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Spider, Spin Me a Web

A Handbook for Fiction Writers

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Spider, Spin Me a Web

By: Lawrence Block
Narrated by: Richard M. Neer
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About this listen

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 Career Success Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing Employment Career Fiction
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Most relevant  
I'm a fan of nearly everything Block writes. His natural, easy-going, funny, conversational tone make hours roll by when I read his fiction. For anyone who's tried their hand at writing, they'll know he makes something very difficult seem effortless. Here we go behind the scenes as Block reveals some tips on how to get it done. I've paid for expensive writing courses in my time and in my humble opinion, I think money is better spent on Block's now growing collection of how-to on audible (very grateful for the audio aspect, as multiple listens to this stuff help the tips sink in). Solid narration too.

Sagely mentorship

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Synopsis/blurb...

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.
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My take.....

Having no aspirations whatsoever to write fiction in any format or genre - I know my limitations, I wasn't too sure whether I would enjoy this offering. But I really did.

It probably worked better for me as an audio book than if I was reading the written page, that way the thoughts, opinions, musings, advice, experiences, anecdotes (you get the picture) came through as if I was having a conversation with the author, albeit a very one-sided one. I found myself listening to it more times than just the commute to work

It's based around a monthly column Mr Block wrote for Writer's Digest back in the 80s and while the world of publishing and pretty much everything else has changed radically since then, I guess the art of getting it down on the page hasn't.

There are frequent mentions of his then latest Matthew Scudder book - Eight Million Ways to Die - that have me longing for a re-read. Some of his earlier pulp work is mentioned, as is the first short story he ever sold to Manhunt magazine for $100. Hopefully more than 60 years after first putting pen to paper he has a few more stories left in him.

An enjoyable diversion from my usual reading, aided by a pleasant narration from Richard Neer.

4 from 5

Read - (listened to) November, 2019
Published - 1988
Page count - 243 pages (10 hours 5 minutes)
Source - Audible download code received from one of the author's assistants
Format - Audible

https://col2910.blogspot.com/2019/11/lawrence-block-spider-spin-me-web-1988.html

Interesting, but no writerly ambitions myself!

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Listener received this title free

I very much enjoyed both the style and the content of this audiobook. It is from a different pre Amazon and social media time but offers some insight into the life of a successful paper back writer. The narrator was a pleasure to listen to and even if I never publish a book this was a pleasant use of my time.

A pleasure to listen to experts in their craft.

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