Jim wrote, in reply to Jacques:
> Fiction, by its very nature, puts the writer at
a
> remove from the reader. But Block's comments
about
> the craft of fiction are as close to an inside
look
> into Block's personality as you're likely to
get.
>
> And, if you're a writer, or aspire to be one,
they're
> among the best "how-to" books out there.
Yep. Useful, pragmatic and, thanks to his prose style,
definitely among the most fun to read.
As for getting to "know" the real Block, Jim's dead on.
Block's actually one of the most giving of writers, in terms
of making himself available -- to fans, fellow writers and
the mystery community in general. He writes a great
newsletter, has written extensively about writing and crime
fiction, and generally is open to anyone who asks.
He attends conferences, signings and conventions (and
supermarket openings, probably). I've run into him a few
times, and was fortunate enough to interview him a few years
ago for JANUARY MAGAZINE. He's invariably easy going and
engaging, and direct -- both on and off the record. The joke
I've heard in mystery circles is that the rarest collectible
of all is the Lawrence Block book that's unsigned by the
author.
My guess is that the "real" real Block is a mixture of Bernie
affability and Scudder wariness, with a little of the
whimsicality of Keller tossed into the mix. And he's pretty
much New York down to the bone.
Kevin Burton Smith Thrilling Detective Web Site Holiday 2007
Issue New fiction from Stodghill, Narvaez, Sundeson and
Collins. Plus the 2007 Thrillies.
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