Elizabeth George is one of the most successful writers of crime fiction in the world. Her twelve novels have appeared on bestseller lists in the UK, USA and Australia, and several of them have been dramatised by BBC Television as the Inspector Lynley Mysteries. She has also written a collection of short stories and edited a crime anthology.Now she shares this wealth of experience with would-be novelists, and with crime fiction fans. Drawing extensively on her own work, and that of other bestselling writers including Stephen King, Harper Lee, Dennis Lehane and many others, she illustrates her points about plotting, characterisation and technique with great clarity. She also includes extracts from her own Journals – the diaries she keeps as she writes each of her novels – and these give us an unprecedented insight into the creative mind, with all its highs and lows.

An inspiring template for any would-be author of fiction from one of the most successful writers of crime fiction in the worldAbout the AuthorElizabeth George is the internationally bestselling author of twenty psychological suspense novels, four young adult novels, two books of non-fiction and two short-story collections. Her work has been honoured with an Anthony Award, an Agatha Award, two Edgar nominations, and both France’s and Germany’s first prize for crime fiction. She has taught creative writing internationally and is the recipient of an honorary doctorate in humane letters and an honorary MFA in creative writing. She lives in Seattle, Washington.ReviewsAn impressively thorough and down-to-earth guide . . . a perfect DIY guide for the determined new novelist . . . deserves to be in print for many years to come. * Terence Blacker, Sunday Times *Indispensable * Mariella Frostrup *’It all adds up to a hugely instructive and practical book’ * Writing Magazine *Book InformationISBN 9780340832097Author Elizabeth GeorgeFormat PaperbackPage Count 304Imprint Hodder PaperbackPublisher Hodder & StoughtonWeight(grams) 214gDimensions(mm) 199mm * 135mm * 20mm