These books are excellent. They made me laugh out loud as well as providing lots of very useful information and inspiration. They’re written in a very easy to read manner and I couldn’t put them down. These are the books that I picked up when I first had the idea for the novel I am currently working on and wanted some advice and encouragement. They gave me the inspiration and belief to give it a go and I will always be grateful for that. I realise how hard it is to get published but these books reminded me of the sheer joy of getting all those characters and plotlines that swirl endlessly round my head onto paper. Sheer hard slog but so worth it even if it never sees the light of day. The first book is more about the life of a writer and the nuts and bolts of getting down to the actual craft. The second deals with the problem of how to get your book “out there” – the marketing, the publicity, the self-publicizing that is essential if you want to sell your book to anyone other than your great Aunt Martha. If you want to write and need something to motivate you in a fun and friendly way these are the books for you. After that, get on with the writing! 5/5