A Review By Meg Harper

It’s hard to assess the impact of the Harry Potter phenomenon on the literary world. Certainly opinions on the quality of the writing and plots vary. Certainly, there has been an upsurge in the number of adults wanting to nab a piece of the JK. Rowling cake. I regularly meet people who tell me they’ve got a book up their sleeve. All they lack is time to write it. In fact, the reality is that they also frequently lack the vital skills! For such latent authors, this book is the perfect stocking-filler. Book in hand, they can make a New Year Resolution. They will stop procrastinating and, by next Christmas, will have a least started writing!

The Writing Book is clear and concise and covers the basics of fiction writing in a simple and readable form, well backed up with illustrations from literature. Most are from Australian fiction but that doesn’t matter. Scanning the list of chapter titles, I don’t know what I would add. Do what this book says and you should be well on the way to writing a publishable book.

However…be aware of the author’s dire and serious warning which comes close to the end. Unhappily, I have to agree:

‘The world has enough books and enough writers already, so unless you find writing satisfying, you might as well do something else.’

Nonetheless, I teach many adults who do find writing satisfying and a real joy – and this book is a great starting point for any would-be author.

Meg Harper – author and creative writing teacher.