Customer Reviews

Telling Lies for Fun and Profit

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I recently ordered and received Lawrence Block's book, 'Writing the Novel From Plot to Print.' IF you are very serious about writing a novel, this small book provides some thoughtful, though verbose information on tips and tricks and should and shouldn't's.
In the same order package, I purchased 'Telling Lies for Fun and Profit -- A Manuel for Fiction Writers.' I was very dissapointed to find that the second book was an almost verbatim version of the 'Writing the Novel...' book.
Keeping that in mind, if/when you order either of the books, go for the cheapest used version you can get of either because Mr. Block tells the same anecdotes, the same thoughts, and information in both books--almost verbatim.
I just wish that on either of the books information, either in Amazon or Printer's Editorial/Description, it would have been noted that the first book was a rewrite of the second (or vice versa).
As to the value of the information that is provided in either book--it's OK, but nothing earthshattering that will help you write a blockbuster novel. The text itself reads easily, as if you were having a conversation with Mr. Block in the same room. Very friendly and easy to understand--nothing you would need a college degree to comprehend.

I don't write fiction, but I do read a lot of it. Lawrence Block is one of my favorite writers and when I stumbled across his book of advice to fiction writers, I figured it would be an interesting read. How does the master do it? What are his tricks?

I wasn't disappointed.

"Telling Lies" is a compilation of column's Block wrote for Writer's Digest magazine. Block doesn't really have anything new to say about the craft of writing fiction, but he does say it in interesting ways. His writing style is as smooth and refreshing as in any of his novels as he guides the aspiring writer to success.

Ultimately the advice is what you'd expect. Write, write, write. Rewrite and write some more. Okay, he covers more territory than this, like the importance of story and surprise and character development. But the essential message is never stop writing: write every day, whether you fell like it or not. Tell your story.

Overall an entertaining and enlightening diversion for the fiction fan. Kind of an inside look from a true master.

Jerry