I have been watching in amazement as giant spiders weave their webs. It is art in the making. A spider’s creativity is a lot like an author’s. Only we weave with words instead of wispy-looking filaments.
The spider selects a place to start and leaps from the eave to a nearby post or branch hoping it is starting from a solid, sustainable place and that its single gossamer-like thread will hold. The author picks a place to begin and leaps forward with the thread of a plot she hopes will hold strong onto her characters to the end of her tale.
Once the all important first thread is securely anchored, the spider leaps to another nearby location forming the second side of its web. The author adds some secondary characters who travel intersecting paths to the main plot thread. The author must be careful. Strong characters may try to divert the main idea to be more about them masking the original story behind their overwhelming personalities.
The spider rests admiring its work. Suddenly the wind blows a stray leaf into the web destroying one side of it. Back to weaving for the arachnid. The author proudly gives the book to an early reader only to hear there are gaps in the timeline that must be corrected. The main character cannot be the criminal. They don’t even meet the victim until two chapters later.
The spider diligently rebuilds a complete circular web, then waits to be fed. And it waits. And waits. The author fixes the plot points, rereads it for the ninth time—this time out loud—trying to sand off all the rough edges and make the manuscript shine. Then she sends it to the editor. She picks up another work in progress to fiddle with until she hears about this one. And she waits. And waits.
The spider is rewarded when an insect becomes stuck in the sticky web. It rushes over to further encase it in more threads to savor later. The author gets the email. The one with a contract attached. She cries. It isn’t the first wonderful attachment she’s gotten. It doesn’t matter. Every single one is something special. She cries happy tears and prints out the contract to savor (and sign) sooner than later.
The spider doesn’t have enough food to last the winter dormancy. It hopefully watches for more insects to come visiting. The author anxiously watches for the final galleys. It comes after rounds of tweaking and wordsmithing. Oh, the things the author learns in this complex process: tenses and persons; showing not telling; and punctuation rules you didn’t learn in school. After the final galleys are declared to be perfect, another wonderful email touting the worldwide release date for the new book baby. More happy tears as the author marks her calendar.
The spider’s web is filled with little packets of future feasts and more prey is captured every day. It is content. The author hopes the cover of the book and the all important blurb pull the discriminating reader closer and closer until they click the BUY NOW icon on the screen. They do! They even buy another of the author’s books listed on the same page. There is much rejoicing! The author smiles with tears in her eyes.
The spider is sated and the author is blessed. Thank you for all the smiles and tears you have given this author!
Keep spinning Kim!!! As always, an interesting and enjoyable read. Thanks for including me and always making my day better with each article I read.
Love reading about how the “spider” creates a Story!!! I have so much enjoyed reading your books!!📚 Can’t wait for the Christmas Book!!❤️
Love a good analogy and a good read! Thanks Kim!
This is wonderful, Kim!!!
Interesting comparison, but how true.
Hello Kim,
I enjoyed the analogy of the spider and the author. Nicely done! Thank you for including me.
I hope you and Jim are well. My family is fine. My oldest granddaughter was recently engaged to be married. A springtime wedding is planned. Two other granddaughters will graduate from college this spring so it will be a busy season. Take care,
Bill(y)
Kim, I am always in awe of your talent! The spinning of the tale, the spinning of the yarn, and the spinning of the spider, are all done with such skill that it keeps all of us glued to your words, your thoughts, and looking forward to what’s next. I’m always touched by your heart, your surprise at your success, and your acknowledgement of where your talent originates. I admire you, My Friend. Congratulations on a job well done.
Very interesting analogy, Kim. I’m looking forward to your next novel.
Perfect analogy!
Beautifully woven, just like your stories ❤
Beautiful, Kim. I know your next one will be a huge success! 🙂
So proud of the accomplished “spinner” you have become; from cozy, warm, woolen socks to stories with unexpected twists. Anxiously awaiting your next release!