Elizabeth George Write Away: One Novelist's Approach to Fiction and

Write Away: One Novelist's Approach to Fiction and the Writing Life

Elizabeth George

HarperCollins, Mar 2004, $24.95, 288 pp.

ISBN: 0060560428

For wannabe authors, best selling writer Elizabeth George provides an easy to follow step by step guide to writing predominantly novels. The tips seem logical and readers will have no problem employing them. Ms. George states that the key element self-discipline is necessary; many potentially talented authors do not take the time to write away, seemingly expecting a divine intervention. Instead Ms. George provides guides with specific examples and from her own journal how to overcome frustrations.

Since this reviewer has no urge to write a book (not out of fear that Harriet Klausner will stop reading before fifty pages are completed or give it three stars, but out of realism that those who can't write review), I did not test the techniques offered to guide the tyro. WRITE AWAY: ONE NOVELIST'S APPROACH TO FICTION AND THE WRITING LIFE appears logical and includes in depth all the key elements needed especially in authoring a novel (characters, prime and supporting plots, background, perspective/voice, and dialogue). This is a solid self help guide for those who want to write a novel and other forms of literature, but Ms. George points out that all the instruction in the world cannot provide discipline and passion. If you don't have the fervor to write or the discipline to sit down and write, this reference book will not provide that elixir, but if you do.

Harriet Klausner