Each clue has a definition, 'fruit' for example. Each answer has a letter removed, however often it appears - the wordplay refers only to the entry. Fruit, having a good stare, could lead to Gape, with there being no wordplay for the R. (The entries aren't all real words, maybe I chose a bad example!). You jot down the removed letter and in clue order they'll lead to a message/statement.
You're welcome, Julie... I realised later that my example wasn't a particularly good one, but it doesn't matter - I'm sure you've grasped it all now, Yes, non-words never look appealing!