Spider, Spin Me a Web

A Handbook for Fiction Writers

By: Lawrence Block

Narrated by: Richard M. Neer

The craft of writing is a lot like spinning a web: You take threads and weave them skillfully together, and only you know where this intricate network of twists and turns begin and how it will end. Now, with Lawrence Block's expert advice, you can learn this art of entrapping your reader in a maze of fascinating fiction. Spider, Spin Me a Web is the perfect companion volume to Block's previous book on writing, Telling Lies for Fun and Profit, which Sue Grafton noted "should be a permanent part of every writer's library".

As helpful and supportive as always, Block shares what he's learned over the course of writing over a hundred published books: techniques to help you write a solid piece of fiction, strategies for getting a reader (or editor) to read - and buy - your book, ideas for increasing your creativity, and developing an environment that will nourish you and your craft. Spider, Spin Me a Web is a complete guide to achieving your full potential as a writer.

©1997, 2019 Lawrence Block (P)2019 Lawrence Block

Tremendous

Lawrence Block has yet another fantastic book for writers in Spider, Spin Me a Web. This time around, he goes through the needs of the writer in regards to the work itself (how do you handle foreshadowing? Flashbacks? What do you include, what do you omit?), dealing with the struggle of putting words on the page in the first place (procrastination that is born out of fear, comparing oneself to other writers, rejection, confidence to include oneself in the work), the business (surviving on a writer’s income, slush piles), what you might consider philosophy (the timelessness of literature contrasted with the inherent modernity of all good work, age and the writer) and more. It is written in an inviting manner that makes for not only an exceptional handbook for the prospective writer, but a fascinating listen for those who are interested in the thoughts of a man who’d been in this business for thirty or so years at the time of this book’s publication. Insights, anecdotes, personal matters, and straight business interests come together for a very interesting and informative listen. If you’re interested at all in the business of writing regardless of whether you hope to find success in it or if you just love to read, there is something in Spider for you to sink your teeth in.

In regards to the narration, Richard Neer proves to be an excellent proxy for Block. He manages to give the material both a professional and casual quality that invites you to hang out and listen as a master talks shop, while also showing you how the sausage is made. It is easy to lose track of the time as Neer perfectly balances conversation and lecture into a tremendous audiobook.

Coffee with Lawrence Block

I've been reading Lawrence Block's fiction for decades now, and have enjoyed every word.

When I comes to writing, Mr. Block has definitely been there and has the t-shirt to prove it...his body of work speaks for itself. Having some interest in producing my own fiction, I figured I'd see what a master of mystery had to say about it, and I wasn't disappointed.

While this title is billed as a companion to another book Block has written, I haven't read the other book. I can reassure listeners that it doesn't matter, as the subject matter he covers stands on its own effortlessly.

I've never heard Mr. Block speak, but the narrator's conversational voice combined with Block's engaging way of writing made me feel like I was just sitting having coffee with the author. I liked that.

I'm quite certain I will be listening to other audible titles by Mr. Block, fiction or not.