The Thorn Necklace

Starred review from March 15, 2018
In this lyrical and haunting meditation on the craft of writing, Block, the prolific author of adult and teen fiction (including the Weetzie Bat series), cracks open her psyche and lays it bare in the hopes of inspiring other storytellers-to-be. She explores her past with candor and curiosity, presenting the men who have been her muses and her larger-than-life parents, who grounded her art with unwavering support. In this combination memoir and instructional guide, Block emphasizes the healing powers of creativity and provides anecdotal evidence of how writing has saved her sanity throughout the years. Her suggested rules revolve around inquiry, encouraging writers to question everything about their stories, from characters to setting to crisis. With every tip, Block provides examples from classic literature and exercises for writers, such as making characters' mood boards, keeping updated lists of current obsessions, and writing scenes of backstory that may never appear in the final product. Wise and inspiring, this is a must-read for artists of all stripes. The title refers to Frida Kahlo's Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, which Block sees as the perfect symbol of channeling pain into beauty, art, and hope. Perfect for fans of Stephen King's On Writing (2000) and Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic (2015).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)