Helpful information to get me started on the Mail Cryptic

[noviceman1]

Can anyone suggest any helpful reading that they can recommend to get me moving on the Mail cryptic crossword please.

[shooty]

If you are asking on tips for improving yourself with the Mail Xword.

1. Buy and try.
2 watch how people parse on here, you will soon learn and improve.
3 You wil pick up tips on parsing in time. There is a lot to learn as I am still finding.

[ladyalex]

How to Crack the Cryptic Crossword by Val Gilbert has a lot of good suggestions, hints and tips.
She used to be the Crossword Editor for the Daily Telegraph.

[ladyalex]

Meant to say, you can also have a look at Big Dave's site. He gives clues and aolutions for the Telegraph crosswords, but also has very good sections explaining how cryptics work.
bigdave44.com should get you to him.

[shooty]

Ps, welcome to AB novieman1. This really is a great place to advance your parsing skills. Stick around, It can get quite addictive. : )

[elliemay1]

If you still can't get started give us some of the clues and we'll help if we can.

[shooty]

Good point elliemay1, but please read through this first noviceman.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Quizzes-and-Puzzles/article/etiquette-for-asking-a-quiz-puzzle-or-crossword-question/

[noviceman1]

Big apologies I have had a chapter of events that has prevented me answering sooner.
What a great crowd you are, i have taken up one or two of your suggestions already and i look forward to playing an active part in this great web site.