Category Archives: Writing Tips

HOW TO PLOT A SHORT STORY – the 3-Act formula that makes it 1, 2, 3! In this article I will cover mainly plot-driven narrative in plotting the Short Story. I will try to show you some ways of approaching…

Donald Trump! Boris Johnson! Jeremy Corbyn! Bolsonaro! Erdogan! Putin! The modern day baddies, at least to half the world. But to the other half? To their mothers? In this tutorial, we will explore how to develop a convincing villain in fiction,…

Exercise: Please have a good look at him or her. Yes, I mean the person in nearest proximity to you right now. If there’s no-one near you right now, go to the park. Hop on a bus or tube. Sit…

Ideas! Where does a writer of fiction get ideas? This is one of the most common questions writers get – in this article I will give you my ideas about ideas. I hope many of these will be eminently practical…

SECRETS, LIES AND SURPRISE! And AIDA!…. What are the basics of a good joke? Start with the ordinary. Then surprise! And people laugh because the unexpected snuck up on them like a sudden feather up the nose. Here are some…

A little while ago I dropped a fantasy/dystopian/horror plot idea on to Facebook and this website, see http://jonelkon.com/a-writing-exercise-for-you/and just wanted to share this one from Grigor, which I think is pretty gruelling, with my comments.  I’ll paste it in at…

ONE WEEK LEFT! Have a go! Don’t be shy! Use all or part! ARE YOU A WRITER? I am offering you the opportunity to develop your skills for FREE with an occasional series of writing exercises. I will help you…