THE CLARKSON DEFECT –
…Read More…: THE CLARKSON DEFECT –How Jeremy Clarkson makes a fool of himself and his readers! It’s not just about Greta. Look, we have all been highly impressed by the fact that a sixteen-year old Swedish girl felt so strongly about the Climate Crisis that she decided to make a stand. And her voice has been heard all around the…
MEGASAGA NEWS – WINNER!
…Read More…: MEGASAGA NEWS – WINNER!At last I can announce – the WINNER! Or rather, I can’t. The BEST MEGASAGA was undoubtedly BLOW by Mr GL, who only wants to be known as Grigor. Those of you who read my blogs regularly will recognise the name, as Grigor frequently comments on my posts. Let me assure you, the judges’ decision…
Intimate Mortality
…Read More…: Intimate MortalityThe next time I speak to you I may be dead. I may not be. At my age, I may be dead any time. I often think I died years ago, this is just a dream. It may appear to be a fairly one-way conversation, but it will be a long one. About 229 pages.…
VILLAINS!… and a PRIZE at the end!
…Read More…: VILLAINS!… and a PRIZE at the end!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, who is at least as believable as the real ones. EXERCISE 1 Marie has run…
Part 5: WHO? Creating believable CHARACTERS!
…Read More…: Part 5: WHO? Creating believable CHARACTERS!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 at a bus stop. Look. Pick a person to look at. Are you looking? Describe:…
WIN £100 FOR 100 WORDS!
…Read More…: WIN £100 FOR 100 WORDS!Welcome to the second great MEGASAGA competition! The entries for the first one were superb, and the winner has enjoyed her £100 prize. (See http://jonelkon.com/the-megasaga-100-goes-to/) THE RULES (Note: these have been slightly adapted since the first competition – it’s a learning curve!) A MEGASAGA is a story of EXACTLY 100 WORDS including the title!…
No Idea?
…Read More…: No Idea?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 and useful. YOU LIAR YOU! As I have written before, a writer of fiction is…
TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS Part 3:
…Read More…: TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS Part 3: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 of the worst jokes on the internet: http://justsomething.co/18-of-the-funniest-jokes-ever-10-is-gold/ Almost every one of them relies on…
Writers write! Feedback on A WRITING EXERCISE
…Read More…: Writers write! Feedback on A WRITING EXERCISEA 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 the end of this blog. Gregor has given me permission to use it as an…
A WRITING EXERCISE – for you!
…Read More…: A WRITING EXERCISE – for you!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 with style, content, and general tips for improvement! WHY am I doing this? I need…