The first good thing about ‘HOW NOT TO WRITE A NOVEL’  is the introduction which gives a real flavour of what is to come.  If you can go through the examples that have been superbly produced and not find something similar to your own writing then you are already published and no doubt a great author.  To you I send my congratulations.  The authors, Sandra Newman and Howard Mittelmark deserve praise for their work on this book.

I found examples that reflected my efforts on at least five occasions.  The book is serious in it’s intent but the humour is always there just below the surface, by necessity.  For me, this will go on my ‘keep handy’ reference shelf along with my ‘Writers’ and Artists’ YEARBOOK’ and others I hold in high esteem.

Importantly for me the contents list is broken down into easy to navigate sections covering Plot, Character, Style (in detail) and useful pointers on Setting, Research and Theme.   I would recommend this book to anyone who is serious about attempting to write a novel.

I will read parts of this book time and again.  I know it will prove to be a timeless Aide Memoire.