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Writing the Novel from Plot to Print to Pixel: Expanded and Updated
Lawrence Block's WRITING THE NOVEL remained continuously in print since 1978. But the world of publishing has changed, and Block has expanded and updated his original text, bringing each chapter up to date and adding new material on ebooks, self-publishing, and what perils and opportunities await the new novelist-and the veteran as well.
Unlike many advice-givers, Block doesn't tell you what book to write, or the one and only way to write it. He holds that every novel is different, and so is every novelist; his aim is to give you the tools to enable you to find your own way. Here are some #1-Why Write a Novel? #2-Deciding Which Novel to Write. #3-Read...Study...Analyze. #4-Developing Plot Ideas. #5-Developing Characters. #6-Outlining. #7-Using What You Know...and What You Don't Know. #8-Getting Started. #9-Getting It Written. #10-Snag, Dead Ends, and False Trails. #11-Matters of Style. #12-Length. #13-Rewriting. #14-Getting Published. #15-The Case for Self-Publishing. #16-The Case Against Self-publishing. #17-How to Be Your Own Publisher. #18-Doing It Again. #19-Now It's Up to You! WRITING THE NOVEL FROM PLOT TO PRINT TO PIXEL is half again as long as the original version, and Lawrence Block has managed to retain all the 1978 text while bringing it up to date. As he would be the first to tell you, you don't need this book-or any other-to succeed as a novelist. But thousands of writers have found it helpful. And most of us feel we can use all the help we can get.
Unlike many advice-givers, Block doesn't tell you what book to write, or the one and only way to write it. He holds that every novel is different, and so is every novelist; his aim is to give you the tools to enable you to find your own way. Here are some #1-Why Write a Novel? #2-Deciding Which Novel to Write. #3-Read...Study...Analyze. #4-Developing Plot Ideas. #5-Developing Characters. #6-Outlining. #7-Using What You Know...and What You Don't Know. #8-Getting Started. #9-Getting It Written. #10-Snag, Dead Ends, and False Trails. #11-Matters of Style. #12-Length. #13-Rewriting. #14-Getting Published. #15-The Case for Self-Publishing. #16-The Case Against Self-publishing. #17-How to Be Your Own Publisher. #18-Doing It Again. #19-Now It's Up to You! WRITING THE NOVEL FROM PLOT TO PRINT TO PIXEL is half again as long as the original version, and Lawrence Block has managed to retain all the 1978 text while bringing it up to date. As he would be the first to tell you, you don't need this book-or any other-to succeed as a novelist. But thousands of writers have found it helpful. And most of us feel we can use all the help we can get.
310 pages, Hardcover
Published September 24, 2020
1 person is currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Block
756 books3,023 followersLawrence Block has been writing crime, mystery, and suspense fiction for more than half a century. He has published in excess (oh, wretched excess!) of 100 books, and no end of short stories.
Born in Buffalo, N.Y., LB attended Antioch College, but left before completing his studies; school authorities advised him that they felt he’d be happier elsewhere, and he thought this was remarkably perceptive of them.
His earliest work, published pseudonymously in the late 1950s, was mostly in the field of midcentury erotica, an apprenticeship he shared with Donald E. Westlake and Robert Silverberg. The first time Lawrence Block’s name appeared in print was when his short story “You Can’t Lose” was published in the February 1958 issue of Manhunt. The first book published under his own name was Mona (1961); it was reissued several times over the years, once as Sweet Slow Death. In 2005 it became the first offering from Hard Case Crime, and bore for the first time LB’s original title, Grifter’s Game.
LB is best known for his series characters, including cop-turned-private investigator Matthew Scudder, gentleman burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr, globe-trotting insomniac Evan Tanner, and introspective assassin Keller.
Because one name is never enough, LB has also published under pseudonyms including Jill Emerson, John Warren Wells, Lesley Evans, and Anne Campbell Clarke.
LB’s magazine appearances include American Heritage, Redbook, Playboy, Linn’s Stamp News, Cosmopolitan, GQ, and The New York Times. His monthly instructional column ran in Writer’s Digest for 14 years, and led to a string of books for writers, including the classics Telling Lies for Fun & Profit and The Liar’s Bible. He has also written episodic television (Tilt!) and the Wong Kar-wai film, My Blueberry Nights.
Several of LB’s books have been filmed. The latest, A Walk Among the Tombstones, stars Liam Neeson as Matthew Scudder and is scheduled for release in September, 2014.
LB is a Grand Master of Mystery Writers of America, and a past president of MWA and the Private Eye Writers of America. He has won the Edgar and Shamus awards four times each, and the Japanese Maltese Falcon award twice, as well as the Nero Wolfe and Philip Marlowe awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, and the Diamond Dagger for Life Achievement from the Crime Writers Association (UK). He’s also been honored with the Gumshoe Lifetime Achievement Award from Mystery Ink magazine and the Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer for Lifetime Achievement in the short story. In France, he has been proclaimed a Grand Maitre du Roman Noir and has twice been awarded the Societe 813 trophy. He has been a guest of honor at Bouchercon and at book fairs and mystery festivals in France, Germany, Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and Taiwan. As if that were not enough, he was also presented with the key to the city of Muncie, Indiana. (But as soon as he left, they changed the locks.)
LB and his wife Lynne are enthusiastic New Yorkers and relentless world travelers; the two are members of the Travelers Century Club, and have visited around 160 countries.
He is a modest and humble fellow, although you would never guess as much from this biographical note.
Born in Buffalo, N.Y., LB attended Antioch College, but left before completing his studies; school authorities advised him that they felt he’d be happier elsewhere, and he thought this was remarkably perceptive of them.
His earliest work, published pseudonymously in the late 1950s, was mostly in the field of midcentury erotica, an apprenticeship he shared with Donald E. Westlake and Robert Silverberg. The first time Lawrence Block’s name appeared in print was when his short story “You Can’t Lose” was published in the February 1958 issue of Manhunt. The first book published under his own name was Mona (1961); it was reissued several times over the years, once as Sweet Slow Death. In 2005 it became the first offering from Hard Case Crime, and bore for the first time LB’s original title, Grifter’s Game.
LB is best known for his series characters, including cop-turned-private investigator Matthew Scudder, gentleman burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr, globe-trotting insomniac Evan Tanner, and introspective assassin Keller.
Because one name is never enough, LB has also published under pseudonyms including Jill Emerson, John Warren Wells, Lesley Evans, and Anne Campbell Clarke.
LB’s magazine appearances include American Heritage, Redbook, Playboy, Linn’s Stamp News, Cosmopolitan, GQ, and The New York Times. His monthly instructional column ran in Writer’s Digest for 14 years, and led to a string of books for writers, including the classics Telling Lies for Fun & Profit and The Liar’s Bible. He has also written episodic television (Tilt!) and the Wong Kar-wai film, My Blueberry Nights.
Several of LB’s books have been filmed. The latest, A Walk Among the Tombstones, stars Liam Neeson as Matthew Scudder and is scheduled for release in September, 2014.
LB is a Grand Master of Mystery Writers of America, and a past president of MWA and the Private Eye Writers of America. He has won the Edgar and Shamus awards four times each, and the Japanese Maltese Falcon award twice, as well as the Nero Wolfe and Philip Marlowe awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, and the Diamond Dagger for Life Achievement from the Crime Writers Association (UK). He’s also been honored with the Gumshoe Lifetime Achievement Award from Mystery Ink magazine and the Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer for Lifetime Achievement in the short story. In France, he has been proclaimed a Grand Maitre du Roman Noir and has twice been awarded the Societe 813 trophy. He has been a guest of honor at Bouchercon and at book fairs and mystery festivals in France, Germany, Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and Taiwan. As if that were not enough, he was also presented with the key to the city of Muncie, Indiana. (But as soon as he left, they changed the locks.)
LB and his wife Lynne are enthusiastic New Yorkers and relentless world travelers; the two are members of the Travelers Century Club, and have visited around 160 countries.
He is a modest and humble fellow, although you would never guess as much from this biographical note.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 30, 2021
Loved this book. Just as good for writers or just for fans- even better for people like me who are both. Really interesting to hear a personal & different take on things. Lawrence Block’s novels are masterclasses in storytelling and engagement & this is just as absorbing. It’s also an updated version- so it takes in the ebook revolution & the various paths for writers today. 👍
July 18, 2022
Excellent book. One of my favorites.
March 19, 2026
I enjoyed it, but non-fiction is seriously not for me. I'm glad that Lawrence Block is a funny guy, but it was tougher getting myself through this. It doesn't help that most of the advice boils down to - just write. But I suppose that is the best advice. This book appears to have been more about the overall mechanics of getting a book written and published, rather than improving your plots and characters and prose, but I still did get value out of this.
March 3, 2026
One of the best writing books I have ever read. He does such a good job of showing what has worked for him and what works for others. While also encouraging the reader to just write and that there is no "one size fits all" solution to writing beyond just sitting down and putting words on the page.
This book covers everything in a very down to earth, encouraging way.
This book covers everything in a very down to earth, encouraging way.
October 5, 2023
A godsend. Extremely helpful and encouraging. Funny too!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews