The spider’s writing lesson

Thinking (still) about the spider this week—how every day she rebuilds her web—and how my writing students do the same. Often, they’d like their work to be written more quickly—even though the process requires a more gradual approach. They tell me they have a series in mind or that they’re looking at publishers or self-publishing. This, often before they have a basic story on the page.

A spider can't weave the inside before setting anchor lines for the outer framework. She builds the structure first—radial threads from edge to centre—then walks the frame laying down the sticky spiral that catches prey. The hub, where she rests, comes last.

Often, new writers create the scaffolding then assume the work is over without doing the detail work. The lesson? Watch the spiders. Structure first, then the patient spiral work inward, then rest.