The title of Persia Woolley’s book is quite misleading. There is little in the way of advice on how to actually write, nor is there very much at all about how to sell your work. She does give information on how to deal with the publishing world, but this is very meager indeed. Also, given the rapid changing nature of the book industry, her advice is probably of diminishing usefulness.
The book is divided into three parts. Part one deals with research, Part two: writing and Part three: the business of publishing your work. Throughout this slim volume Woolley states the obvious again and again. Chapter four is a prime example with such redundant sections as “Taking Notes”.
The book is outdated to the point of irritation such as the section on computer versus paper. Not only this, but it is also terribly US-centred, and as Woolley’s advice on how to write is so self evident, if you don’t come from the States there is probably extremely little in the way of practical business knowledge.
Woolley relies on examples to illustrate what theory she does have of writing, rather than actually getting to grips with such issues as characterisation or tension. This is fine so far as it goes, but it isn’t very perceptive, and there are only so many references to the genius of Gone with the Wind that one really needs.
This is a vague and sloppily written book. One or two little tips stand out, but there isn’t really much insight into any stage of the writing or publishing process. I was attracted by the historical fiction tag as that is what I am working on. Don’t be. Plump for a book that deals with writing issues in detail, even if it is not specifically intended to be a guide to this kind of writing. My recommendation would be Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain.
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