ARAB TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13 People & Places Books ‘A Writer Prepares’ Block’s memoir recalls colorful writing career NEW YORK, June 1, (AP): Lawrence Block has fol- lowed many paths during his long career. “With not a few dead end roads among them,” notes the mystery novelist. Best known for his Matthew Scudder and Bernie Rhodenbarr series, Block has released dozens of pop- ular works through Harper Collins and Dutton among other mainstream publishers. He has received multiple Edgar Awards and Anthony Awards for outstanding fi ction, and his lifetime achievement honors include the Diamond Dagger from the British Crime Writers’ Association and Grand Master status in the Mystery Writers of America. But he has also completed dozens of works under other names, by publishers and publications long since forgotten, and, in some cases, of questionable legality. More recently, he has been publish- ing the books himself, includ- ing “Dead Girl Blues” and the Rhodenbarr novel “The Bur- glar In Short Order,” which both came out in 2020, and his current work, the memoir “A Writer Prepares.” “One big plus of self-pub- lishing is how quickly it can be managed. I can reduce waiting Block time by a minimum of a year if I publish something myself,” he explains. “The downside is not to be shrugged off. Self-pub- lished books rarely get reviewed and hardly ever show up in bookstores. ‘Dead Girl Blues’ didn’t make me This image released by BritBox shows Vicky McClure, (left), and Kelly Macdonald in a scene from the BBC police drama series ‘Line of Duty.’ (AP) rich, and neither will ‘A Writer Prepares.’ But nothing I write is going to do that, no matter who publishes it, and whatever I self-publish stays forever available in electronic and print editions, and probably fi nds what- ever audience it deserves to have.” Television Block is a longtime Greenwich Village resident, fully vaccinated and back outside, enjoying a nice big plate of Brussels sprouts during a recent afternoon in- terview at a favorite cafe. Passersby and fellow diners UK’s most-watched show of 21st century do not seem to notice anything special about this bald, plainly dressed man with the graveled voice, though at least some likely know about his books. Profession ‘Line of Duty,’ is unique cop show “A Writer Prepares” is a bit of unfi nished business for Block, who turns 83 this summer and fi rst worked NEW YORK, June 1, (AP): Actor show also stars Martin Compston, shows that formulaically lionize of- on the memoir in the 1990s, during “a positively fe- Kelly Macdonald recently got a taste Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar. fi cers as incorruptible and invariably verish week” at an Illinois artist retreat. But he had of what it feels like to have reached a The series is ingeniously created honorable while usually debasing other projects at the time and left the memoir in a ma- new level of fame. to allow fi rst-time viewers access fellow offi cers charged with investi- nila envelope in a closet near his desk. When he came upon the manuscript last year, he gave it another look She was taking a train down to while also rewarding long-time fans. gating them. and was pleased by what he saw. London from her native Scotland It focuses on an anti-corruption unit “I think the audience is more so- In “A Writer Prepares,” Block looks back to his when the conductor approached. A within the police force. The charac- phisticated than that now,” said childhood in Buffalo, New York, when he was his character actor wearing a mask, she ters in the unit remain the same each Mercurio. “They appreciate that own biggest skeptic. In 11th grade English, he was as- felt quite inconspicuous. season, but the case and perceived there has to be checks and balances signed a paper on what his future profession might be. Jenny Beavan poses with the award But Macdonald didn’t even have villain are new each time. in policing because police offi cers His theme was “uncertainty,” he recalled. He confi ded for best costume design for ‘Mad Max: to speak before she was found out. The baddie in season six seems to are capable of infl icting lethal force that he would never fulfi ll his father’s dream for him Fury Road’ at the Oscars in Los An- “He pointed at me and he said, ‘It’s be Macdonald, whose credits include on citizens, and some of those citi- to become a doctor, and that an early wish to be a gar- geles on Feb 28, 2016. Beavan de- you, isn’t it?’” she recalled. “It’s “Trainspotting,” “Harry Potter and zens who are tragically the victims bage man ended when his mother told him the work signed the costumes for the film ‘Cru- something I’m adjusting to.” the Deathly Hallows - Part 2” and of lethal force are innocent. There’s would chap his hands. ella.’ (AP) — See Page 12 The actor’s outsized fame is large- “The Girl in the Cafe,” which earned a tremendous injustice that is being He ended the piece with a disclaimer: “On reading ly due to her appearance on the BBC her a best supporting actress Emmy. perpetrated.” over this composition, one thing becomes clear. I can police drama series “Line of Duty,” Macdonald argues that anyone never be a writer.” a show which has taken Britain by Audience given power can be in danger of mis- Responded his teacher, Miss Jepsen, who gave him storm. “More people have watched She had a lot of catching up to do using it. “It’s like in any of the super- an A: “I wouldn’t be too sure of that.” this than have watched anything else since she hadn’t watched any of the hero movies, it’s a worry. You can Block attended Antioch College, the setting for his I’ve done ever,” said Macdonald. previous seasons. The role as a sen- become like Lex Luther like that,” extra-pulpy novel “Campus Tramp,” but never gradu- The season six fi nale in the UK ior offi cer was strong, but it was in ated and eventually settled in New York. Ambitious said said, snapping her fi ngers. was watched by more than 15 mil- an unfamiliar project - a tense pro- As for the success of the show, she and prolifi c, he would take on the kind of assignments cedural where the pressure adds up not generally discussed at the University of Iowa lion viewers, becoming the most- has a theory: “People love to be like Writers’ Workshop or offered by the Paris Review. seen drama so far of the 21st century turn by turn. “It was sort of part of a detective themselves,” she said. Before “Lawrence Block” became a publishing in Great Britain. It’s estimated that the reason I thought I really have to “And the great thing about ‘Line of brand, he was introduced to readers as Anne Camp- more than half of all TVs switched do this,” she said. Duty’ and Jed is he keeps that going bell Clark, or Chip Harrison, or Jill Emerson, or Todd Tannehill on at the time were tuned to “Line The actor tapped into her dark like no one else.” Sheldon Lord. He wrote erotica and lesbian novels, of Duty.” side, which she refi ned on “Board- called himself Dr. Benjamin Morse as he completed “It’s really hard to explain. As a walk Empire,” where she played Also: “Sexual Surrender in Women,” and, as, John Warren content creator, as a writer, all I can a woman likely enough to level a LOS ANGELES: There are dueling Wells, turned out a bit of fi eld research titled “Tricks Variety do is do my best job in telling sto- shotgun at a foe. “I have historically biopic series ahead on Mike Tyson, of the Trade: A Hooker’s Handbook.” He wrote for ries and fi lling out the characters. played quite innocent creatures,” she but for now the boxing great is get- magazines that would cut his stories, change the title said. ting the documentary treatment in a OXFORD, Miss: The city of Oxford has You can never plan for that level of or rename a character. He might submit a story under success,” said writer and series crea- “Line of Duty” comes at a time two-part ABC News special airing one pen name and discover it was changed to another. adopted new rules limiting how loud mu- sic can be played at downtown venues. tor Jed Mercurio, whose other hits when more questions are being lev- on consecutive Tuesdays. “Mike “A Writer Prepares” captures a pre-Internet, pre- The Oxford Board of Aldermen include the medical drama series eled at police departments about Tyson: The Knockout” promises to superstore business that included such publications as recently approved a sound ordinance “Bodies” and the political thriller their offi cers’ fairness, use of force examine his career and life roller- Manhunt, Trapped and Keyhole, and some institutions amendment related to live and recorded “Bodyguard.” and honesty. coaster and address “pressing ques- that only the most cynical writer would have imagined music, The Oxford Eagle reported. “I think everybody involved in the “I think that what we’ve seen in tions about resilience and reinven- on his own. Block worked briefl y as a copy reader for Before, organizers or business owners show was taken aback and found it a recent years is that people are be- tion.” ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap and the Scott Meredith Literary Agency, whose founder were required to obtain a city permit was as elusive as the ethics of his company.