Whether you're an established writer or a beginner, whether you see writing as a potential source of income, the road to stardom or as a personally rewarding spare-time occupation, this book will guide you through the writing process from the ideas stage through to the finish-line and on (should you wish) to the threshold of publication. Creative writing is for everyone, whether as a richly rewarding hobby, a means of self-discovery, a vehicle for self-expression or as a possible means of earning a living. The chances of hitting the Sunday Times best-seller list might be slim but if you're serious about developing your talent as a creative writer, if you need ideas and tips for getting your work finished, accepted and published then Creative Writing: The Essential Guide is the book for you. By the end of this book you will be able to use a variety of different prompts for your ideas even when you're not feeling inspired. You'll have a better idea of your strengths and weaknesses as a writer; you'll be able to look at your own work dispassionately and you'll have the skills to edit and improve your work - making it the very best that it can be. You'll also gain important knowledge about the different genres and disciplines of creative writing and - crucially - you'll have an idea of which outlet is the best for your own writing talent. Finally, if your goal is publication, you'll learn about the process of preparing your work ready for submission, including essential tips about style, layout and the etiquette of submitting a manuscript to both an agent and a publisher. Author: Tim Atkinson