness" and more

BY Jamie Skorheim  on May 24, 2012 @ 10:00 am (Updated: 9:56 pm - 5/25/12 )

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Augusten Burroughs has never read a self-help book but he's now written one with "Proven Aid in Overcoming Shyness, Molestation, Fatness, Spinsterhood, Grief, Disease" and more. (AP)

An author who managed to live through extreme circumstances involving abuse and alcoholism and then became a New York Times best-selling author, says his move into the self-help genre was an effort to do something useful.

"I've spent ten years or longer telling people everything I've gone through. And I've been told by people, readers, that this book was very helpful, or that book was very helpful, and I always kind of think in the back of my mind, 'I thank you, but I didn't write it to be helpful, and I know I can be a lot more helpful,'" said writer Augusten Burroughs in an appearance on 97.3 KIRO FM's Terry Jaymes Alive. "I've gone through a lot of stuff and I wanted to put it to use."

Burroughs' new book "This Is How: Proven Aid in Overcoming Shyness, Molestation, Fatness, Spinsterhood, Grief, Disease, Lushery, Decrepitude & More. For Young and Old Alike," offers readers familiar with his life story from his memoir writings a little insight in how he made it through.

While he didn't get it from books, his self-help knowledge seems to be plentiful.

"When you don't have parents or adults to turn to for advice, you have to solve it yourself, and the only way you're going to do that as a kid is by being completely honest with your circumstances and not lying to yourself," says Burroughs. "That's the way you solve your problems is by understanding first of all what they really are and where you really stand."

This frankness with himself he says saved him from holding on to unrealistic dreams that he believes can be a block if you don't have the stuff to make it happen.

Burroughs is a big believer in relying on your instincts and says he's found where he's happiest in a job that allows him to be himself.

He says his writing career came about kind of accidentally.

"I was a heavy drinker, an alcoholic for years and years," says Burroughs. "I started writing accidentally one day. I sat down in the midst of my alcohol poisoning and I wrote something that made me laugh, and I hadn't laughed for a long time."

Burroughs says four days into the process of writing, he stopped drinking "because it was in the way."

"On the seventh day, I finished it and I never drank again."

After writing a book in seven days, Burroughs says, "I just decided to keep doing it."

The success of his second book, he says was a shock to everyone.

"No one expected it would sell because of the subject matter, you know, you've got molestation in there, and craziness. It just was not the sort of stuff best sellers are made of, so I was still working and then it was published and it was almost overnight that it was kabooming."

Today he says he feels fortunate to be a full-time writer and wants to share with others what he can from his own experience.

"I wanted to write a book that was filled with the thinking that worked for me."

Terry Jaymes Alive can be heard on 97.3 KIRO FM on Saturday at 3 p.m. or anytime ON DEMAND at MyNorhwest.com.

By JAMIE GRISWOLD, MyNorthwest.com Editor

Jamie Skorheim, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Whether it's floating on Green Lake, eating shrimp tacos at Agua Verde, or taking weekend drives out to the Cascades, she loves to enjoy the Pacific Northwest lifestyle as much as humanly possible.
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Comments (8)


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  • Burn_Notice wrote...
    Interesting Author...but
    May 26, 2012 7:27 am
    "Terry Jaymes Alive can be heard on 97.3 KIRO FM on Saturday at 3 p.m. or anytime ON DEMAND at MyNorhwest.com. " someone needs to proofread. Misspelling the name of your own website seems par for the course over at mynorthwest.com
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  • tuleman003 wrote...
    What's par for the course,
    May 27, 2012 6:55 am
    is that people today miss the entire point of the messege by critisizing the delivery.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    and his 'message' is what ?
    May 27, 2012 8:44 am
    that you can remake yourself if you really, really try ? . By being honest with yourself ? ................. All true, but the vast majority of people DO NOT solve their problems just because the want to. That's the FIRST STEP, but..................... His BS that he stopped drinking "because it was in my way." might be admirable but wouldn't be true for well over 99% of addicts. It just don't happen that way. ................. So, in toto, this book (and 2nd book) serves only to enrich Mr. Burroughs. And like a thousand others before (and to come) gives false hope to those looking for an easy solution - to everything.
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  • youmad wrote...
    i have something that works better
    May 27, 2012 9:36 am
    a gym membership.
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  • longwayhome wrote...
    Overcoming stupidity!
    May 27, 2012 8:05 pm
    This is the book for the republicans! I will buy 10 copies and send them to my republican friends. It couldn't hurt, but on the other hand, it is a self help book. Not many republicans are smart enough to help themselves, they listen to the radio and let rush and his idiot friends make their political decisions for them. How silly of me to think that it will make a difference. At this point in the pre-election process, after all the republican stupidity, if anyone votes for romney they will be voting in vain because he will lose. Not a chance in hell.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    wrongway - I haven't an idea if this guy is left, right, up or down
    May 27, 2012 8:19 pm
    But neither do you. At least not from anything posted with this story. .. But you just go ahead and buy your 10 copies - I'm sure Burroughs will appreciate your money. .. God knows, he'll need a lot of stupid people buying his books. .......... But, considering virtually ALL of your posts and responses are predictable, as is almost EVERYTHING from the left ,. who delivers YOUR lock-step 'opinions' ???????
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  • longwayhome wrote...
    ron
    May 27, 2012 9:21 pm
    Maybe I'm over the top on my views of the political process, but I'm using every aspect of the the media to try and get people to realize that the republican party is not out for their best interests. I don't know a thing about this author but if he can help a struggling republican come to grips with the issues that come as common sense to a Democrat, then we are all the better for it. Right? Most republicans I have talked to don't have a clue as to who to vote for.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    well, that's better than the Law/Lawn fued but
    May 28, 2012 4:36 am
    EVERYTHING doesn't have to be political. Some things can be non-partisan ridiculous. .. ..
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